Before this year, criminal lawyers had only walked out for a day and a half in 2014 before a legal aid dispute was resolved. However, industrial action which began in April gradually escalated as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) refused to agree to an immediate 25% rise in legal aid fees, offering only 15%. The Criminal Bar Association says its members’ real earnings have fallen 28% since 2006, and the 15% increase won’t be felt for years because it only applies to new cases from the end of September. A backlog of about 60,000 cases remains to be completed. Kirsty Brimelow QC, chair of the CBA, said: “Government policies to get tough on crime and support victims are meaningless without the required proper investment in criminal lawyers who deliver justice. “As criminal lawyers begin their historic, last-resort, indefinite action, it is not too late for the justice secretary and lord chancellor to change his legacy. “Criminal lawyers have stopped recruiting through overwhelmed criminal courts. They’ve stopped watching vulnerable people jump into trials in 2024 with their hands folded in prayer that someone will be left to prosecute and defend. “This is not a ‘world-class justice system’ as defined in the Justice Department’s vision. It’s not even a functioning justice system.” Justice Minister Dominic Raab accused striking lawyers of letting down victims and increasing caseloads. But the CBA said that in the three months to March 31, before criminal lawyers started, 6,734 trials were delayed, including 1,907 deemed ineffective – those that do not take place at the last minute – the highest number in eight years of official records. That included more than 200 cases where a prosecutor or defense attorney was not available on the day a trial was scheduled to begin, according to CBA’s analysis. The 4,827 trials vacated – in advance – from court rolls was the most in any quarter in seven years, and 1,568 more trials were delayed than completed during the period, the CBA said. The CBA says it is striking to prevent a complete collapse of the criminal justice system and has expressed its disappointment that Raab has refused to meet to discuss his demands. On Tuesday, striking lawyers plan to gather on the steps of crown courts in every region of England and Wales. When the indefinite strike was announced last month, Justice Secretary Sarah Dines said it was “an irresponsible decision which will see more victims face further delay and anguish”. The Ministry of Justice says a 15% pay rise will add around £7,000 to a lawyer’s typical annual earnings.

title: “Criminal Lawyers Prepare For Indefinite Strike Over Legal Aid Lawyers Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-13” author: “Debra Thompson”

Before this year, criminal lawyers had only walked out for a day and a half in 2014 before a legal aid dispute was resolved. However, industrial action which began in April gradually escalated as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) refused to agree to an immediate 25% rise in legal aid fees, offering only 15%. The Criminal Bar Association says its members’ real earnings have fallen 28% since 2006, and the 15% increase won’t be felt for years because it only applies to new cases from the end of September. A backlog of about 60,000 cases remains to be completed. Kirsty Brimelow QC, chair of the CBA, said: “Government policies to get tough on crime and support victims are meaningless without the required proper investment in criminal lawyers who deliver justice. “As criminal lawyers begin their historic, last-resort, indefinite action, it is not too late for the justice secretary and lord chancellor to change his legacy. “Criminal lawyers have stopped recruiting through overwhelmed criminal courts. They’ve stopped watching vulnerable people jump into trials in 2024 with their hands folded in prayer that someone will be left to prosecute and defend. “This is not a ‘world-class justice system’ as defined in the Justice Department’s vision. It’s not even a functioning justice system.” Justice Minister Dominic Raab accused striking lawyers of letting down victims and increasing caseloads. But the CBA said that in the three months to March 31, before criminal lawyers started, 6,734 trials were delayed, including 1,907 deemed ineffective – those that do not take place at the last minute – the highest number in eight years of official records. That included more than 200 cases where a prosecutor or defense attorney was not available on the day a trial was scheduled to begin, according to CBA’s analysis. The 4,827 trials vacated – in advance – from court rolls was the most in any quarter in seven years, and 1,568 more trials were delayed than completed during the period, the CBA said. The CBA says it is striking to prevent a complete collapse of the criminal justice system and has expressed its disappointment that Raab has refused to meet to discuss his demands. On Tuesday, striking lawyers plan to gather on the steps of crown courts in every region of England and Wales. When the indefinite strike was announced last month, Justice Secretary Sarah Dines said it was “an irresponsible decision which will see more victims face further delay and anguish”. The Ministry of Justice says a 15% pay rise will add around £7,000 to a lawyer’s typical annual earnings.

