Criminal bar chiefs have paused a planned demonstration tomorrow over legal aid funding following a ‘constructive’ meeting with the new lord chancellor.
The Criminal Bar Association, whose members began indefinite strike action this month, and the Bar Council met Brandon Lewis CBE MP yesterday.
The association said: ‘We’ve had a constructive introductory meeting with the lord chancellor to discuss the ongoing action of criminal law barristers. All are committed to finding a resolution acceptable to all and for the future of the criminal justice system. Detailed conversations now will take place as a matter of urgency.’
The Ministry of Justice said the discussion centred on the impact of the barristers’ strike and the lord chancellor emphasised the need to return to work to ensure victims received the justice they deserved.
According to the department, Lewis also reiterated the 15% fee increase as part of the government’s proposals to increase criminal legal aid investment by £135m a year, ‘which is the biggest increase in a decade’.
In a statement, Lewis said: ‘Today I met the Criminal Bar Association and Bar Council to emphasise the need for striking barristers to return to work and get justice moving again. It was a constructive initial meeting and discussions will continue to deliver for victims.’
Demonstrations were due to take place tomorrow outside courts across the country. However, the CBA said the demonstrations have been paused until next week ‘in light of the Secretary of State for Justice opening detailed discussions of the issues underpinning the ongoing action by criminal law barristers’.
Yesterday’s meeting could prove to be a significant turning point in the criminal bar’s action, which began in April when barristers refused to accept ‘returned’ cases.
The CBA says a 25% fee uplift is needed to prevent the further attrition of criminal barristers.
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