Criminal justice system in Waterford ‘in crisis’ as solicitor dispute goes on
The Waterford Law Society has called for an urgent review of the new legal aid system
The criminal justice system in Waterford is “in crisis”, the Waterford Law Society has said.
It comes as the dispute between solicitors and the Department of Justice over legal aid payments continues.
New figures from the Courts Service show a large reduction in the number of criminal legal aid certificates being granted by the Waterford District Court office.
This follows the introduction of the new Criminal Legal Aid Scheme in July.
In Waterford, the number of certificates granted fell from 312 in July 2025 to 10 in July 2026.
Leona McDonald, President of the Waterford Law Society, 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 Waterford 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 Waterford 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.”
Ms McDonald called for an urgent review of the new legal aid scheme to be carried out.
“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.”
In a letter to the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, the Law Society has called for the appointment of an independent mediator to help resolve the impasse over the new Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.
The 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.
The July 2026 figures include certificates granted under both the old and new Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, has said that the criminal courts are operating “effectively” despite the ongoing dispute over the new legal aid scheme.
However, the Law Society of Ireland says that these figures raise serious questions about that assessment.