Irish criminal lawyers to strike in July due to salary dispute – JURIST

The Bar Council of Ireland on Saturday announced a strike for three dates next month due to a lack of progress on restoring salaries. The council has recommended its members in criminal law practice to walk out on July 9, 15 and 24. This is a step up from the action taken by lawyers last October, when they held their first ever strike to demand that the government reverse cuts to funding for criminal legal aid.

According to the Irish Bar Association, following cuts during the recession (FEMPI cuts), fees paid by the State to criminal defence lawyers were more than 40 per cent below 2002 levels in real terms. Although a 2018 government-commissioned review confirmed that the reversal of these cuts was justified, they have not been fully recovered.

Although the Government announced a 10% increase in fees as part of this year’s budget, the Irish Bar Association said the profession was still subject to the full impact of FEMPI-era cuts. In addition, linkage to public sector collective agreements was severed in 2008 and has still not been restored. A promised review process into the structure and level of criminal defence lawyers’ fees has not yet been initiated, contributing to growing frustration among practitioners.

Sara Phelan SC, chair of the Bar Council of Ireland, said the council had informed both the government and its members that it was prepared to give until 30 June to complete the review proposed by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

Sean Guerin SC, Chairman of the Criminal State Bar Committee, noted that the ongoing pay issue could affect recruitment and retention of staff at the Criminal Bar and have implications for the administration of criminal justice.

Before October 2023, the council attempted to negotiate a reform of the legal system with the government. The council organized a one-day strike after failing to reach a solution with the government. The October withdrawal is believed to have affected 147 court hearings, 182 verdicts and 46 other related legal proceedings.