Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0468Judicial review · Co. Dublin · 30 Jul 2026

Solicitor John Quinn challenges new legal aid payment model in High Court

Solicitor John Quinn brought a judicial review in the High Court in Dublin on 30 July 2026, seeking to quash the statutory instrument behind a new legal aid payment model that replaced per-appearance fees with a once-off €520 fee. The new arrangement, introduced by Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, came into effect in July 2026 and has prompted some solicitors to withdraw their services in protest. Counsel for the Law Society, Shane Murphy, and counsel for the Minister, Eoin McCullough, appeared before Judge Mary Rose Gearty, who heard arguments that the scheme conflicts with the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962. The case continues.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court30 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • John Quinn, a solicitor at John M Quinn & Co Solicitors, brought a judicial review challenge to the new legal aid payment model.
  • The new legal aid payment scheme provides a once-off fee of €520 regardless of the number of appearances, replacing the previous per-appearance payment system.
  • Some solicitors have withdrawn their services in protest at the new arrangement, causing disruption in the criminal justice system.
When
The new payment arrangement came into effect in July 2026.
In court
  • Quinn seeks to have the High Court quash the statutory instrument underpinning the new payment model.
  • The case was heard before Judge Mary Rose Gearty in the High Court in Dublin on 30 July 2026.
  • Shane Murphy appeared as counsel for the Law Society and Eoin McCullough as counsel for the Minister.
  • The claimant's barrister argued the scheme conflicts with the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 and infringes on judicial powers.
  • The case continues.
Other details
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan introduced the new payment model.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJohn Quinn is a solicitor at John M Quinn & Co Solicitors (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe new legal aid payment scheme provides for a once-off legal aid fee of €520 regardless of the number of appearances (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPreviously, solicitors were paid per appearance (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSome solicitors have withdrawn their services in protest at the new arrangement (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe new arrangement came into effect in July 2026 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtQuinn wants the High Court to quash the statutory instrument underpinning the new payment model (irishtimes.com)
  • courtShane Murphy is counsel for the Law Society (irishtimes.com)
  • courtEoin McCullough is counsel for the Minister (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case is before Judge Mary Rose Gearty and continues (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jul2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    New legal aid payment model conflicts with existing legislation, court hears

    Reports the opening of the High Court challenge to the new legal aid payment model, with arguments from the claimant's barrister, the Law Society's counsel, and the Minister's counsel.

    victim, John Quinn, male, irish (judged from name)John Quinnsuspect, irish (judged from name)