Barristers in NI begin four-week strike in legal aid dispute

Donal Lunny KC, chair of the Bar Council, said while the withdrawal of services was regrettable, the department’s review of the legal aid system had made it inevitable.

“Fees for legally-aided criminal work have not been increased since 2005 and are worth just 50% of their original value,” he said.

“Additionally, barristers are subject to crippling payment delays, under a policy imposed by the DoJ on the basis of balancing its budget.”

Mr Lunny said criminal barristers had indicated that remuneration levels in the most serious and complex cases “do not allow counsel to provide the expert advocacy that these cases demand and that the public deserves”.

“These cases are not funded to a level which allows for proper representation at present,” he added.

Long said she was “committed to continuing regular engagement” with the Bar Council and CBA “to progress reform and to resolve the withdrawal of services”.

“This includes delivering a significant uplift in fees,” she added.

“However, there is a process to go through, not least in terms of delivering legislation and we need time to do this.”