Legal aid dispute expected to disrupt upcoming circuit court sittings

The ongoing legal aid dispute is expected to cause significant disruptions in Trim Circuit Court, as a new term of sittings began on October 20 without resolution.

The withdrawal of legal aid services from solicitors amid the dispute means that there are significant numbers of people who are seeing their cases repeatedly adjourned in the hope of a resolution.

In Trim Circuit Court on October 20, it was made clear by a number of solicitors that they remained on strike and they were unable to act until a resolution had been made.

Judge John Martin acknowledged the strike, but did tell present solicitors that they are legally required to represent their defendants who are in custody, under the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, Section 215. Solicitors can only withdraw under leave of the court after making an application.

Judge Martin described it as an “absolutely impossible position”, but he “must uphold the law”. He added, “My hands are tied. I either breach the law, and create tension by doing so, or I uphold the law, and create a different tension. It’s a very difficult situation.”