Consultation on second statutory review of the 2009 Magistrates’ and County Court Appeal Rules

The Magistrates’ Courts and County Court Appeals (Criminal Legal Aid) (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009 (“the 2009 Rules”) prescribe the remuneration for solicitors and counsel representing defendants in publicly funded criminal cases in the magistrates’ courts and on appeal to the County Court.   Rule 16 requires the Department of Justice (DoJ) to conduct a formal review of the levels of the prescribed fees and rates of payment under the 2009 Rules every three years.  These documents set out the findings of the second formal review of the 2009 Rules.