Legal

Decision to strike reflects the frustration of barristers – Sara Phelan, chair of Bar Council

The representative body has called for action as part of an ongoing dispute over reductions to legal fees in criminal cases made during the recession

Sara Phelan SC pictured as Criminal barristers gathered outside the Central Criminal Court in Dublin to demonstrate the rising unrest amongst the profession about fees. Picture: Collins

Last week, the representative body for the barrister profession recommended a strike action for its members as part of an ongoing dispute over recession-era cuts to criminal legal aid fees.

This was the first time the Bar Council had recommended a strike to its members since the 1990s.

Sara Phelan SC, chair of the Bar Council, explains the reason this decision was made.

The decision of the Council of the Bar of Ireland to support ...