The strongest support among barristers for the 'strike' action launched this week over legal aid pay rates is in the north, with other circuits more divided, early indications suggest.

Andrew Keogh, partner in the Manchester office of leading criminal law firm Tuckers, told the Gazette: 'We are pretty clear that all Manchester chambers are not accepting briefs, and we think the situation is the same in Preston.'


Michael Redfern QC, leader of the northern circuit, described the mood there as 'angry and militant'. He claimed: 'This problem has been going on for the last eight years and was made worse by the recent cuts of 5 July, which were without notice, warning or discussion, at the same time that Lord Carter's review was announced.'


The bar in the midlands seems more divided, according to Malcolm Fowler, partner at Birmingham firm Jonas Roy Bloom. 'By and large the junior bar are all for action as they are the ones who are suffering - the more senior members are rather torn or against it,' he suggested.


Rodney Warren, director of the Criminal Law Solicitors Association, said it had not yet received any feedback about potential problems. He added: 'Although it is very early days, it seems almost all barristers in the south-east will continue to accept new work, despite their considerable unhappiness.'


Nicholas Hilliard, chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, said: 'It is difficult at this stage to know what the effect will be and different parts of the country will have different experiences.' He said next week was the earliest that any indication would be given with the first cases being sent up to the Crown Court.


Mr Redfern also suggested it would take seven to 14 weeks before a major impact was seen.


Meanwhile, the Lord Chancellor is considering submissions made by the bar regarding the new regulations for payments in guilty pleas and cracked trials.


Last week, Lord Falconer told the Gazette he had asked the courts to organise their lists to minimise the impact of any strike.