The Law Society said unequal access to justice is 'failing to meet the needs of many in Irish society'. Photograph: Tom Honan
Among its key demands the expansion of access to civil legal aid, with the Law Society saying unequal access to justice is “failing to meet the needs of many in Irish society.” Separately, it said the criminal legal aid system is in “crisis”, with many practitioners leaving the profession to work in other areas as the remuneration provided is not commensurate with the role’s demands. It said solicitors’ fees were cut by almost 30 per cent during the financial crash more than a decade ago and have not been reviewed since.
The Law Society is also calling for targeted supports to facilitate new pathways and access to legal qualifications including SUSI grant support for hybrid programmes and the development of a new apprenticeship model for solicitor training.