Barristers and solicitors were paid almost €28 million in fees last year by the Legal Aid Board and under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, according to new figures obtained by The Irish Times.
The three biggest payments were received by Dublin-based solicitors working under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.
Mr Terence Lyons received just over €1 million. That was followed by Mr Michael Staines on €921,429 and Mr John Quinn on €445,200.
The most significant trend was a 73 per cent increase in fees paid to legal teams by the Legal Aid Board, according to the board's provisional figures for the year. The total amount paid out to barristers and solicitors by the board in 2002 was just over €5.4 million, compared with €3.1 million in 2001.
Solicitors were paid fees in excess of €2.1 million, more than treble the €692,986 they received in 2001 and almost 10 times the €226,058 they were paid in 2000.
Barristers have also enjoyed a significant increase in monies received from the Legal Aid Board. In 2002 they were paid €3.3 million, compared with €2.4 million in 2001 and just under €2 million in 2000.
A spokesman for the Legal Aid Board said the increase in monies paid out last year could be accounted for by a number of factors. Counsel fees had increased in the period and the Legal Aid Board's 30 legal centres around the country had taken on more cases than ever during the year.
"The practice of using private practitioners (solicitors) was also extended from Dublin to other parts of the country. Money paid under the extended scheme accounts for a fairly significant amount in overall fees paid out last year," said a spokesman.
Because there can be a lengthy time lag between when a case goes ahead and when fees are paid, the 2002 amount includes payment for some cases which went ahead in 2001.
While the board employs its own solicitors, private practitioners are also used in order to process cases as quickly as possible and keep waiting lists to a minimum, the spokesman added.
The bulk of the monies paid by the Legal Aid Board were received by barristers working on civil cases.
That work accounted for €2.85 million. Solicitors working on civil cases were paid €600,782. Barristers working on refugee cases received €453,324 with solicitors receiving just under €1.5 million.
The biggest payment by the Legal Aid Board in 2002 was to the Dublin firm of solicitors, James M Sweeney & Co. The Phibsboro group received €138,031. That was followed by Ms Deirdre Kennedy BL on €116,863 and Ms Marian McDonnell BL on €103,916. Ms Jane Barron BL was next on €102,179 with Mr Colman Fitzgerald BL the fifth highest paid recipient on €101,647.
However, the most substantial sums were reserved for firms of solicitors working under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme. Barristers working under that scheme also fared well and were paid much more than their counterparts working for the Legal Aid Board.
After the top three recipients - Mr Terence Lyons, Mr Michael Staines and Mr John Quinn - Mr Terence Hanahoe and Mr Michael Hanahoe earned most.
Mr Terence Hanahoe was paid €384,928 with Mr Michael Hanahoe receiving almost the same amount, €384,803. Between them, the five highest-paid solicitors shared almost €3.3 million in fees during last year.
The highest earning barrister under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme was Mr Luigi Rea. He was paid €323,209, more than twice as much as the highest earning barrister working for the Legal Aid Board.
Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC was the second highest earner receiving €303,309 for his efforts. He was followed by Mr Barry White SC (€240,423). Seven of the top 10 highest earning barristers were paid more than €200,000 under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.
LEGAL AID PAYMENTS:
Payments to barristers and solicitors from Legal Aid Board*
(1) James M Sweeney & Co 138,031
(2) Deirdre Kennedy BL116,863
(3) Marian McDonnell BL 103,916
(4) Jane Barron BL 102,179
(5) Colman Fitzgerald BL 101,647
(6) Gerard Durcan SC 95,108
(7) Sean Mulvihill & Co 84,327
(8) Jim Richardson BL 82,213
(9) John A McCormack BL 81,195
(10) Shane F McCarthy & Co 77,115
* Provisional figures
Payments to barristers under the Criminal Legal Aid scheme
(1) Luigi Rea BL €323,209
(2) Blaise A O'Carroll SC 303,309
(3) Barry White SC240,423
(4) John Phelan SC 236,354
(5) Sean Gillane BL 223,074
(6) Anthony Sammon SC 210,539
(7) Patrick Gageby SC 200,310
(8) Hugh John Harnett SC 195,910
(9) Thomas Creed SC 193,288
(10) Bernard Condon BL185,134
Payments to solicitors under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme
(1) Terence Lyons 1,038,787
(2) Michael Staines 921,429
(3) John Quinn 445,200
(4) Terence Hanahoe 384,928
(5) Michael Hanahoe 384,803
(6) Garrett Sheehan 375,561
(7) John Feaheny 356,864
(8) Frank Buttimer 345,098
(9) Philip Hannon 309,446
(10) Ted McCarthy 237,654
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