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State Claims Agency negotiates savings of up to 75 per cent on legal bills

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State Claims Agency negotiates savings of up to 75 per cent on legal bills

The State Claims Agency (SCA) negotiated savings of up to 75 per cent with plaintiff law firms last year, new figures show.

In a report presented to the Public Accounts Committee, the Agency said: “For each legal Bill of Costs received from plaintiff solicitors the level of legal costs is carefully reviewed and wherever possible and by means of negotiations, the SCA seeks to achieve maximum possible reduction in legal costs for the State.

“If the SCA cannot successfully agree the level of the legal costs to be paid to the plaintiff‘s legal representatives, the matter is determined by a Taxing Master.”

The greatest negotiated saving last year of €267,576 was negotiated with James O’Brien & Co. Solicitors, who made a claim of €396,726 and were paid €129,151 - a saving of 67.5 per cent.

The largest by proportion was 75.5 per cent from Bernadette Barry Solicitors, who claimed €257,547 and were paid just €63,176.

The top ten savings in cash terms are listed below:

  • James O’Brien & Co. Solicitors claimed €396,726 and paid €129,151 (67.5 per cent saving)

  • O’Donovan Mahon Cowen Solicitors claimed €647,085 and paid €392,428 (39.4 per cent saving)

  • Robert Cussen & Son Solicitors claimed €520,822 and paid €283,164 (45.6 per cent saving)

  • Augustus Cullen Law Solicitors claimed €569,741 and paid €350,734 (38.4 per cent saving)

  • Callan Tansey Solicitors claimed €636,781 and paid €423,924 (30.9 per cent saving)

  • Callan Tansey Solicitors claimed €502,478 and paid €293,818 (41.0 per cent saving)

  • Bernadette Barry Solicitors claimed €257,547 and paid €63,176 (75.5 per cent saving)

  • M.W. Keller & Son Solicitors claimed €1,230,230 and paid €1,054,738 (11.9 per cent saving)

  • Augustus Cullen Law Solicitors claimed €414,287 and paid €243,401 (41.3 per cent saving)

  • Augustus Cullen Law Solicitors claimed €408,641 and paid €165,415 (40.5 per cent saving)

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