Barrister blasts 'broken' criminal justice system in strike outside Manchester Crown Court

A barrister on strike outside a court in Manchester has said the government are responsible for what she described as a 'broken' criminal justice system.

Kirsty Brimelow QC said the walkouts were being staged as a 'last resort' in a dispute over legal aid funding. She added that pressure on barristers is 'onerous', particularly after the Covid pandemic with a backlog of cases now built up.

She was one of a group of barristers on the picket line outside Manchester Crown Court this morning on the first day of strike action. The walkouts will be held over several days over the coming weeks.

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As well as walking out, barristers will also refuse to accept new cases and to carry out 'return work'– stepping in and picking up court hearings and other work for colleagues whose cases are overrunning. The Criminal Bar Association (CBA), which represents barristers in England and Wales, said around 81.5 per cent of more than 2,000 members who voted in the ballot supported walking out of court.

Of those who backed walkouts, most voted for the option of refusing new cases as well. In total, 43.5 per cent of all those balloted opted for this particular combination.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast outside court today, Ms Brimelow, the vice chair of the Criminal Bar Association which represents barristers in England and Wales, said: "This action has been taken after a democratic ballot and really as a last resort.

"Pressure on barristers is really onerous and everyone here knows about their code of conduct and their duties to the court and to their clients. Clients are consulted. Clients are support of this action.

"Those within the criminal