The body representing barristers has called on the Government to restore fees paid to criminal practitioners following an exodus from the profession. Figures reveal two-thirds of barristers who start out practising criminal law end up leaving within six years. The Bar has ramped up a longstanding campaign to restore fees, writing to every TD and senator in the Oireachtas in recent weeks. Dara Hayes BL, chair of the Criminal State Bar Committee, told the Irish Independent the drop off rate was now about twice as high for barristers in criminal law compared to those who concentrated on civil work. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform said requests from The Bar of Ireland for restoration of fees to criminal barristers were “under consideration” and would be “examined further in the context of wider public pay policy and expenditure implications”.

Source: Irish Independent June 10, 2021 01:30 UTC