Laois solicitors accept new legal aid terms - Courts - Laois Nationalist

Solicitors in Laois met and agreed to drop their opposition to it and agreed to accept the new flat fee payment

SOLICITORS in Laois who had withdrawn their services from the criminal the Legal Aid scheme because of the introduction of a new payment scheme by the Department of Justice dropped their opposition to it and returned to work when the new court term commenced yesterday (Thursday).

Their opposition to the new fees had caused significant disruption to the workings of the district court, with many of the cases due to be conducted through free legal not being heard and having to be adjourned to a later date.

While solicitors in Dublin continue their opposition to the new payment scheme, solicitors in Laois met and agreed to drop their opposition to it and agreed to accept the new flat fee payment of €520 per client.

Under the old Free Legal Aid scheme, solicitors had previously received a flat fee of €200 for a first appearance of a defendant and a further €60 for every subsequent appearance.

There was a packed courthouse in Portlaoise when the new term commenced yesterday following the summer recess, with Judge Andrew Cody dealing with more than 140 cases and proceedings concluding at 7pm.