Thirty solicitors struck off over last decade

THIRTY SOLICITORS have been struck off in the past decade, according to Minister for Justice Alan Shatter.

No barrister has been disbarred for professional misconduct during this period, Mr Shatter said in answer to a Dáil question.

More solicitors have been struck off in the past two years than were struck off in the eight years before 2009, the Minister told Labour TD Anne Ferris.

Ms Ferris expressed astonishment no barrister had been disbarred from practising law in the past decade. “Are the public seriously meant to believe that there has been no professional misconduct by barristers that would result in disbarment over this long period?” she asked.

Self-regulation of the legal profession was not working, she claimed, noting about 90 barristers were disbarred, suspended or reprimanded in the UK over the same period. She called for Competition Authority recommendations to be implemented, including the setting up of an independent legal services commission.

“Other recommendations include the creation of an independent body to oversee the training of both professions, and reform of assessing how legal costs are calculated. Furthermore, allowing barristers to form business partnerships and permitting unlimited direct access to barristers is clearly needed.”

Ms Ferris called for substantial and meaningful reform in the Legal Services Bill, which the Government plans to publish shortly.

Mr Shatter said the figures on the striking off and disbarment of lawyers came from the Law Society and Bar Council.