Intent: Alternative arrangements pending enactment of the Bill to allow senor judiciary to take responsibility for the Book of Quantum
Details: Judicial Council Bill and personal injury awards
Intent: Streamline and expedite decisions on judicial review challenges to planning consents
Details: Reforms to the judicial review and high court appeals system
Intent: To resolve the operational impasse to apply parity to defence counsel
Details: Criminal Legal Aid Scheme - High Court Bail Fees and clarification of process for application of parity for defence counsel
Intent: To discuss the issues to be addressed in family law in the context of Brexit
Details: Meeting with the Department of Justice & Equality in relation to the impact of Brexit on Family Law matters
Intent: Raise the issue of restoration of professional fee cuts applied to barristers under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme operated by the Department of Justice & Equality::Raise concerns in relation to security in Court Houses::Assess progress on implementing the initiative to promote Ireland as a leading centre globally for international legal services
Details: Annual Meeting between The Bar of Ireland and the Minister for Justice & Equality
Intent: Unilateral cuts to rates paid to solicitors were included in revised terms and conditions, that members were given no opportunity to provide commentary or to communicate what the impact will be on debtors before the Courts.::Practitioners in the area of Section 115A wish to continue to practice, however such cuts makes in increasingly difficult.::Automatic right by a debtor to a Junior Counsel has been withdrawn from the revised terms and conditions, placing them at a disadvantage against financial institutions. This inequality of arms gives rise to grave public interest concerns.
Details: Legal representation for appeals under Section 115A Insolvency Act - rates paid to solicitors and PIPs cut by 33% - 80%
Intent: Raise matters of interest to our organisation.
Details: Update on FLAC's policy areas.
Intent: The Society outlined a series of actions and reforms to the Criminal Aid Scheme to improve efficiencies, assist with Scheme users, Gardai and other agencies, as well as legal practitioners.:::Electronic transfer of court documents for all court cases::Expand and develop further supports for the use of video link facilities for prisons::Extend the centralised custody case system::Develop a more formal pre-trial system for hearings::More efficient scheduling of interviews in garda stations, when feasible::Harness the experience of solicitors practising criminal law when developing efficiency measures and innovation
Details: Submission to the Department of Justice on recommendations for achieving efficiencies in the criminal justice system and criminal legal aid.
Intent: To expedite passage of the Judicial Council Bill::Alignment of awards with those of the UK’s Judicial College::Put in place temporary arrangements whereby de facto responsibility for determining guidance amounts can transfer to the judiciary in advance of the Judicial Council being formally established
Details: Personal Injury Awards and Insurance costs
Intent: Streamline and expedite decisions on judicial review challenges to planning consents
Details: Reforms to the judicial review and high court appeals system
