‘Years of savage cuts’ have left the courts dealing ‘with declining numbers of cases as crime rises, solicitor recruitment and retention levels in crisis’ and life at the criminal Bar rendered ‘unsustainable’, the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) chair has said.
In his inaugural message to members, Chris Henley QC, of Carmelite Chambers, who replaces Angela Rafferty QC, said barristers could resume their protest action over cuts implemented via the advocates graduated fee scheme (AGFS) if the Ministry of Justice fails to keep its promise to invest an extra £15m. He said there were ‘real positives’ in the Ministry's offer, particularly for ‘junior juniors’, for example, ‘a minimum refresher floor of £350, and the same fee if a trial is stood out is a real improvement on the old scheme' (the relevant fee pre-April was £130).
Henley asked barristers to send him examples of any injustices caused by the AGFS so the CBA can build an evidence base.
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