Pro deo cases dig deep into State pockets

The Minister, who was presenting a budget proposal for the Administration of Justice (AOJ) for the financial year 2024/2025, said for the outstanding fees for pro deo attorneys (lawyers whose fees are paid directly by the government after being assigned to defendants of limited financial means especially in criminal cases such as murder), P19, 578, 000. 00 has been paid while an outstanding balance of P3, 400, 000.00 is yet to be paid.

“As I indicated during the last year’s committee that AOJ has outstanding pro deo fees owed to attorneys who were defending matters, such fees have been paid while the remaining fees will be paid off by the end of this financial year,” he said.