asked the Minister for Justice if he will state, in relation to payments made to the five solicitors (details supplied) earning the highest fees under the criminal legal aid scheme for the tax year ended 5 April 1985: (1) the number of cases dealt with by each of these solicitors; (2) the number of adjournments for which each solicitor was paid a fee; (3) the fee per adjournment; and (4) the number of cases in which each solicitor appeared on behalf of: (a) the prosecution and (b) the defence.
Written Answers. - Solicitor's Fees.
186.
Limerick East): It would require a disproportionate expenditure of public time and money to compile the information sought in regard to the number of cases dealt with by the five solicitors mentioned in the question during the tax year ended 5 April 1985 or the number of adjournments in those cases for which each solicitor was paid a fee.
In regard to (3), the fees paid to solicitors under the criminal legal aid scheme in District Court cases are for attendance by the solicitor and are payable if the solicitor appears, whether the case is heard or is adjourned. On 6th April 1984 the fee, exclusive of VAT, for the first day of appearance by a solicitor in a District Court case was £39.43 — and for each subsequent appearance, £17.53. These fees were increased to £42.58 and £18.93, respectively, with effect from 1 September 1984.
Defending solicitors fees in criminal legal aid cases in the higher courts are related to the fees which the Director of Public Prosecution considers appropriate to be paid to prosecuting counsel in the particular case in question. Adjournments are rare. In regard to (4) all fees under the criminal legal aid scheme are for the defence.