The Criminal Courts of Justice complex in Parkgate St was quiet today as most lawyers withdrew from cases in the District and Circuit criminal courts.
The only cases that were heard were those involving people in custody or threatened with remanding in custody. Running cases were adjourned until tomorrow, with listed cases that had not started adjourned until next week or the New Year.
The withdrawal of service was organised by the newly formed Criminal Law Practitioners Organisation, and was in support of a demand for a meeting with the Minister for Justice to discuss cuts to the free legal aid scheme. It is not supported by the Law Society or the Bar Council.
A spokesman for the group, Dara Robinson, told The Irish Times there was a lot of waste in the criminal legal system which could be greatly reduced by reform of the way in which it operated. This would involve the Department of Justice, the Courts Service, the gardai and practitioners working together to ensure cases went on when listed.
He pointed out that last year more was spent on Garda overtime for cases that did not go ahead on the day planned than on all the barristers who prosecute on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, said the money spent on legal aid was the key issue. “This action is unnecessary and irresponsible,” he said. He said significant sums were earned from the legal aid scheme by a number of lawyers, though he acknowledged this was not true of a substantial number.
“I am surprised no action has been taken by the Bar Council or the Law Society,” he said. “A lawyer has an obligation to properly represent his client, not to walk into court and say he is withdrawing his services.”
He said he had received a letter from the group seeking a meeting, and had responded asking for its proposals on reducing costs, which he had not received.