McCreevy Unveils New Legal Fee Payment Structure For Tribunals

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

20 July 2004

Ireland's Finance Minister, Charlie McCreevy announced on Monday that he has secured the approval of the government for a radical new structure for payment of legal fees at tribunals and other forms of inquiry, following concerns over the spiralling cost to taxpayers of legal fees for recently concluded and ongoing tribunals.

The Minister also announced changes in the working methods of tribunals, which should lead to more efficient and effective conduct of business as well as reducing their duration.

From September 1, the cost of all legal representation, including third parties, at newly-established tribunals of inquiry or other forms of inquiry, will be paid by way of a set fee payable for the entirety of the tribunal, with the calculation of daily rates to be based on this fee.

The government has also decided that the new fee structure will apply to existing tribunals and inquiries, although the effective date for the introduction of the new structure will be determined by the government following communication between the attorney general and the chairperson of each tribunal/inquiry.

Speaking with regard to the changes unveiled on Monday, Mr McCreevy explained that:

"I am strongly of the view that the equivalent of an annual salary is the most appropriate form of payment for legal personnel on Tribunals and other forms of Inquiry and I am satisfied that the revised arrangements will provide adequate remuneration and an appropriate framework to ensure the future conduct of the business of Tribunals. It is worth noting, in this regard, that the new proposed fee structure for a Senior Counsel will still be more than seven times the average industrial wage.”

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