Strike as barristers face 'less than minimum wage'

MANCHESTER'S crown courts ground to a halt after barristers went out on strike in a row over pay.

- ASHLIE BLAKEY

About 100 lawyers picketed outside Manchester Crown Court in Spinningfields, holding placards with slogans including 'crime doesn't pay, 'no legal aid cuts' and 'save British justice!

Barristers say they have had a real-terms wage decrease of 28 per cent since 2006, and that droves of criminal lawyers are leaving the profession.

One junior barrister told the M.E.N. she earns less than minimum wage while working as a criminal barrister for cases funded by legal aid.

And another recalled how she didn't have enough money to pay for a train fare to attend court. The Criminal Bar Association, which represents barristers, said junior lawyers in their first three years of work earn a median income of £12,200, which is below minimum wage.

Many cases at Manchester Crown Court were halted yesterday due to a lack of defence barristers. Jurors in a number of trials were told to return tomorrow, as barristers were due to walk out again today.

Manchester's most senior judge, the Honorary Recorder Nicholas Dean QC, told jurors that there was 'industrial action' taking place which meant the trial could not 'realistically carry on!