England: Solicitors’ watchdog tells members to use solicitor advocates during barristers strike

The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s guidance tells solicitors to contact “as many alternative chambers as possible” to determine if they are taking part in the strike action.

It adds that if firms have solicitor advocates “they should be utilised where they have both the skills and resources to take on the work”.

Angela Rafferty QC, chairwoman of the Criminal Bar Association, said: “The SRA, a regulatory body, has given nuanced guidance for its solicitor members. It makes it clear that those who are instructed in criminal cases should have both the skills and resources to take the work on.

“We continue to be supported by many of our solicitor colleagues who face contractual duties.They are subjected to the same degradations in their working lives as barristers.

“The Ministry of Justice must invest in both sides of the profession and restore funding to a criminal justice system cut to the bone.”