Several accused persons suffered a “fundamental denial of justice” when they were remanded in custody after being left without legal representation in the District Court due to a dispute over the new legal aid payment scheme, the High Court has ruled. AdvertisementSeveral similar cases brought by other accused persons are still live before the court. The proceedings arose in circumstances where many solicitors working in the District Court are refusing to work under the revised legal aid scheme. AdvertisementIn a judgment, Gearty found there had been a “fundamental denial of justice” during the bail hearings at issue, and said the 11 accused persons were successful in arguing that they were entitled to immediate release. At a hearing last week, lawyers for the accused persons argued their clients had been detained illegally.