Criminal barristers in Northern Ireland have voted to extend their strike over Legal Aid into February, further disrupting court proceedings. The strike, which began last month, has already caused significant delays in Belfast Crown Court, impacting numerous high-profile cases.
Criminal barristers in Northern Ireland , engaged in industrial action over Legal Aid, have voted to extend their strike into February. Last month, the Criminal Bar Association announced a four-week withdrawal from all Legally-Aided Crown Court cases, beginning on January 6th and ending on January 31st. However, following unsatisfactory correspondence from the Department of Justice regarding the dispute, a second vote was held among barristers.
Four options were presented: no extension, a one-week extension, a two-week extension, and a four-week extension. Of the 218 criminal barristers who voted, 77% opted for the four-week extension. This means the strike will continue throughout February, significantly impacting court proceedings in Belfast and beyond.The strike has already caused major disruptions in Belfast Crown Court. Despite arraignments, pleas, and trials being scheduled, a majority of cases listed for January did not proceed. They were adjourned and re-listed for February. However, with the strike now extended for another four weeks, it is highly likely these cases will also be delayed. Some high-profile cases potentially affected by the extended strike include the resumption of a trial concerning the April 2019 murder of Lyra McKee, involving ten defendants from Derry; a murder trial concerning the death of Bangor man Ryan McNab, who died in Rathcoole in October 2022; the sentencing of John David Scott, who pleaded guilty to murdering his partner Natasha Melendez in April 2020; and the case involving eight men and one woman due to be sentenced for charges related to the January 2019 murder of east Belfast father-of-two Ian Ogle.The ongoing crisis in the Crown Courts is expected to be a major topic of discussion at a meeting of the Justice Committee scheduled for next week at Stormont. The meeting will likely address the implications of the extended strike, the backlog of cases, and potential solutions to alleviate the strain on the justice system
STRIKES LEGAL AID CRIMINAL JUSTICE NORTHERN IRELAND BELFAST CROWN COURT
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