The Law Society has called for the appointment of an independent mediator to try to resolve dispute
New figures from the Courts Service show a dramatic reduction in the number of criminal legal aid certificates being granted by the Sligo District Court office following the introduction of the new Criminal Legal Aid Scheme in July.
The number of certificates granted in Sligo fell from 107 in July 2025 to 1 in July 2026. In a letter to the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, the Law Society called for the appointment of an independent mediator to help resolve the impasse over the new Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.
Figures provided to the Law Society of Ireland show that 702 criminal legal aid certificates were granted nationally in July 2026, compared with 10,277 in July 2025, a 93% reduction of certificates.
The figures cover legal aid certificates granted in the District Court, District Court appeals and matters sent forward for trial. Importantly, the July 2026 figures include certificates granted under both the old and new Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.
Minister O’Callaghan has said that the criminal courts are operating “effectively” despite the ongoing dispute over the new legal aid scheme.
The new scheme came into effect on 1 July and the Law Society has consistently said that reform of criminal legal aid is necessary and overdue, but that the new model does not adequately reflect the reality, complexity or duration of criminal cases.
The Law Society has identified two targeted changes which it believes would address the principal remaining concerns with the Scheme: ensuring that separate and distinct criminal cases are treated separately where appropriate and providing an additional certificate where a case extends beyond ten court appearances.
The operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme should continue to be assessed against evidence from courts and practitioners across the country, it said.
Caroline McLaughlin, President of the Sligo Bar Association, said: “The figures provided by the Courts Service are deeply concerning and demonstrate the scale of the reduction in criminal legal aid certificates since the new scheme came into effect.
“As a direct result of the new scheme introduced by the Minister for Justice, the criminal justice system in Sligo is under significant pressure.
“Access to legal representation is a fundamental part of ensuring that the criminal justice system operates fairly and effectively.
“Solicitors in Sligo are seeing first-hand the impact that the new scheme is having on the provision of criminal legal aid, leaving many without access to justice.
“These figures should prompt an urgent review of how the scheme is operating in courts across the country. We would encourage the Minister and the Department of Justice to listen to the experience of practitioners on the ground and to take practical steps to ensure that access to justice is protected.
“The Law Society remains available to engage with the Minister and the Department of Justice on the announced review and on practical measures which could make the Scheme workable in the interim.”