Criminal Legal Aid

We manage the administration of three criminal legal aid schemes, as outlined below. 

1. Garda Station Legal Advice Revised Scheme

The Legal Aid Board has been responsible for the administration of this Scheme since October 2011. The Garda Station Legal Advice Revised Scheme provides for legal advice to detainees in Garda Stations. Solicitors may also claim a fee for accompanying detainees to Garda interviews if requested.

The Scheme is subject to specific terms and eligibility criteria. 

2. Legal Aid – Custody Issues Scheme

The Legal Aid Board has been responsible for the administration of the Legal Aid – Custody Issues Scheme (LA-CIS) since June 2012. This Scheme provides, in certain circumstances, for legal representation in certain types of cases like Extradition, European Arrest Warrant, High Court Bail Applications (and Bail appeals to the Court of Appeal), Habeas Corpus and certain types of Judicial Review.

The Scheme is subject to specific terms and eligibility criteria.

3. Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) – Ad-hoc Legal Aid Scheme

The Legal Aid Board has been responsible for the administration of the CAB Scheme since January 2014. The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) Ad-hoc Legal Aid Scheme provides for legal representation in certain cases which do not fall under the Civil Legal Aid or Criminal Legal Aid Schemes. The types of cases include Proceeds of Crime cases, Social Welfare and Tax Appeals where the Criminal Assets Bureau or its Chief Bureau Officer or any member of the Criminal Assets Bureau is the Respondent and / or Defendant.

The Scheme is subject to specific terms and eligibility criteria.