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The Bar took action. Solicitors did not. United action might well have forced the govenment to reverse some or all of the cuts to lower crime and LGF. But whilst the CBA organised action and barristers went without pay for two months, the solicitors organisations did not and solicitors kept accepting cases under the new scheme.

As a partner in a firm, I am as guilty as everyone else as I did not take action either. I didn't do what the Bar did and refuse to accept cases under the new LGF rate. Had collective action been organised I would have been prepared to participate.

We can't keep telling the Bar that they must take action, whilst we do not. I know it is difficult. Like most firms, my lower crime income just about covers running costs and so declining Crown Court work would mean that partners have no income until any action is resolved. But that is no more than the most junior barristers in chambers have had to suffer to bring this action.

We can't keep saying to the Bar, you take the financial pain and give up your income. We are not prepared to do so and we won't support your action by also declining work and then be suprised when the govenment only negotates with the Bar. The Bar went it alone over strike action and we didn't. Everytime we don't do it, we just make clear to the govenment that it can get away with cuts to LGF because solicitors won't strike and will keep doing the work at the lower rate, but the bar won't have it and is prepared to take action.

We need to do the same thing.