header-logo header-logo

A complex state of affairs

17 January 2014 / Jon Robins
Issue: 7590 / Categories: Opinion , Legal aid focus
printer mail-detail

Jon Robins observes the fallout from the recent legal aid protests

It was handbags at dawn. The offending item being one Mulberry Bayswater handbag reportedly worth £1,100 and belonging to “a lady barrister”, as the Daily Mail delicately put it in its coverage of barristers protesting last week outside the Old Bailey.

The gathering was, according to the Mail , “the most privileged picket line ever”. “Some junior barristers earn as little as £13,000 a year, their leaders said” and so, the Mail sniped, “perhaps it was a mistake” to sport such a lavish accessory to a demo. All strikes have their hate-figures, reflected The Independent . “For the miners in 1984 it was Margaret Thatcher. For today’s barristers, the proposed cuts...have become the equivalent of pit closures.”

The standoff between the criminal defence profession and the government is a complex and convoluted state of affairs. It must be difficult for the public to make sense of last week’s walkout which was supported by thousands of solicitors as well as barristers. Solicitors supported their comrades at the Bar by missing out

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

A good book, a glass of chilled Albarino, and being creative for pleasure help Liz McGrath balance the rigours of complex bundles and being Head of Chambers

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Firm welcomes director in its financial services financial regulatory team

Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn

Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn Premium Content

Partner appointment in firm’s equity capital markets team

NEWS

Law school partners with charity to give free assistance to litigants in need

Magic circle firms, in-house legal departments and litigation firms alike are embracing more flexible ways to manage surges of workloads, the success of Flex Legal has shown

Magic circle firms, in-house legal departments and litigation firms alike are embracing more flexible ways to manage surges of workloads, the success of Flex Legal has shown

Magic circle firms, in-house legal departments and litigation firms alike are embracing more flexible ways to manage surges of workloads, the success of Flex Legal has shown

Walkers and runners will take in some of London’s finest views at the 16th annual charity event

back-to-top-scroll