Ford welcomes resolution to legal aid dispute
Date published:
Justice Minister David Ford has welcomed a resolution to the Legal Aid dispute.
In a joint statement, The Law Society, Bar Council and the Department of Justice said: “We are pleased to report that an agreement has been reached following a mediation process in respect of the level of cuts under the Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2015.
"All parties have worked to achieve this outcome in the interests of ensuring the continued effective and efficient operation of the criminal justice system in this jurisdiction. These arrangements will ensure the immediate restoration of representation for defendants in the Crown Court in Northern Ireland."
The Bar Council and the Solicitors’ Criminal Bar Association have confirmed that their members will resume representation of defendants in the Crown Court tomorrow, Friday 12th February 2016.
David Ford said: “I would like to thank all those involved in the mediation process for their energy in reaching a resolution. The immediate return to representation for defendants will allow the justice system to continue in an effective and efficient manner.”
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