Barristers’ strike: heads of chambers to meet after ‘breakthrough’ in talks with government
updated on 30 May 2018
The government has given ground to striking barristers with an offer of £15 million to address the crisis in the criminal justice system.
Heads of chambers will meet tomorrow (31 May) to discuss the government’s proposal while the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has suspended its call for striking criminal defence barristers to escalate their direct action while talks are held.
The details of the government’s offer are:
- Investment of £15 million that will not come from elsewhere in the justice budget, but will be a fresh injection of funding into the system.
- The first £8 million will target drug, fraud and child sex cases that have lost out under the new scheme.
- A 1% increase in all barristers’ legal aid fees from April 2019.
- A £4.5 million increase in fees targeted at junior barristers in an effort to make careers at the Bar more sustainable.
Ahead of the discussions about whether to accept the government’s offer, barristers have also called on the Ministry of Justice to abandon its flexible operating hours (FOH) pilot for courts, which barristers say would seriously disrupt those with caring commitments and discourage talented women from careers at the Bar.
Chair of the CBA Angela Rafferty said: “This has been very difficult to achieve and has been an almost non-stop effort on our part. We are of the view that at last the government is recognising the importance of the criminal justice system should have in our society.
“I have repeatedly stated that we will not accept any offer without proper and meaningful consultation. We are in the uncharted territory of seeking to secure more global funding from the government, rather than seeking to prevent a cut. There are many detailed discussions to have in this two-week period.”
A spokesperson for the government said: “We welcome the decision to suspend the escalation of action, which would have seriously affected victims, witnesses and all court users. The original [fees] scheme was designed with significant input from the Bar. We have listened carefully to the concerns they have since raised and will continue to work closely together moving forwards.”
