---

North’s barristers extend action over fees

The North’s justice minister has said that she is “hugely disappointed” by a decision taken by barristers to extend a withdrawal of some services in a dispute over fees.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) voted on Monday (27 January) to extend its current withdrawal of services in all legally aided Crown Court cases for four weeks from 1 February.

Criminal barristers in the North have also been refusing to take new instructions in certain categories of cases since the beginning of November 2024. 

From February, this refusal will also apply to more types of cases.

Donal Lunny KC (chair of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland) described the extended action as regrettable but inevitable, adding that the North’s Department of Justice had “failed to engage meaningfully with the Bar” during January.

Process

In a statement, justice minister Naomi Long said that a continued withdrawal of services would only add to the stress and anxiety already being experienced by victims and witnesses.

Long has said that she will deliver a 16% increase in criminal legal-aid fees as soon as possible but has also warned that there is a process to go through – including legislation to underpin the increases.

She has asked for a meeting with the Bar and has scheduled a meeting with the Law Society of Northern Ireland on the issue.

“We need to bring this to a conclusion, and I am a willing partner in wanting to achieve that, but we have to meet each other halfway,” Long concluded.