Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 20 February 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion

Photo of Peter FitzpatrickPeter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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I am told that when one gets a solicitor for family law, it could cost hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands. I believe that solicitors are obliged, at the time, to provide their clients with the cost of the procedure in writing. My question for the Law Society is whether that is actually happening. When solicitors meet their clients, are they sending them information on the breakdown of the cost?

The Law Society states that fees must be reasonable for the work undertaken and if a person is not happy, he or she can complain to the Law Society of Ireland. Are there many complaints to the Law Society of Ireland about the costs for solicitors or barristers?