title: “Criminal Lawyers Prepare For Indefinite Strike Over Legal Aid Lawyers Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-28” author: “John Bussey”

Before this year, criminal lawyers had only walked out for a day and a half in 2014 before a legal aid dispute was resolved. However, industrial action which began in April gradually escalated as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) refused to agree to an immediate 25% rise in legal aid fees, offering only 15%. The Criminal Bar Association says its members’ real earnings have fallen 28% since 2006, and the 15% increase won’t be felt for years because it only applies to new cases from the end of September. A backlog of about 60,000 cases remains to be completed. Kirsty Brimelow QC, chair of the CBA, said: “Government policies to get tough on crime and support victims are meaningless without the required proper investment in criminal lawyers who deliver justice. “As criminal lawyers begin their historic, last-resort, indefinite action, it is not too late for the justice secretary and lord chancellor to change his legacy. “Criminal lawyers have stopped recruiting through overwhelmed criminal courts. They’ve stopped watching vulnerable people jump into trials in 2024 with their hands folded in prayer that someone will be left to prosecute and defend. “This is not a ‘world-class justice system’ as defined in the Justice Department’s vision. It’s not even a functioning justice system.” Justice Minister Dominic Raab accused striking lawyers of letting down victims and increasing caseloads. But the CBA said that in the three months to March 31, before criminal lawyers started, 6,734 trials were delayed, including 1,907 deemed ineffective – those that do not take place at the last minute – the highest number in eight years of official records. That included more than 200 cases where a prosecutor or defense attorney was not available on the day a trial was scheduled to begin, according to CBA’s analysis. The 4,827 trials vacated – in advance – from court rolls was the most in any quarter in seven years, and 1,568 more trials were delayed than completed during the period, the CBA said. The CBA says it is striking to prevent a complete collapse of the criminal justice system and has expressed its disappointment that Raab has refused to meet to discuss his demands. On Tuesday, striking lawyers plan to gather on the steps of crown courts in every region of England and Wales. When the indefinite strike was announced last month, Justice Secretary Sarah Dines said it was “an irresponsible decision which will see more victims face further delay and anguish”. The Ministry of Justice says a 15% pay rise will add around £7,000 to a lawyer’s typical annual earnings.

title: “Criminal Lawyers Prepare For Indefinite Strike Over Legal Aid Lawyers Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-29” author: “Gary Chapman”

Before this year, criminal lawyers had only walked out for a day and a half in 2014 before a legal aid dispute was resolved. However, industrial action which began in April gradually escalated as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) refused to agree to an immediate 25% rise in legal aid fees, offering only 15%. The Criminal Bar Association says its members’ real earnings have fallen 28% since 2006, and the 15% increase won’t be felt for years because it only applies to new cases from the end of September. A backlog of about 60,000 cases remains to be completed. Kirsty Brimelow QC, chair of the CBA, said: “Government policies to get tough on crime and support victims are meaningless without the required proper investment in criminal lawyers who deliver justice. “As criminal lawyers begin their historic, last-resort, indefinite action, it is not too late for the justice secretary and lord chancellor to change his legacy. “Criminal lawyers have stopped recruiting through overwhelmed criminal courts. They’ve stopped watching vulnerable people jump into trials in 2024 with their hands folded in prayer that someone will be left to prosecute and defend. “This is not a ‘world-class justice system’ as defined in the Justice Department’s vision. It’s not even a functioning justice system.” Justice Minister Dominic Raab accused striking lawyers of letting down victims and increasing caseloads. But the CBA said that in the three months to March 31, before criminal lawyers started, 6,734 trials were delayed, including 1,907 deemed ineffective – those that do not take place at the last minute – the highest number in eight years of official records. That included more than 200 cases where a prosecutor or defense attorney was not available on the day a trial was scheduled to begin, according to CBA’s analysis. The 4,827 trials vacated – in advance – from court rolls was the most in any quarter in seven years, and 1,568 more trials were delayed than completed during the period, the CBA said. The CBA says it is striking to prevent a complete collapse of the criminal justice system and has expressed its disappointment that Raab has refused to meet to discuss his demands. On Tuesday, striking lawyers plan to gather on the steps of crown courts in every region of England and Wales. When the indefinite strike was announced last month, Justice Secretary Sarah Dines said it was “an irresponsible decision which will see more victims face further delay and anguish”. The Ministry of Justice says a 15% pay rise will add around £7,000 to a lawyer’s typical annual earnings.