Gilmore has no problem with ‘one stop shop’ legal proposals

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has said he has no problems with Minister for Justice Alan Shatter’s proposals to create one-stop-shops in which solicitors and barristers could work together along with other professionals like accountants.

Mr Gilmore and Mr Shatter clashed at Cabinet before Christmas over proposals for multidisciplinary practices, with the Labour leader expressing opposition to the move.

However, speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Gilmore said there is "nothing wrong" with such practices, saying: "I agree with it."

He added that some areas of Mr Shatter’s proposals need to be teased out and discussed before they could pass Cabinet.

Mr Shatter was furious with Mr Gilmore over his opposition before Christmas, when Labour said multidisciplinary practices were the only area they had concerns in the Legal Services Bill.

The party claimed potential conflicts of interest could arise if lawyers and accountants in the one office were advising the same clients.

It was also claimed the practices could “lead to the consolidation of large legal firms to the detriment of smaller ones” as well as having a serious effect “over access to justice”.