Every time a solicitor represents an accused person in the District Court they are paid €239 for the first day in court and €59 for every subsequent day in court. They don't get paid for any preparatory work or administration costs. The government wishes to settle on a new bulk payment of around €455 irrespective of how long or how short the case lasts. 

Joe discuss this more with Gary Mulchrone who works for Walsh Solicitors and sits on the Criminal Law Committee of the Law Society.