§ Mr. HAZLETONasked what is the scale on which fees to the Law Officers and to counsel are fixed; and how much did such fees amount to in the last financial year?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Law Officers receive fees for contentious business on the following scale, which was fixed in 1886, with the consent of the Treasury:—
762W
£ s. d. Brief for trial at Assizes, when only one brief and case 105 0 0 Refresher fees (to include consultation) 21 0 0 Fee on second brief and case at same Assizes 52 10 0 Refresher (to include consultation) 21 0 0 Brief on trial in Dublin 26 5 0 Refresher (to include consultation) 21 0 0 The scale of fees to counsel is as follows:—
£3 3s. for brief Senior Counsel. £1 1s. for direction of proof £2 2s for brief Junior Counsel. £l 1s. for preparation of indictment £2 2s. Refresher fees to each Counsel. In simple cases, one Counsel only to be employed.
Fees:—
For brief, proof, and indictment, £3 3s.
In cases of magnitude and difficulty the Attorney-General may approve of such larger fees as he shall consider reasonable.
In 1908–9, the last financial year for which the figures are available, the expenditure was as follows:—
Fees to Law Officers £1,423 16 0 Fees to Counsel 7,054 19 0