Government offers to double court fees after barristers threaten strike

 Criminal barristers who threatened to strike over pay are to see their fees double under a government offer to settle the dispute.

Prosecuting barristers in England and Wales threatened a walkout on July 1 over day rates as low as £46.50 for preparing complex cases, effectively less than the minimum wage.

Under the improved offer, standard appearance fees will rise from £46.50 to £90, sentencing fees from £60 to £125 and payments for appeals against conviction from £117 to £250.

It means barristers could earn £1,000 to £1,500 more for a typical two-week trial. The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) will recommend that its members accept the changes, which will take effect for all hearings and trials under way as of Sept 1.

A CBA survey had found that 95 per cent of criminal barristers were willing to take action over pay. The CBA said rates had not risen for 20 years.

Max Hill, Director of Public Prosecutions, said the offer “will address the most pressing concerns”. A wider review of fees is expected to conclude by the end of September.