Mayo solicitors stage walk-out in protest at proposed legal aid reforms

Mayo solicitors say that if reforms come in on July 1 it will result in less solicitors practicing in rural areas

By Anton McNulty Published 17th Jun 2026, 13:36 BST Mayo solicitors staged walk out in protest at legal aid reforms | File pic Mayo solicitors say that if reforms come in on July 1 it will result in less solicitors practicing in rural areas Sign up to our Mayo Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Mayo Live within your account.

MAYO solicitors withdrew their services and staged a walk-out from Castlebar District Court this morning in protest at proposed legal aid reforms.

The Department of Justice intends to introduce a reform of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme on July 1 which will see the current fee structure being replaced with a flat fee covering a fixed number of court appearances.

Currently, a solicitor is paid for each court appearance, starting at €239.38, and then €59.86 for each subsequent hearing but a new set fee of €455 will be payable regardless of how many court appearances there are.

The proposals have been described by the Law Society as a cost-cutting measure presented as reform and this morning Mayo solicitors withdrew their services in protest.

Gary Mulchrone, President of the Mayo Solicitors/Bar Association was the first to inform Judge Michael Connellan in Castlebar District Court that he would be withdrawing his services in protest at the proposals reforms.

He was immediately followed by Cathy McDarby who said she too was withdrawing her services while solicitors Aileen Feely, Dermot Morahan and David Scott all followed suit.

As a result of the withdrawal of services, people who had been summoned to court were informed that all cases were being adjourned en bloc to October 21.

Speaking following the walk-out, Mr Mulchrone said that similar walk-outs occurred in a number of courtrooms across the country and claimed there is 'visceral anger' among many in his profession that the reforms were introduced without meaningful engagement with solicitors.

He said that withdrawing his services was a last resort but showed the feeling among solicitors who are opposed to the reforms.

“It goes against every fibre of my being to have to walk out and take a stand and withdraw my professional services from the court. My ethical commitment is always to represent my clients and service the court to the best of my ability and having to take this action today has been extremely tough and is very much a last resort.

“I would ask the Minister and the Department to reflect and pause and engage and suspend the commencement of this on the first of July because if this comes in I feel many solicitors similar to me will simply leave the legal aid panel and not be in a position to do this work anymore. That will create an immediate crisis in the justice system across the country.

“What happened today will stay for the reasonable future unless we hear from the Minister and the Department that there is going to be some meaningful engagement with our representative body,” he said.

Ballinrobe-based solicitor Cathy McDarby said that the decision to withdraw services was made individually by each solicitor and not on a collective basis. She said she would happily see the court working in a more efficient manner but believes the proposed reforms are a 'strike at the most vulnerable people'.

She also pointed out that the number of solicitors practicising in towns around Mayo has decreased in the last decade and these reforms will make it harder for young solicitors to practice in rural towns.

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“I got a message from a solicitor telling me he moved from a commercial firm in Dublin and moved home to work in legal aid. He informed me if cuts go through he will have to leave home where he wants to be.”

Ms McDarby said there is a misconception that solicitors adjourn cases in order to make money and claimed that the majority of adjournments are requested by the State.

Mr Mulchrone also said that the idea that solicitors were fleecing the system could be nothing further from the truth.

“I wish people would see the reality of it. It is extremely poorly paid and we are doing the work because we enjoy it. To be honest it is a lot like a vocation and if anybody has the impression that a solicitor is fleecing the system needs to look at different areas of costs in the legal system which are out of control. The legal aid budget is extraordinarily modest and is excellent value for money and I can say that all day long,” he said.