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North’s criminal barristers step up fees action

The North’s justice minister has said that she is “disappointed” by industrial action being taken by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) in a dispute over fees. 

CBA members have withdrawn from appearing in all legally aided Crown Court cases listed up to 31 January. 

This action, which began yesterday (6 January), is taking place in addition to a continuing withdrawal of services in certain categories of criminal cases, which started in November last year. 

‘Regrettable but inevitable’ 

Bar Council chair Donal Lunny KC described the CBA’s escalation of action as “regrettable but inevitable”. 

He said that fees for criminal work had not increased for 20 years, despite the increased workload and complexity of cases. 

The action follows a meeting in December at which a majority of CBA members indicated their support for an extended withdrawal of services. 

Pressures 

Justice minister Naomi Long warned, however, that the action would affect victims and witnesses waiting to give evidence and receive justice. 

“This action will also add to existing pressures on the system and exacerbate the delays that my department and justice-system partners have been striving to address,” she added. 

Long said that she was committed to continuing regular engagement with the Bar of Northern Ireland and the CBA on the fees issue. 

“However, there is a process to go through, not least in terms of delivering legislation and we need time to do this. Industrial action will not speed up this process,” she concluded.