The Sheffield Star reports, "Barristers in Sheffield are planning to walk out of court in protest at government cuts to the criminal justice system - Sheffield Star
They are walking out for the first time in 300 years to protest cuts to legal aid.
The Birmingham Post reports that, Barristers, who will be protesting outside Birmingham Crown Court too, say they have been left with no choice but to walk out after making concerted attempts to help the Government make savings.Sarah Forshaw QC, one of Britain’s most senior barristers, said: “For months we have tried to engage in constructive dialogue with the Government, offering solutions that would both save money and preserve the British justice system - Birmingham Post
The Daily Telegraph says, Tomorrow morning, criminal barristers in England and Wales are staging a half-day of “mass non-attendance”, in protest at the radical cuts in legal aid fees proposed by Chris Grayling, the Justice Secretary. Instead of arguing in the courts, they will be demonstrating outside them.This has never happened before. For relations between the Government and the leading players in its own justice system to have deteriorated to this abject point must, in any civilised society, be regarded as a monumental failure by the Ministry of Justice - Daily Telegraph.
The Guardian Reports, “We entirely agree lawyers should be paid fairly for their work, and believe our proposals do just that. We also agree legal aid is a vital part of our justice system – that's why we have to find efficiencies to ensure it remains sustainable and available to those most in need of a lawyer. Among those addressing a demonstration outside Westminster magistrates court in London will be Janis Sharp, the mother of the computer hacker Gary McKinnon, who fought against extradition to the US. She said: "Without legal aid, unless you have money, you'll have no access to justice.” - The Guardian
The Criminal Bar will display Courage, Integrity and Determination when they walkout for justice in Sheffield, and up and down the country.
A message from Pat Waterman Chair of Napo Greater London Branch
‘I would like to urge all Napo members to consider that the Governments attack on legal aid is an attack on the entire justice system and support our Justice Alliance colleagues.
Our fight is their fight and their fight is our fight’
Join members of Napo Greater London Branch and Justice Alliance colleagues for a united demonstration against the injustice caused by Grayling's policies".
Support the Criminal Bar tomorrow, as this is about everybody having access to Justice, 6 Jan, 9.30am outside Sheffield Crown Court.
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