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The government opened a four-week consultation on how the pledged £15m extra fees for criminal defence barristers will be allocated.
In June the Ministry of Justice announced extra funding after barristers at more than 100 chambers refused to accept new cases in protest over the reformed advocates’ graduated fee scheme (AGFS), and threatened to escalate their action.
In a Criminal Bar Association (CBA) poll, more than 3,000 barristers voted by a narrow margin – 51.5% to 48.45% – to accept the pay offer and discontinue action.
Under the government proposal, fee rates will be increased for child sex offences, dishonesty offences and drug offences. In addition a 1% fee rise across all offences will come into effect in April 2019.
Justice minister, Lucy Frazer said: ‘We have worked closely with the leaders of the Bar Council and CBA to address concerns raised over the AGFS and we now welcome the thoughts of the wider legal professions on the revised scheme.
‘We are committed to working with the sector to support and strengthen the criminal advocacy profession and will listen carefully to the responses we receive.’
But Christina Blacklaws, President of the Law Society, criticised the government for ignoring the concerns of solicitors over inadequate litigation fees.
The government opened a four-week consultation on how the pledged £15m extra fees for criminal defence barristers will be allocated.
In June the Ministry of Justice announced extra funding after barristers at more than 100 chambers refused to accept new cases in protest over the reformed advocates’ graduated fee scheme (AGFS), and threatened to escalate their action.
In a Criminal Bar Association (CBA) poll, more than 3,000 barristers voted by a narrow margin – 51.5% to 48.45% – to accept the pay offer and discontinue action.
Under the government proposal, fee rates will be increased for child sex offences, dishonesty offences and drug offences. In addition a 1% fee rise across all offences will come into effect in April 2019.
Justice minister, Lucy Frazer said: ‘We have worked closely with the leaders of the Bar Council and CBA to address concerns raised over the AGFS and we now welcome the thoughts of the wider legal professions on the revised scheme.
‘We are committed to working with the sector to support and strengthen the criminal advocacy profession and will listen carefully to the responses we receive.’
But Christina Blacklaws, President of the Law Society, criticised the government for ignoring the concerns of solicitors over inadequate litigation fees.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By David Green
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Born from a grievance, their research project grew into a book and is now challenging the status quo. Emma Price and Emma-Louise Fenelon reveal the key findings – and the critical next steps
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
