The Labour Court recommended an independent review of the Legal Aid Board’s grading structure for Grade A solicitors, with the findings to be referred back to the Court for a further recommendation.
The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union argued that Grade A solicitors’ responsibilities and conditions warranted a review. The Board had offered to meet the union’s original pay claim in full, but employees rejected the offer in a ballot. Pending the review, the Court recommended that the union accept the Board’s final pay offer. The recommendation was dated 18 March 1998.