Criminal Defence Representation deliberated at Bar General Meeting

Barristers practicing in the Crown Courts in Northern Ireland reaffirmed their stance in refusing to appear in any case governed by the new Legal Aid Rules, introduced by the Minister for Justice this year.

At a General Meeting of the Bar of Northern Ireland last night, the attending membership unanimously endorsed the decision to appeal the recent judgement in the Judicial Review challenge to the 2015 Rules.

Following the meeting, Bar Council Chairman, Gerry McAlinden QC stated that

“The membership made their views clear last night. We will go forward with the appeal case. Criminal practitioners have indicated that they are resolute in their current action of not appearing in such cases. It is a source of major concern that we now face a period of prolonged action which will only further deepen the difficulties, pressure and backlog already evident in the system.”

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