Month: June 2022

Nearly 300 barristers have signed a letter to the justice minister, Helen McEntee, calling for an urgent review of “unsustainable” and “uneconomic” fees for criminal work in the District Court.

The petition seeks the “immediate full and long overdue unwinding of cuts to rates of pay for criminal legal aid services”, as well as direct payments to barristers rather than payments being made through solicitors.

“The rule of law and the due administration of justice benefit from people of all ages and with different experiences and backgrounds becoming barristers and working in criminal law,” the letter states.

“Now it is evident that only those with independent resources can survive in the profession. This is enormously damaging to the profession and to society.

“The fact that only well-resourced barristers can survive must have a corrosive effect on society in any democracy. The State by its inaction condones this undesirable development.”

To read the full story please visit:
https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/nearly-300-barristers-petition-justice-minister-over-unsustainable-district-court-fees

This (please see link below) is the bodybuilding garda who withdrew two separate personal injury claims after video was played in the High Court showing her lifting weights exceeding 40kg.

Jessica Feeney withdrew the claims on the third day of her civil actions after Mr Justice Cian Ferritter noted his concerns relating to issues which arose out of cross-examination and said any adverse findings against the plaintiff may impact her career, given her line of work.

To read the full story please visit:

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/body-building-garda-withdraws-injury-claims-after-weightlifting-video-shown-in-court-41725903.html

Personal Injuries Assessment Board hopes ruling will lead to more cases resolved without litigation

Insurers have been urged to “deliver their part of the bargain” by reducing insurance costs following the rejection of a lead challenge to new guidelines slashing awards for minor personal injuries.

The Alliance for Insurance Reform issued the call when welcoming the High Court judgment on Thursday dismissing the lead challenge to the judicially approved guidelines, which came into effect in April 2021 and have led to awards from the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) being slashed by up to 50 per cent.

To read the full story please visit:

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2022/06/02/insurers-urged-to-deliver-cuts-after-challenge-to-guidelines-slashing-minor-injury-awards-fails/