Lawyers call off strike after deal

SENIOR criminal lawyers in England and Wales on Monday (10) called off their strike action after voting to accept a government pay offer.

The lawyers began a series of escalating walkouts over fees and conditions in June.

“The Criminal Bar has voted to accept the proposal made by the government. With 57 per cent voting to accept the offer..., action is suspended from 1800 (1700 GMT) this evening,” the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), which represents lawyers, said.

The justice secretary, Brandon Lewis, welcomed the “breakthrough” which he hoped marked the restart of “a constructive relationship... to drive down the backlog and ensure victims see justice done sooner. I’m glad that barristers have now agreed to return to work,” he said on Twitter.

The criminal justice system has come under massive pressure due to Covid backlogs, as well as years of cuts to statefunded legal aid work that ensures representation for defendants on lower incomes.

The CBA said poor pay rates have made recruitment to the profession difficult, and has sparked an exodus of lawyers, including 300 last year alone.

The offer represented “further investment of £54 million in the criminal bar and solicitors”, according to the Ministry of Justice.

The lawyers had been demanding an immediate 15 per cent hike in legal aid payments. They had also been refusing to accept new cases or cover for colleagues.