England and Wales: Barristers plan day of action over legal aid fees
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Major demonstrations by criminal law barristers over legal aid rates are planned in an attempt to force their strike into the public eye, The Brief reports.
Angela Rafferty QC, chairwoman of the Criminal Bar Association, said in her weekly email to members that a day of action was being planned and that details would be revealed soon.
Dozens of barristers have taken part in the strike against a new pay structure imposed by the UK government this month, claiming the scheme is simply the latest cut to legal aid fees.
As a result of the strike, a man who was charged with murder appeared at the Old Bailey last week without counsel. His solicitor said he had been turned down by 20 chambers.
Ms Rafferty said the CBA was “consulting with all other court user groups and agencies from across the criminal justice system in order to plan a way forward for justice together”.
The Law Society of England and Wales is meanwhile seeking judicial review of the Ministry of Justice’s legal fee structure for defence solicitors, with the case expected to be heard by the High Court in the summer.
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