Published Thursday, 26 May 2011
Mr Ford has instructed the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service to write directly to all law firms to confirm if they will work under the lower fees, which were introduced in March.
The Justice Committee was told on Thursday that although a high number of firms have come off record since the new rates were introduced, some are continuing to practice.
David Ford said: "This is a proportionate response to the current situation which I hope will allow the courts to provide defendants with a list of firms willing to provide legal representation."
It is understood courts officials have written to over 500 firms across Northern Ireland, asking for their response within 14 days.
David Ford added: "It is important that in the interests of access to justice for both victims and defendants, that we establish a way of taking this work forward.
"However, what I am not prepared to do is to pay them at the rate they have requested.
"Even with these savings I have just made, the Legal Aid budget still faces a £31m pressure over the next four years."
Mr Ford admitted that if the current situation cannot be resolved then he will have to look at other options.
Legal aid costs in Northern Ireland have risen from £38m to £102m in ten years.
The cost of legal aid in the region is significantly higher per capita than England and Wales.
The budget for the Legal Services Commission for 2011/12 is £83.5m, against a forecast spend of some £105.4m.
This will be reduced to £75million in 2014/15, at the end of the Budget 2010 period.