Criminal barristers will withdraw their services from Monday for four weeks in a dispute over legal aid payments.
The dispute centres on the failure to increase fees for nearly 20 years and what the Northern Ireland Bar Council is describing as “crippling payment” delays.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said she remains disappointed at the action being taken by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), arguing it “will impact most acutely on the victims and witnesses who are waiting to give evidence and receive justice”
“The uncertainty caused by the withdrawal of services will only add further to the stress and anxiety they may already be experiencing,” Mrs Long said in a statement.
“This action will also add to existing pressures on the system and exacerbate the delays that my department and justice system partners have been striving to address.”
She added that her department has been “proactively engaging with justice system colleagues to try and minimise the impact of the withdrawal of services and ensure those victims and witnesses who are affected are supported and will continue to do so if CBA action continues”
“I hope the association will take cognisance of the impact of their action and of efforts which they are aware are being made to improve the system for citizens and ensure fair proportionate remuneration.”
Donal Lunny KC, chair of the Bar Council, previously said said: “The withdrawal of services on the part of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) is regrettable, but the Department of Justice’s approach in reviewing the operation of our system of Criminal Legal Aid has made it inevitable.”
