Both defence and prosecution practitioners had been due to protest by staging a 1 July ‘walkout’ and refusing returns, but were offered ‘an accelerated package of measures’ by the Crown Prosecution Service, Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General. The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) then balloted its members on whether to provisionally accept or reject the deal.
Some 2,607 barristers voted, with 1,583 (61%) in favour of suspending action.
In their ‘Monday Message’, CBA chair Chris Henley QC and vice-chair Caroline Goodwin QC said: ‘This offer is not a solution―but provides an interim position.
‘We have made it clear that unless the CPS offer is implemented and meaningful solutions for AGFS (Advocates’ Graduated Fees Scheme) are proposed in November, then all bets will be off. The mandate stands and your anger will not be contained indefinitely.’
Last year, the CBA negotiated fee increases of £23m for defence work after protests by criminal barristers.
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