Criminal barristers to continue all-out strike despite Queen's death

Posted on : September 10, 2022

Criminal barristers to continue their all-out strike despite the Queen’s death 

  • Criminal barristers are to continue their all-out strike despite the Queen’s death 
  • Kirsty Brimelow KC said they were too close to success to break off now 
  • Strike action by other unions including RMT have been called off out of respect
  • Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing

Criminal barristers are to continue their all-out strike despite the Queen’s death.

The leader of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) said defence barristers will continue to refuse to work on legal aid-funded cases. 

CBA chairman Kirsty Brimelow KC told members: ‘This is a critical stage. The action is having substantial impact and resolution is a logical government step.’

Protests at courts and in Westminster next week have been called off, but the strike action will continue. Protests after the Queen’s funeral will be ‘kept under review’.

The Communication Workers Union axed yesterday’s postal strikes, and the RMT rail union has called off its strikes next Thursday and Saturday so mourners can get to London. 

The leader of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), Kirsty Brimelow KC, said defence barristers will continue to refuse to work on legal aid-funded cases

Criminal barristers gathered outside the Supreme Court as they begin their indefinite strike over pay and cuts to legal aid on Tuesday

Meanwhile, schools were told to stay open yesterday but held special assemblies, observed silences and lit candles to mark the death of the Queen.

Some adapted lessons, lowered flags to half-mast and invited pupils to write in books of memories about the longest-serving British monarch.

In an email to schools on Thursday, the Department for Education said they should ‘remain open’ during the period of national mourning, but added that they ‘may want to consider conducting special activities… to commemorate the life of Her Majesty’.

It is thought the funeral could be held on Monday, September 19. Once it is confirmed, officials will contact schools again with further guidance. If it takes place on a weekday, it is widely expected to be treated as a bank holiday and schools are thought to be likely to close.

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