Legal

Barristers threaten further strikes if pay not restored in budget

Last week’s withdrawal of service by criminal lawyers likely to be repeated if measures not deemed enough, says chairwoman of the Bar Council

Barristers in Cork take part in a one-day strike as part of a campaign led by the Bar of Ireland to secure restoration of fees. Picture: Darragh Kane

There were historic scenes on courthouse steps around the country last week as barristers stood together in protest over fees.

Holding boxes with slogans that described how the fees paid to criminal legal aid barristers remained at 2002 levels, the lawyers withdrew their services as part of a one-day strike action.

The move came after the Bar Council said it had “lost confidence” in the existing system for determining the criminal fees.

Criminal barristers have ...