A new report has recommended major changes in the way solicitors and barristers charge for their work.
The Legal Costs Working Group was set up by the Minister for Justice to examine ways of reducing civil legal costs.
The report proposes a radical reform of the legal costs sytems.
It recommends the establishment of a legal costs regulatory body, a written assesment process and oral appeals process.
The group also suggests that solicitor's fees be broken down into itemised parts.
The Minister for Justice, Michael Mc Dowell, has welcomed the publication and says he will implement its findings.
He is also to establish a legal services ombudsman to strengthen the mechanisms for dealing with complaints against members of the legal profession.
Groups representing solicitors and barristers are expected to welcome the new changes.
