The number of legal aid cases in Clare’s courts has fallen by more than 84% amid the new payment scheme for solicitors.
Since the flat €520 fee was introduced in July , just 30 legal aid certificates have been issued in Clare, compared to 187 in the same month last year.
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Previously solicitors received €240 for a first appearance, and received €60 for every subsequent court sitting.
Cathy McDarby from McDarby and Co Solicitors says the new system is flawed and will hurt vulnerable defendants the most.
Listen to the full interview here
