Rugby trial costs shock

''In the Republic the fact of an acquittal is not a deciding factor on whether a person who had been refused legal aid should have their costs paid by the state, but it is not without weight, according to legal sources.

With the bulk of criminal trials, the defendants come from a socio-economic class whereby they qualify for free legal aid. But defendants who would not normally qualify for legal aid might be granted their costs if the charges they had to face were serious. The matter is at the discretion of the judge and the key question is where the interests of justice lie.''

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/jackson-and-olding-not-entitled-to-costs-from-rape-trial-1.3731608

To me this is plain bias on the part of the judge. These guys suffered a loss of earnings , loss of reputation , lost their jobs and had to go abroad to gain similar employment and now must sustain a huge financial burden as well because they were forced to try to clear their name. Whatever they did or didn't do -they are paying a massive disproportionate price. it is incredible to me that they didn't get at least a fraction of their costs.  Some legal opinion suggests that appeal would be futile...which is quite a worrying consideration in itself.
Every day I pray that I will not fall into the clutches of the law/legal system  -where ,sadly, as I have seen over many decades there can be no real expectation of getting justice.

pretty sure they will be on better wages in france!

maybe the solicitors will come to an arrangement and accept lower fees to help out

interesting to see how the irish system works


i doubt folk in gb would get such legal aid