Northern Ireland Criminal Lawyers Strike Over Fees

Criminal solicitors and barristers in Northern Ireland are participating in a one-day strike over inadequate legal aid fees, citing a decline in rates adjusted for inflation by 47% to 58% since 2005. This strike, deemed a 'last resort,' comes as the legal aid system faces a 'crisis point' with many barristers reportedly at breaking point due to prolonged court delays and stagnant fees, which have not increased in nearly 20 years. They are refusing to handle Category A Crown Court cases, including serious offenses like murder, and may escalate their actions if immediate fee increases are not implemented. The Law Society warns that the justice system could collapse without urgent adjustments to legal aid rates, emphasizing that solicitors can no longer afford to take on these cases. The Department of Justice expressed disappointment over the strike, acknowledging ongoing underfunding and emphasizing their efforts to secure additional funding. The situation underscores a critical need for reform in the legal aid system to ensure access to justice.