Barristers strike: Lawyers vote to end walkout after 15% pay offer accepted

It comes after more than a month of an all-out strike by members of the legal profession.
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Criminal barristers in England and Wales have voted to end industrial action after accepting a 15% pay offer from the government.

It comes after more than a month of an all-out strike by members of the legal profession - which saw court cases delayed and the justice backlog increase.

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Barristers said they were fighting to defend their profession - and the criminal justice system - from low wages and underfunding, and called for a 25% increase in legal aid fees.

Justice secretary Brandon Lewis offered 15% to the “vast majority” of current cases, £3m in preparation funding and £4m for prerecorded cross-examinations of victims and witnesses.

Defence barristers take part in a strike outside the Central Criminal Court, also known as the Old Bailey. Photo: GettyDefence barristers take part in a strike outside the Central Criminal Court, also known as the Old Bailey. Photo: Getty
Defence barristers take part in a strike outside the Central Criminal Court, also known as the Old Bailey. Photo: Getty

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) previously agreed to a 15% rise in fees for new cases from the end of September, which would not have included the 60,000 crown court case backlog.

Now 57% of 2,605 barristers have voted to accept the deal and end the strike, after union the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) put it to its members.

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It means court cases will resume as normal from tomorrow (Tuesday, October 11), with action suspended from 5pm today.

CBA chairman Kirsty Brimelow said: “The criminal justice system sits on the cliff edge.

“Without sufficient barristers to prosecute and defend cases, victims not only will not see justice delivered but will not hear verdicts and sentences pronounced, nor touch closure.”

She added: “The CBA has a long history of respecting and unifying around the majority vote.

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“The underlying causes that compelled us to commence action, as a unified group, have not gone away. The criminal justice system remains chronically underfunded.

“It remains the government’s responsibility to stop the Criminal Justice System tipping over the cliff edge.

“Barristers should not again have to endure working all hours to ensure that cases are brought to courts whilst the government pares criminal legal aid fees to the bone.”

And Ms Brimelow said the government’s offer was accepted “on the basis that it is implemented” - or the organisation would ballot members again over a renewed strike.

“Goodwill of criminal barristers is exhausted,” she said.

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“Long-term reform does depend on continuing, constructive engagement with the government. Otherwise, our members remain ready to act again.”

Announcing the government offer. Mr Lewis said: “I greatly value the criminal bar and solicitors and the work they do every day in our crown and magistrates courts.

“They are crucial to reducing the backlog. My priority in these discussions has been to ensure that victims aren’t forced to wait longer to see justice done.”