Barristers to vote on plans to escalate strikes

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Members of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) are due to vote on whether to replace the current fortnightly strikes with uninterrupted ones as of 5 September.  

In a letter to its members, the CBA said: “It has become clear that a significant proportion of barristers wish to be given an option to escalate our current action towards an uninterrupted strike in order to exert maximum leverage upon this government.”

Criminal barristers are now in their seventh week of strike action after voting to walk out in June following a dispute with the government over legal aid fees. So far, the government has been reluctant to meet their 25% increase in legal aid fees demand, saying that it would cost a “disproportionate amount” of taxpayer money. The CBA has highlighted that taking action is a last resort, stating that “a clear majority” of criminal barristers are “preparing to leave the criminal Bar unless our demands are substantially met by government”.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said: “This is a disappointing decision by the CBA, considering criminal barristers will receive a 15% fee increase, equating to an average pay rise of £7,000 per year. We have fast-tracked legislation so lawyers will start to receive the extra money from the end of September. Strike action is only serving to delay justice for victims.”