Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey has urged the justice minister to restore criminal legal aid rates.
The party’s justice spokesperson said:
“The justice minister’s announcement today that criminal legal aid fees will be increased by 16% is welcome, although unfortunately this goes nowhere near far enough to fixing the problem.
“We would urge the justice minister to re-engage with the Solicitors Criminal Bar Association to restore criminal legal aid rates. This organisation has described the system as ‘beyond broken’, which is extremely worrying and demands urgent attention.
“The lack of increased fees for criminal legal aid work has put continued stress on our solicitor firms who are struggling to recruit lawyers as a result.
“Without immediate action, the criminal justice system will continue to face serious issues, including potential collapse.”
