Fed-up Sheffield duty solicitors threaten Christmas strike over criminal contract

PAY DISPUTE: pressure mounts across country as solicitors set to become more militant

Duty solicitors in Yorkshire this week warned that they will refuse to sign the new criminal contract and go on strike over the Christmas period unless the government agrees to a list of demands - including a pay rise.

Members of the Sheffield scheme also called on the Law Society and Criminal Law Solicitors Association (CLSA) to pull out of negotiations with the government and the Legal Services Commission unless they increase pay and drop plans to impose fixed fees for telephone advice and restrict police station advice.

Danny Simpson, a partner at Sheffield firm Howells, argued: 'There is no point in entering into negotiations on the proposals that are currently on the table because they will only amount to a wage cut.'

Tensions are also growing over whether firms across the country will sign the new contract.

Ian Kelcey, a partner at Bristol firm Kelcey & Hall, said: 'We have considerable sympathy with our counterparts in Sheffield and will be having a meeting on Friday [this week] to discuss what further action we will take.'

Andrew Bishop, a partner at Brighton firm Bishop & Light, said there was 'widespread anger' among criminal practitioners in his area.

'The contract has to be re-signed for next year and there is talk of not signing it,' he said.

A Law Society spokesman said it was 'extremely concerned' by proposals to limit legal aid at police stations and would continue to make the government aware of how they would impact access to justice.

CLSA chairman Sandy Morrison said the best way forward was to continue with negotiations, although it shared the concerns of Sheffield practitioners.

'It is not surprising that duty solicitors should contemplate such dramatic action when they get a glimpse of what might lie ahead,' he added.

The Department for Constitutional Affairs and the commission said the aim of consultation on any changes was to debate how limited resources could be targeted more efficiently, adding that they would take all views into account before final decisions were made.

Speaking to the Gazette this week, Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer gave no hint that a pay rise would be forthcoming (see Gazette [2003] 31 July, page 14).

Paula Rohan