An Offer for the Criminal Bar to Consider
Amidst all of the economic doom and gloom of the past few days, the government did have some positive news to report today.
These proposals mean criminal barristers will receive an uplift in fees for the vast majority of Crown Court cases. I urge members of the @TheCriminalBar to end their strike and work with me to reduce the backlog and deliver for victims.
Yes, the Secretary of State for Justice was able to announce that progress had been made in respect of the strike action by the Criminal Bar Association.
Unfortunately the headline is a little misleading because it appears to suggest that the issues have been totally resolved when that is not the case. As the Criminal Bar Association pointed out, members will be balloted on suspending action on the basis of an interim package proposed by the government.
The members of the CBA will be balloted on suspending action on the basis of an interim package.
The details are being discussed with our members.
It is not a good start that the Lord Chancellor @BrandonLewis has insisted on going ahead with a premature press release.
In other words we are still some distance from any real and lasting agreement but this is certainly a sign of progress.