London: Nearly 2,500 barristers who are essential to the criminal justice system in England and Wales are starting industrial action over concerns about legal aid funding. They will refuse to step in at the last minute to pick up court appearances or preparatory work for colleagues whose cases are over-running. It stems from an unresolved row with the government over funding.
The government said the action would make existing backlogs worse. The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has accused ministers of dragging their feet over implementing a 15% rise in rates for legal aid – as recommended by an independent review. The CBA said 15% was the bare minimum needed to prevent the system from collapsing.
Read more: BBC News, https://rb.gy/8e3ykb
