Barristers face penalties over walkout threat

BARRISTERS have been warned by the Lord Chief Justice they face disciplinary action and even potential financial penalties over their strike action.

In guidance to judges, Lord Burnett said that those who failed to turn up for a case in which they had been instructed could be accused of “professional misconduct”.

He warned that it would also be up to the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether to apply for “wasted costs” as a result of the no-show.

Some barristers believe the move may be an attempt to head off serious disruption which could bring already backlogged courts to a halt.

Lawyers from the Criminal Bar Association voted by 81.5 per cent to refuse to take on new cases from next week amid concerns the Government will not improve a proposed increase in Legal Aid for criminal cases. The action will begin with walkouts on Monday and Tuesday, increasing by one day each week until a five-day strike from July 18. It will then become indefinite.