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8% increase in criminal legal aid fees comes into effect
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An 8% increase in fees paid to barristers and solicitors under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme came into effect today (1 January), as announced in Budget 2025 on 1 October. This represents an increase of €9 million in funding for criminal legal aid and is in addition to the 10% increase secured in Budget 2024.
Speaking about the increase, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said:
“I am delighted to have been able to make further progress in restoring criminal legal aid fees. The past two years have seen an 18% increase in the fees paid under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme to ensure that the vital profession of criminal law remains attractive to the legal profession.
“I would like to express my appreciation for the ongoing co-operation of the Bar Council and Law Society with my department and look forward to continued engagement with both representative bodies, and all stakeholders, on the reform of Criminal Legal Aid, including the modernisation and funding structure of the scheme. This continued engagement is essential to ensuring we have an effective legal system.”