BARRISTERS HANDLING criminal cases are to have their fees cut by 8 per cent from today by the Director of Public Prosecutions as part of the Government’s cost-cutting measures.
The reductions apply first to prosecuting lawyers hired by the DPP, but will automatically cut fees paid to defence lawyers hired under the Free Legal Aid Scheme – which pays for 90 per cent of all defences.
The move comes as figures show the State last year paid barristers and solicitors in excess of €53 million through the criminal legal aid scheme – an 18.6 per cent rise on the sum paid out in 2007.
Figures released through the Freedom of Information Act show that 763 solicitors received €33.35 million in total – an increase of 21 per cent on the €27.6 million received in 2007.
They show that 544 barristers received €19.66 million last year – an increase of 15 per cent on the €17.1 million received in 2007.
The €53 million last year is €8.3 million more than the €44.7 million paid in 2007, and almost double the €26.7 million paid through the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme in 2004.
The 18.6 per cent jump in legal aid payments last year follows the Government’s having agreed to increases in lawyers’ fees of 2.5 per cent arising from the National Wage Agreement from March 1st, 2008.
As a result, senior counsel received an increased “brief fee” of €9,357 for taking on murder cases in the Central Criminal Court. This covers preparatory work and the first day in court. Rates show that for each subsequent day, senior counsel receive a “refresher fee” of €2,051.
Fine Gael Justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan TD said: “I have no issue with the fees paid. What I do have an issue on is with the people before the courts that do qualify for legal aid and the ease with which they qualify.”
He said: “I believe that there needs to be greater scrutiny at district court level when applications for legal aid are being made – and too many gangland bosses are availing of legal aid.”
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said: “Services provided by solicitors and barristers will be subject to the reduced rates. It is anticipated that overall savings under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme in 2009 will be in the order of €3 million.”
In an e-mail to barristers on Friday, a DPP official said: “This office has received instructions from the Department of Finance that as and from 1 March, 2009 this office must deduct 8 per cent from fees paid to counsel. This deduction will apply to services to be rendered on or after that date.”
The cuts are part of the Government drive to save €67 million on professional fees – legal, medical, veterinary and others – this year, and €80 million in a full year.
Solicitors: Top 10 earnersStaines, Michael J €1.35 million
Quinn, John M €1.18 million
Bambury, Yvonne €1.1 million
Buttimer, Frank €945,760
Hanahoe, Michael E €925,496
Feaheney, John E €866,594
O’Higgins, Cahir €669,084
Hannon, Michael P €642,831
Flynn, Aine €620,922
Hanahoe, Terence €562,355
Barristers: Top 10 earners
McInerney, Brian €437,479
Rea, Luigi €369,952
O’Carroll, Blaise A €362,149
Gillane, Seán €321,639
Giblin, Martin €306,027
Bowman, Michael J €277,509
O’Leary, Timothy €274,391
Gageby, Patrick €266,620
Biggs, Caroline €266,129
O Lideadha, Giollaoisa €256,528