Law and Rights
Update 10th April: Message from the Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association
As reported in my earlier post (A pivotal decision for the criminal bar), members of the Criminal Bar Association were balloted on the following motion:
The result was that 1878 votes were received. 629 voted YES and 1249 voted NO. I understand that the 1878 voting figure is under 50% of those who were eligible to vote.
More details of the result are at Criminal Bar Association - Results of the ballot
I suspect that there will be relief in the Ministry of Justice and despair from other legal professionals who are fighting against the government's regressive plans for justice. I feel sure that the majority of the legal profession - irrespective of the part to which they belong - will feel that justice is under attack from the government which has enacted cuts to civil legal aid (see Access Denied - Catherine Baksi, Law Society Gazette 7th April), is imposing cuts to criminal legal aid and has acted to impose restrictions on access to judicial review. The key question now
will be whether the overall profession can mount a united front in the fight for justice for the citizen. I hope that it can. Here is some of the Twitter reaction ....
- All Rather Confusing ...!
Addenda - Sunday 26th July 2015 and Tuesday 28th July On Thursday 23rd July, representatives of the solicitor side of the legal profession met with the Lord Chancellor (Michael Gove) over their concerns about fee reductions for criminal legal aid...
- Criminal Bar And The Fight For Legal Aid
Update 15th July: Ballot result via Criminal Bar Association - the vote in favour of no new work and 'no returns' to support solicitor's action was 982 to 795 - equating to 55% in favour and 45% against. Francis Fitzgibbon QC was...
- Putting Off The Evil Day Or A Viable Pathway For The Criminal Justice System?
Update - Monday 31st March - Solicitors and Probation Staff are to commence action against Ministry of Justice plans for cuts to criminal legal aid and plans to "outsource" probation services - BBC News 31st March. Also, further links of interest...
- Independent Bar V Public Defender Scheme: Just What Is Going On?
See this advert - Job Description - Queen's Counsel, Senior Higher Courts Advocates and Junior Higher Courts Advocates The Ministry of Justice is managing a recruitment process for these posts in the Public Defender Service. Salaries range from...
- The Fight For Criminal Legal Aid And Justice
Protest ~ Old Bailey, LondonToday, lawyers took unprecedented action in their campaign on criminal legal aid. As far as anyone knows, there has never been a previous day when lawyers have decided not to attend court. The reasons for the action...
Law and Rights
Criminal Bar Association votes NO
As reported in my earlier post (A pivotal decision for the criminal bar), members of the Criminal Bar Association were balloted on the following motion:
?Do you wish to continue no returns and days of action until all the cuts and reduction in contracts are abandoned? Yes No |
The result was that 1878 votes were received. 629 voted YES and 1249 voted NO. I understand that the 1878 voting figure is under 50% of those who were eligible to vote.
More details of the result are at Criminal Bar Association - Results of the ballot
I suspect that there will be relief in the Ministry of Justice and despair from other legal professionals who are fighting against the government's regressive plans for justice. I feel sure that the majority of the legal profession - irrespective of the part to which they belong - will feel that justice is under attack from the government which has enacted cuts to civil legal aid (see Access Denied - Catherine Baksi, Law Society Gazette 7th April), is imposing cuts to criminal legal aid and has acted to impose restrictions on access to judicial review. The key question now
will be whether the overall profession can mount a united front in the fight for justice for the citizen. I hope that it can. Here is some of the Twitter reaction ....
Vote taken. CBA to take their course. I remain #ditchthedeal to the core but genuinely hope to be proved wrong. We will see.
? John Cooper (@John_Cooper_QC) April 9, 2014 But credit where credit is due the leaders of the CBA have been brave enough to put their reputations on the line for this. @TheCriminalBar
? John Cooper (@John_Cooper_QC) April 9, 2014 I hope now the Criminal Bar has spoken, we unite behind @TheCriminalBar - I also hope that Grayling is true to his word & engages in talk.
? Mark Harries (@MRHarries) April 9, 2014 @JamesPSVine Nevertheless, the profession has spoken, and we must all now support Nigel and Tony going forward. Battles yet to be won.
? Ian West (@ianswest) April 9, 2014 Oh Dear.However, deep breath, UNITE No to VHCC -30% Thanks to CBA for effort to date No to returns from sols post 7/4 It's not over Grayling
? Jon Whitfield QC (@jonwhitfieldqc) April 9, 2014 It's shameful that so few took the time to educate themselves and vote on something so important and far-reaching. @John_Cooper_QC I
? Steph Varle (@stephvarle) April 9, 2014
- All Rather Confusing ...!
Addenda - Sunday 26th July 2015 and Tuesday 28th July On Thursday 23rd July, representatives of the solicitor side of the legal profession met with the Lord Chancellor (Michael Gove) over their concerns about fee reductions for criminal legal aid...
- Criminal Bar And The Fight For Legal Aid
Update 15th July: Ballot result via Criminal Bar Association - the vote in favour of no new work and 'no returns' to support solicitor's action was 982 to 795 - equating to 55% in favour and 45% against. Francis Fitzgibbon QC was...
- Putting Off The Evil Day Or A Viable Pathway For The Criminal Justice System?
Update - Monday 31st March - Solicitors and Probation Staff are to commence action against Ministry of Justice plans for cuts to criminal legal aid and plans to "outsource" probation services - BBC News 31st March. Also, further links of interest...
- Independent Bar V Public Defender Scheme: Just What Is Going On?
See this advert - Job Description - Queen's Counsel, Senior Higher Courts Advocates and Junior Higher Courts Advocates The Ministry of Justice is managing a recruitment process for these posts in the Public Defender Service. Salaries range from...
- The Fight For Criminal Legal Aid And Justice
Protest ~ Old Bailey, LondonToday, lawyers took unprecedented action in their campaign on criminal legal aid. As far as anyone knows, there has never been a previous day when lawyers have decided not to attend court. The reasons for the action...