Strike action by criminal defence barristers seems likely to kick off on 3 October to coincide with legal aid fee cuts coming into force.

From that date, barristers will see their hourly rates cut by 11% in cases lasting between 11 and 40 days, and QCs will see their rates slashed in one-to-ten-day cases.


A Bar Council spokesman said: 'There is no doubt that there is great anger among barristers at the way the government has high-handedly cut pay rates for publicly funded work.


'Many individuals are now saying that they won't take cases under the new rates when they come into force.'


A Department for Constitutional Affairs spokeswoman said the Lord Chancellor is considering representations made in respect of the cuts, but said they were necessary following an estimated £130 million legal aid overspend this year.