IPRT Letter to the Minister for Justice regarding the proposed reform of the District Court Criminal Legal Aid Scheme

3rd June 2026

IPRT has written to the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, outlining significant concerns about the proposed reform of the District Court Criminal Legal Aid scheme, particularly the replacement of the current fee‑per‑appearance model with a flat fee. We warn that such a model would, in practice, cap the level of legal representation available to an accused person and risk undermining the right to a fair trial.

In our letter, we highlight the likely disproportionate impact on vulnerable defendants, including people experiencing addiction, mental ill‑health, homelessness or language barriers, whose cases often require repeated court appearances and sustained engagement. We emphasise that District Court proceedings frequently involve complex underlying needs and that a flat fee structure does not reflect the realities of this work.

We also raise concerns about the implications for bail hearings and remand cases, where statutory requirements lead to frequent court appearances and where adequate legal representation is essential. At a time when the availability of criminal defence solicitors is already at crisis point, we are concerned that the proposed model risks further reducing practitioner participation, particularly in complex or time‑intensive cases.

Finally, we note that the Department’s review appears to rely on a limited desk‑based assessment and does not adequately reflect the lived realities of District Court practice. We urge meaningful engagement with practitioners and other stakeholders before any reforms proceed.

Read the IPRT Letter on the Proposed Reform of the District Court Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.