November 2, 2010 - Tribunal Costs Highlight Need for Reform in Public Procurement of Legal Services
02/11/2010
Today's news that the legal costs for the Mahon Tribunal are likely to hit an estimated €250m is further evidence that reform is needed in the way the State procures legal services.
Hugh Kennedy, Director of Brief Counsel and expert on legal costs, says that the massive legal costs incurred could have been avoided.
"If the State operated a statutory tendering process as it would do in retaining the services of any other professional consultants, these costs could have been significantly lower. Public confidence in the Tribunals of Inquiry has been undermined by the massive legal costs incurred and I believe that the continuing lack of adherence to public procurement principles by the State for legal services is a major issue that needs addressing."
"The lack of proper procurement for legal services extends way beyond these tribunals and is endemic amongst State agencies and local authorities. It is a huge and unnecessary drain on the public purse. Bringing the principles of competitive tendering to the process would save a vast amount of money and could also ensure higher service standards."
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