The changes are due to be introduced by the Department of Justice from 1 July 2026. Officials from the Department of Justice were invited to the meeting but did not attend.

The meeting was convened by the Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee and follows publication of findings of a survey of more than 200 criminal law solicitors, which showed deep concern about the plan to replace the current appearance-based system with a flat-fee model for District Court criminal cases.

In the survey, solicitors highlighted that the proposed changes would make it harder for defendants, particularly vulnerable defendants, to secure representation and would lead to delays in trials.

The findings send a clear message to the Department of Justice that criminal law solicitors do not believe the proposed model is fair, workable or sustainable.

Solicitor and chair of the Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee, Shane McCarthy, said: “The turnout of over 150 criminal law solicitors from around the country at Blackhall Place today is a clear sign of the depth of concern and frustration within the profession about these proposed changes to criminal legal aid. 

“Solicitors have come together because they believe this new flat-fee model is unworkable in practice and risks doing real damage to access to justice. This level of engagement shows that these concerns are serious, widely shared and cannot be dismissed.

“What we are hearing from practitioners – who came to Dublin from all over Ireland today - is that these proposals would lead to practitioners no longer taking on District Court legal aid work, with inevitable consequences for defendants, the courts and the wider justice system. 

“Solicitors welcome real reform, but these proposals are a cost-cutting measure dressed up as reform. Practitioners are raising legitimate concerns based on the realities of how this work is done every day, and the Department of Justice needs to address the serious concerns of solicitors before pressing ahead with changes that will have lasting and harmful effects.”