Assigning solicitors and counsel: free legal aid in the county courtN.I.
5.—(1) When granting a criminal aid certificate under Article 30(3) or (4) of the Order, a magistrates' court or county court, as applicable, shall, after taking into account any representations which the applicant may make, assign a solicitor who is practising in Northern Ireland and is willing to undertake the defence of legally aided persons in criminal cases.
(2) The assisted person shall be entitled to the services of any solicitor assigned under paragraph (1).
(3) Except where the court directs under Article 30(8) of the Order that only a solicitor shall be assigned, any member of the Bar who is practising in Northern Ireland and is willing to appear as counsel for legally aided persons in criminal cases may be instructed, on behalf of the assisted person, by the solicitor assigned under paragraph (1).
(4) Any member of the Bar instructed as provided under paragraph (3) shall, for the purposes of The Magistrates' Courts and County Courts Appeals (Criminal Legal Aid) (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009 M1, be regarded as having been assigned in pursuance of a criminal aid certificate under Article 30 of the Order.
Marginal Citations
M1S.R. 2009 No. 313