The Department of Justice has agreed that senior lawyers can now be paid up to €225 an hour to review disclosure in criminal cases involving large amounts of material. But the fact defence lawyers were usually unable to claim fees for reviewing the material, even where it was voluminous, gave rise to fears crucial evidence might be missed, potentially leading to miscarriages of justice. Documentary junior counsel will be able to claim €72 an hour for reviewing disclosure materials. Instructing solicitors will have to get prior sanction from the department’s criminal legal aid unit or disclosure review fees will not be paid, while the review of disclosure which is not deemed significant will not be covered. Earlier this year it released figures showing that two-thirds of barristers who start out practising criminal law end up leaving within six years.

Source: Irish Independent September 22, 2021 06:45 UTC