The Courts Service said 55 solicitors had left the panel since justice minister Jim O’Callaghan’s new €520 fixed fee for representing legally aided clients in criminal cases came into force on 1 July. Of the 885 solicitors on the panel when the changes took effect, 55 had resigned by Tuesday.

The Law Society of Ireland and The Bar of Ireland have criticised the reforms, accusing the minister of failing to properly consult the profession.

Law Society president Rosemarie Loftus warned the changes would create “legal deserts”, particularly in rural areas, where few solicitors would be willing to undertake legal aid work.

Under the previous system, solicitors received €239.38 for a first court appearance and €59.86 for each subsequent appearance.

Mr O’Callaghan defended the reforms, arguing the existing system encouraged unnecessary adjournments and describing the new €520 fee as “a very generous fee”. He said the changes also restored a previous eight per cent reduction in criminal legal aid fees.

Spending on criminal legal aid in the District Court has risen from €19 million in 2015 to €37 million in 2024.