Protests will be held at 16 courthouses on Tuesday, with further withdrawals of services on July 15th and July 24thBar council chairwoman says the recommendation for another withdrawal of services is made 'with regret' but barristers are 'left with no choice'. Photograph: Getty Images
They want the unwinding of all recession-era cuts still applicable to them and an “independent, meaningful, time-limited and binding mechanism” to determine fees paid by the Director of Public Prosecutions and under the Criminal Justice Scheme.
A failure to invest in the criminal justice system would result in continued attrition at the criminal bar, in turn adding to delays in the criminal justice system, Ms Phelan said. “The ball is in the Government’s court now.” On Monday the Department of Justice reiterated that position to The Irish Times and said the recommendation for withdrawal of services “is regretted”.
Earnings of criminal barristers vary widely. The top 10 senior counsel earners in 2023 were all paid more than €340,000, with Michael Bowman SC in first position with earnings of €772,911. The top 10 junior counsel earners ranged from barrister Luigi Rea, paid €202,666, to barrister Keith Spencer, who earned €765,954.