Dispute over legal aid fees

The plan to hold trials in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court during the last two weeks of September is in doubt because of a dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice over the late payment of fees under the legal aid scheme. On July 18th, the outgoing chairman of the Bar Council, Mr James Nugent, asked Judge Kieran O'Connor not to put any case seeking trial into yesterday's list. Mr Nugent said contacts were continuing with the Department on formulating a new scheme.