Criminal barristers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action if the government does not commit to a “substantial increase” in legal aid.
Almost 2,000 members of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) responded to an urgent survey, to demand reform by the end of March under the threat of industrial action.
An independent review of the criminal legal aid budget, led by Sir Christopher Bellamy, has proposed an extra £135 million-a-year and said there is “‘no scope for further delay”.
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has committed to responding to the review by the end of March, but barristers fear no concrete action will be taken until at least the summer.
In survey results published on Tuesday, 90 per cent agreed that the government’s current timetable is “unreasonable”, and 93 per cent said ministers should publish their response to the review by February 14 and carry out the statutory consultation on changes being made by March 31.
Agreeing emphatically that industrial action, including a ‘no returns’ policy, should follow if their demands are not met, 96.5 per cent of barristers voted for strike action if the government does not “commit to a substantial increase in criminal legal aid”.
“The views of the Criminal Bar could not be more clear”, said CBA chair Jo Sidhu QC and vice chair Kirsty Brimelow QC, in a statement.
“Government must now take the urgent action necessary to resolve the funding crisis that has left the criminal justice system on its knees and driven out hundreds of our colleagues who could no longer sustain a career on pay that has declined in real terms over the last 25 years.
“We have waited too long. We will wait no longer. Without the requisite undertakings from Government by February 14, the CBA will move directly to a ballot for action. Solidarity at the Criminal Bar has never been stronger. There is no going back.”
