29 March 2012
Re-Publication of the List of Legal Aid Payments
Commenting on the re-publication of the list of legal aid payments for 2010 – 2011 the President of the Law Society, Mrs Imelda McMillan said:
“The Law Society notes the ‘re-publication’ of the list of legal aid payments for 2010/2011. The Society continues to be supportive of transparency and accountability in respect of the publication of all information regarding expenditure from public funds.
The figures re-published today by the NILSC show a reduction of over 10% on the previous year in the amount of professional fees paid to 100 solicitors firms and barristers.
What is once again missing from the republished lists is any information relating to the total number of legal aid transactions which took place over 2010 – 2011 and the number of people who were assisted.
The value of legal aid to the community and the considerable work undertaken by the solicitor profession cannot be quantified in monetary terms”.
- ENDS -