BREAKING: Multiple court cases aren't heard as Kildare solicitors 'go on strike'
Most of the 175 cases listed at the regular court sitting yesterday did not proceed
Solicitors opposing changes to how they are paid are choosing not to represent their clients at Naas District Court, at least until the end of the week.
This meant that most of the 175 cases listed at the regular court sitting did not proceed.
Solicitors across Ireland have come out against changes to the Criminal Legal Aid scheme, which provides for State payments to legal professionals representing people who say they cannot afford to pay for representation themselves.
The State wants to pay a flat fee of €455 per individual, regardless of how many times the case comes before the court. Under the current rules, legal representatives are paid for each appearance - though the payments vary in size as the case goes through the system.
They have the support of the Law Society, which is the educational, representative, and regulatory body for the solicitors in Ireland.
The new payments system is expected to come on stream early next month.
It is understood that the solicitors will not represent people under the scheme at court sittings in Kildare this week.
As the cases were called yesterday, individual solicitors told the judge where we were not in a position to advance that case and sat down.
Numerous cases - including some matters not covered by legal aid - did not go ahead today.
Most of these were adjourned by Judge Peter White to dates in July, September and November.