The move aims to increase oversight of the scheme and reduce the amount paid by the government in cases where individuals are able to contribute to their own legal costs.
CRIMINAL LEGAL AID can be withdrawn or cut from applicants as part of a ream of reforms published today by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne.
Some applications may be subject to further assessment by the Legal Aid Board, which has had its remit extended. It will still be open to the court to amend the terms on which legal aid is granted, for example on objection by the prosecution, or where the person in receipt of legal aid has not co-operated with the court or with the Board.On the whole, the new legislation will formalise existing procedures and strengthen controls “where that is warranted”, the Department of Justice has said.
“But it is also important that proper assessments are carried out when deciding if a person can qualify for Criminal Legal Aid. It will also allow for legal advice to be granted to a parent, guardian or other responsible adult in certain cases. This would not apply if the parent or other responsible adult is the suspected or alleged offender.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bill to expand legal advice services for victims of crime, but tighten eligibility for legal aidMinister for Justice says ‘proper assessments’ must be carried out for criminal legal aid
Read more »
Decision to strike reflects the frustration of barristers – Sara Phelan, chair of Bar CouncilThe representative body has called for action as part of an ongoing dispute over reductions to legal fees in criminal cases made during the recession
Read more »
Woman calls for support and guidance for pair accused of stabbing her son 14 timesCentral Criminal Court hears evidence one of the attackers bragged about stabbing the victim, described himself as a ‘gangster’
Read more »
Donald Trump says he expects to be arrested over Capitol Riots in January 2021Trump has already been indicted over his handling of classified documents, the first former US president to face federal criminal charges.
Read more »
Medical negligence claims make up majority of state’s €5bn legal liabilitiesFigures from the State Claims Agency show health constitutes 78 per cent of financial budget despite accounting for only 35 per cent of cases
Read more »
‘Few practise law for fun, fame or philanthropy’: Ireland’s legal costs problemCrippling legal costs in Ireland have been the subject of six major reports in the past 20 years, but in some cases eye-watering fees actually represent value for money
Read more »