fees fixed in 1952 were fixed for capital cases. In 1962, legal aid was extended to many other cases and the fees originally contemplated for capital cases were also extended to lesser cases and appeals, although, in 1959, the Bar had recognized that there would be justification for smaller fees in non-capital cases.
I note what you say about judges and prosecuting officers but I am not quite clear as to precisely what "con- tribution" you have in mind. Perhaps you could refer me to some precedent.
With reference to the last paragraph of your letter, per- haps you would indicate to me how the Chief Justice controls the remuneration of barristers in private practice.
It is my intention, in any event, to reconsider the present arrangements which, as indicated in my earlier letter, should I think be examined afresh. I note that the suggestion I made for a temporary scale of fees which might possibly be introduced meantime is thought to be retrogressive for the majority of barristers. Do you think that the scale put for- ward in 1959, plus some percentage increase to meet the fall in the purchasing power of money since that date, would be more appropriate? The scale was:-
Capital cases: fee $500 with $300 daily refreshers Other cases: fee $300 with $200 daily refreshers.
Yours sincerely,
(Sd.) MICHAEL HOGAN
11th December, 1967.
P.S. May be I should also indicate, since there appears to be some misunderstanding on the point, that the reference in my earlier letter to the general level of social services contemplated the range and extent of those services.
44
M. H.