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Over one thousand barristers, solicitors and campaigners demonstrated outside Parliament on Friday 7 March in a second day of action against the Government’s Transforming legal aid proposals. Dubbed ‘Grayling Day’, the protest was organised by the Justice Alliance and supported by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association and Criminal Law Solicitors Association, and followed the half-day court stay-away on 6 January.
The rally gathered at Old Palace Yard opposite Westminster at 10am to hear speakers including Janis Sharp, mother of Gary McKinnon, Paddy Hill of the Birmingham Six and Shami Chakrabati of Liberty, who described it as a “day of shame” for the Lord Chancellor. Maxine Peake, who plays Martha Costello QC in the TV drama Silk, joined campaigners, as did civil and family practitioners.
An effigy of the Lord Chancellor was carried throughout the demonstration, which marched on to the Ministry of Justice and entered its Petty France offices. Barristers and solicitors then attended a meeting in Methodist Central Hall where speakers further denounced the legal aid reforms and proposed future action.
The impact of the full-day walk-out, which affected many trials and disrupted courts across England and Wales, was downplayed by the Ministry of Justice.
An HM Courts & Tribunals Service spokesperson said that “98% of magistrates’ courtrooms and 72% of Crown courtrooms sat as expected on the day. Fewer courts sat into the afternoon as cases were dealt with in the morning.” But the CBA said that the number of trials affected was significant.
Meanwhile, the CBA ‘no returns’ policy is now in effect. Criminal barristers who have chosen to adopt the policy will not accept a return from another member of the Bar on any legally aided defence case in the Crown Court. At least 200 cases have so far been returned, according to the CBA, with only three picked up.
Nigel Lithman QC, CBA Chairman, said: “If there is no change in MOJ policy after one month of accepting no returns, the criminal Bar will consider taking steps escalating in seriousness in response to the Government’s intransigence.” He added:
“What is done will always be a matter for individual members of the CBA.”
The CBA ‘no returns’ protocol, together with guidance issued by the Lord Chief Justice “to assist judges in managing the consequences” of the action, is available on www.criminalbar.com.
An effigy of the Lord Chancellor was carried throughout the demonstration, which marched on to the Ministry of Justice and entered its Petty France offices. Barristers and solicitors then attended a meeting in Methodist Central Hall where speakers further denounced the legal aid reforms and proposed future action.
The impact of the full-day walk-out, which affected many trials and disrupted courts across England and Wales, was downplayed by the Ministry of Justice.
An HM Courts & Tribunals Service spokesperson said that “98% of magistrates’ courtrooms and 72% of Crown courtrooms sat as expected on the day. Fewer courts sat into the afternoon as cases were dealt with in the morning.” But the CBA said that the number of trials affected was significant.
Meanwhile, the CBA ‘no returns’ policy is now in effect. Criminal barristers who have chosen to adopt the policy will not accept a return from another member of the Bar on any legally aided defence case in the Crown Court. At least 200 cases have so far been returned, according to the CBA, with only three picked up.
Nigel Lithman QC, CBA Chairman, said: “If there is no change in MOJ policy after one month of accepting no returns, the criminal Bar will consider taking steps escalating in seriousness in response to the Government’s intransigence.” He added:
“What is done will always be a matter for individual members of the CBA.”
The CBA ‘no returns’ protocol, together with guidance issued by the Lord Chief Justice “to assist judges in managing the consequences” of the action, is available on www.criminalbar.com.
Over one thousand barristers, solicitors and campaigners demonstrated outside Parliament on Friday 7 March in a second day of action against the Government’s Transforming legal aid proposals. Dubbed ‘Grayling Day’, the protest was organised by the Justice Alliance and supported by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association and Criminal Law Solicitors Association, and followed the half-day court stay-away on 6 January.
The rally gathered at Old Palace Yard opposite Westminster at 10am to hear speakers including Janis Sharp, mother of Gary McKinnon, Paddy Hill of the Birmingham Six and Shami Chakrabati of Liberty, who described it as a “day of shame” for the Lord Chancellor. Maxine Peake, who plays Martha Costello QC in the TV drama Silk, joined campaigners, as did civil and family practitioners.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
