The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD met with the Law Society of Ireland on Monday, 27 July 2026 where he listened to the issues raised by criminal practitioners regarding the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme which commenced on 01 July 2026.
The Minister has now issued correspondence to the Law Society confirming that the flat fee
of €520 for District Court criminal legal aid cases will remain in place. However, arising out of the engagement with the Law Society, the Minister has agreed to have the payment of the flat fee split to allow for two thirds of the fee to be paid at the commencement of a case with the remaining third to be paid at the end of the case or after 12 months of the commencement of the case, whichever is the first in time. This has no cost implications for the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.The Minister also confirmed that the new Criminal Legal Aid Scheme allows for a new certificate to issue for an accused person where the charges arising are distinct and separate to any court appearance made by that person previously.
The Minister has asked his officials to keep an ongoing review of the operation of the new District Court Scheme in the Children’s Court and for cases where over twenty appearances are required over the coming six months to inform any changes that may be required within these limited circumstances.
Finally, the Minister confirmed that any criminal legal aid solicitor who has resigned from the panel but now wants to be reinstated arising from the above clarification will be able to do so without delay by requesting same from the Court Service.
The Minister is committed to improving the efficiencies for court users, legal practitioners and the Irish public. The new District Court Criminal Legal Aid Scheme will allow for those efficiencies.
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