Barristers are set to launch all out strike action at Bolton and around the country in protest against ‘years of decline and neglect.’
The strike action, which could affect hundreds of criminal cases at Bolton Crown Court, will begin on September 5 and will go on continuously until a solution is found.
This comes after an escalating dispute over pay, with some barristers paid so little than they make less than the UK living wage.
Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi said: "As a former criminal barrister, I know first hand just how tough supporting the criminal justice system is.
“After 12 years of decline and neglect under the Conservative Government, barristers are at breaking point.
“In some cases criminal barristers are paid less than the minimum wage, they work long hours, and are in insecure work.
“Put simply, they are at their wit's end.”
Up until now barristers had been striking on alternate weeks amid an ongoing rate over government set rates for legal aid.
The move to continuous striking marks a serious step up in the action with nearly 80 per cent of barristers voting in favour of escalating the action, compared to 11 per cent who wanted to continue the current action and nine per cent who called for an end to the strikes all together.
Ms Qureshi said: “The courts backlog is constantly growing, and the mismanagement of the justice system has lead to 40 per cent of junior barristers and 25 per cent of all criminal barristers leaving the profession.
“Their decision to strike is one which will not have been taken lightly, and as a Labour MP I will always support their right to strike and support them in their attempts to get a fair deal in the midst of the deepest cost of living crisis since the 1970s."
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But the government says it is working to address the problems barristers are facing.
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab MP said: “My message to the CBA is simple.”
“We are increasing your pay.
“Now your actions are only harming victims, increasing the court backlog, and hampering our efforts to make our streets safer.”
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