Four murder accused to be released on bail amid legal aid strikes – The Guardian

‘Four people accused of murder are to be released on bail after a judge refused to extend the time they could be kept in custody pending trial.’

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The Guardian, 22nd September 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Striking barristers hold talks with new justice secretary – BBC News

Posted September 22nd, 2022 in barristers, criminal justice, industrial action, legal aid, news, remuneration by sally

‘Barristers on strike in England and Wales have been urged to return to work during their first round of negotiations with the justice secretary.’

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BBC News, 21st September 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Delays leave man facing four years in Leicester jail without trial – The Guardian

‘A man has been told he will have to spend at least four years and three months in jail without trial as a result of Covid, barrister strikes and a malfunctioning courtroom.’

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The Guardian, 15th September 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Barristers accuse ministers of rushing release of pre-recorded video evidence – The Guardian

‘Barristers have accused ministers of ignoring a crisis in the criminal justice system by continuing to roll out pre-recorded video evidence for rape survivors in England and Wales amid a strike by advocates. The policy, allowing complainants of offences including modern slavery to be cross-examined before trial in front of a limited number of people, was extended to five more crown courts on Friday, taking the total to 63. Three-quarters of courts are covered and all will be by the end of the month.’

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The Guardian, 9th September 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Barrister strike: Criminal law is not dying, it’s dead, says barrister – BBC News

Posted September 6th, 2022 in barristers, criminal justice, industrial action, legal aid, news, remuneration by sally

‘Criminal law is “not dying, it’s pretty much dead” one barrister has claimed.’

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BBC News, 6th September 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Barristers strike: ‘The system is falling apart and victims are let down’ – BBC News

‘As many defence barristers begin an indefinite strike over pay, the BBC spoke to a barrister about her day-to-day work in the “falling apart” criminal justice system and to an alleged victim of sexual abuse caught up in the backlog of cases.’

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BBC News, 5th September 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Barristers start indefinite strike action over pay in England and Wales – BBC News

‘Barristers in England and Wales are starting an indefinite, uninterrupted strike, in an escalation of industrial action over pay which began in April.’

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BBC News, 5th September 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Convictions for peaceful protests “should not lead to regulatory action” – Legal Futures

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is unlikely to take action against solicitors convicted in exercising their right to protest where no significant harm has been caused, it said yesterday.’

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Legal Futures, 2nd September 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Court ‘chaos’ seeing criminals go free, victims’ commissioner warns, as barristers strike – The Independent

‘Court “chaos” is resulting in criminals going free, the victims’ commissioner has warned, as barristers move to an all-out strike. Record backlogs, which are already seeing cases scheduled late in 2024, are expected to be worsened significantly by a continuous walkout starting on Tuesday that will bring most crown court hearings to a halt in England and Wales.’

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The Independent, 29th August 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

It tears barristers like me apart to strike, but the government has left us no choice Simon Spence – The Guardian

“The walkout in England and Wales is not merely about pay: it is about a criminal justice system that has been left to crumble.”

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The Guardian, 22nd August 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Why criminal barristers are striking over legal aid funding – The Guardian

Posted August 23rd, 2022 in barristers, criminal justice, industrial action, legal aid, news, remuneration by sally

‘Criminal barristers in England and Wales have voted overwhelmingly to strike indefinitely from 5 September, the same date the new Conservative leader and prime minister will be announced.’

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The Guardian, 22nd August 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Barristers vote for all-out strike from 5 September – The Independent

‘Criminal defence barristers are to go on an all-out strike from next week, bringing the majority of crown court cases to a grinding halt.’

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The Independent, 22nd August 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

What does UK law say about strikes? – OUP Blog

Posted August 16th, 2022 in codes of practice, employment, industrial action, news by sally

‘Every day there are reports of further strikes. Chaos on the railways, the London Underground brought to a standstill, airlines, teachers, the NHS: the list goes on. On one hand, people are fighting for their rights, some would say justifiably. On the other, employers are trying to keep things running. While strikes cause huge disruption for the public, they are also one of the few levers available to employees to bargain for their position.’

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OUP Blog, 11th August 2022

Source: blog.oup.com

Union’s head of legal receives apology over picket line arrest – Legal Futures

‘A barrister working as a trade union’s in-house lawyer has received a formal apology and damages of £3,000 from the Metropolitan Police after he was arrested on a picket line.’

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Legal Futures, 28th July 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Law change allows organisations to employ agency workers during strikes – Local Government Lawyer

‘A new law is now in place that will enable organisations impacted by industrial action to plug staffing gaps with agency workers, the Government has said.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 25th July 2022

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

UK rape victim left feeling ‘suicidal’ after five-year wait for case to come to trial – The Guardian

‘A rape victim who will have been waiting five years by the time her case comes to court has said navigating the justice process has had a worse impact on her mental health than the crime itself, leaving her feeling “suicidal”.’

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The Guardian, 24th July 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Brenda Hale: ‘There’s absolutely no need to scrap the Human Rights Act’ – The Guardian

‘renda Hale is a British judge who served as president of the supreme court of the United Kingdom from 2017 until her retirement in 2020. Lady Hale studied law at Cambridge, was called to the bar and then worked as an academic for many years. In 1984, she became the youngest person to be appointed to the Law Commission. In 1999, she was only the second woman to be appointed to the court of appeal. It fell to Hale, in September 2019, to deliver the judgment of the supreme court in the matter of the Queen’s prorogation of parliament on the advice of Boris Johnson. The court ruled that the prorogation was unlawful and the spider brooch Hale wore on that fateful day became one of the most famous fashion accessories in history. Her memoir, Spider Woman: A Life, is now out in paperback.’

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The Guardian, 24th July 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Criminal courts face further disruption as barristers strike for fourth week – The Independent

‘Barristers have walked out for a fourth week as industrial action continues at courts around the country.’

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The Independent, 18th July 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

MPs approve controversial plans to let agency workers cover for striking staff – The Guardian

Posted July 12th, 2022 in casual workers, industrial action, news, trade unions by tracey

‘Ministers have approved controversial plans to allow agency workers to replace striking workers, voting through the regulations on Monday night by 289 votes to 202.’

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The Guardian, 12th July 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Criminal courts face disruption as barristers strike for second week – The Independent

‘Barristers have accused the Government of “refusing” to negotiate as strikes continue at criminal courts around the country for a second week.’

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The Independent, 4th July 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk