Judgment has been reserved in an appeal by 16 barristers against cuts in their legal aid fees in Northern Ireland's longest murder trial. A total of £350,000 was deducted from £880,000 due to eight QCs and their juniors in the Ann Marie Smyth trial, which lasted eight months.
The decision by Taxing Master, Mr Christopher Napier, to reduce the fees was defended in the High Court in Belfast by Mr Nicholas Hanna QC, appearing for the Lord Chancellor. Mr Hanna said the Taxing Master's role was not simply a checking one. He was entitled to his own opinion and had a wide discretion to look at all the circumstances in deciding fair remuneration for work reasonably undertaken and properly done.
Lord Justice Carswell said he might deliver judgment during the summer vacation.