Barristers to stage one-day strike in Northern Ireland
updated on 23 October 2024
Criminal barristers in Northern Ireland are set to strike on 4 November as part of a dispute about legal aid fees. Donal Lunny KC, chair of the Bar of Northern Ireland, claimed the system of criminal legal aid has reached “crisis point”.
The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has also announced changes that’ll take place from 1 November 2024. The first of which will see barristers refuse to take on new category A crown court cases, which encompass serious offences, such as murder and manslaughter.
Speaking about the CBA’s announcement, Lunny explained: “Criminal barristers in our crown courts work for legal aid rates which have, when adjusted for inflation, plummeted between 47% and 58% since 2005.
“Routinely, these barristers will wait at least three to four months for payment once a case is concluded and their fee is submitted.”
However, Lunny also explained that the Bar is willing to engage in discussions with the DoJ, noting that “the planned withdrawal of services can be avoided if the DoJ, even at this late stage, is willing to act with the urgency and transparency that have been absent to date”.
In a statement, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said it’s "surprised and disappointed” by the decision. It said that the Legal Services Agency paid out £114 million in 2023/24, the highest ever payment for legal aid.
The DoJ stated that: "The Bar is aware that the department has been working to secure a more sustainable budget and additional funding has been secured this year to meet the current pressures.
"The department will continue to push hard for more funding to address the underfunding issues across justice. It is therefore premature to announce strike action at this time."
