The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has voted “overwhelmingly” for direct action in protest at the government’s cuts to Legal Aid.
Legal Aid reforms were introduced in April 2013 and 2014 and affected some housing and family law cases – including divorce cases – as well as funding for criminal cases.
Cuts to Legal Aid in criminal cases raised concerns that, in some cases, less experienced junior barristers would have to represent defendants in complex cases requiring a more senior barrister with specialist expertise, simply because of costs.
The CBA has already staged half-days of strike action, which closed Magistrates’ Courts and Crown Courts and delayed hearings.
The Law Society Gazette reports that 4,000 members of the CBA were polled over taking further direction action in protest at more planned Legal Aid reforms affecting criminal cases.
The CBA said that 96% of those who responded “in an unprecedented 35% turnout” had urged the CBA to take action to “press the government to think again”.
The CBA has not yet made known the next steps that will be taken to protest against government reforms to Legal Aid.
Duncan Lewis Crime Solicitors
Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid criminal defence solicitors and has offices nationwide, including 20 offices across London and the southeast.
Duncan Lewis crime solicitors are available 24/7, 365 days a year to advise at any stage of a criminal charge – and a criminal defence solicitor can usually reach a client at a police station or court in less than an hour.
For expert legal advice on all criminal charges, call Duncan Lewis crime solicitors on 020 7923 4020.
For 24/7 legal help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.