Last year, 1436 criminal court hearings were delayed because there was no barrister to represent one side or the other.
Back in 2019, that number was just 71.
For Counsel I ask:
Where have all the criminal barristers gone?
Back in 2019, that number was just 71.
For Counsel I ask:
Where have all the criminal barristers gone?
Comments
Interesting to hear of those 1436 delayed criminal court hearings
In April 2034, MOJ refused to say how many of 263,925 prisoners taken to court in 2022/23 arrived late. Nor how late.
Because it could “prejudice commercial interests”
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/delayed_prisoner_deliveries_to_c#incoming-2609054
#FOI
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/campaigns/criminal-justice/criminal-duty-solicitors#age
Depressing for me to read as the reality is that the seeds for all of this were already planted and proliferating decades ago even when I was a young barrister. Non payment of fees or delays of payment for years for young barristers meant massive loans or family money needed.
No better…in fact worse… decades later?
Thank you. The whole criminal justice system fails everyone involved and only keeps limping along due to the sacrifices of those such as you.
The public need to be educated on this.
She's immediately taken a two week holiday.
Legal aid rates make criminal practice unaffordable; also massive court closures over the last 14 years, lack of judges (& court staff). Some serious cases won’t come to trial until 2026 - a betrayal of both victims & defendants.
I’d really recommend reading, it’s an excellent - if depressing! - read
https://www.counselmagazine.co.uk/articles/where-have-all-the-criminal-barristers-gone-by-joanna-hardy-susskind
Asking on behalf of one who is struggling right now.
Sadly