Barristers to stage full day of strike action in protest against legal aid cuts

Barristers will stage a full day of strike action on 7 March in protest at the government’s proposed cuts to legal aid.

Many barristers now feel forced to take further action in light of the government’s complete refusal to cooperate toward a solution following the last walk out on 6 January. There have been widespread protests at the legal aid cuts across the legal profession; many lawyers feel that this government and its cabinet, comprised in the majority of privileged, wealthy men from just a couple of elite private schools, is heedless of the damage that will be done to the country’s criminal justice system, as well as the rights of thousands of citizens who will be denied access to justice.

Nigel Lithman, chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said: "It does not matter that we have shown [the government] the false economy of their proposals or that such savage cuts will cost the government more than they save in the long run. They do not care about the impact on the future of the criminal justice system in this country. They do not care about the fundamental rights of the thousands of individuals who may need access to justice, fair and proper legal representation in the future. They are not at all bothered about the long term risks to public safety - especially when there is a lack of expert and experienced professionals to undertake complex prosecutions in years to come[…] they know the price of everything and the value of nothing."