NI Barristers Threaten Strike Action

Unpaid legal fees, in excess of £40m, could prompt senior barristers in the province to take strike action, it has emerged.

Some legal professionals have been waiting for more than fours years for payments from complex criminal cases, it has been claimed.

Now barristers have threatened to boycott further hearings until the issue is resolved.

Solicitor briefing papers on cases could begin to be sent back as soon as Friday, the barristers have warned.

The Bar Council, the legal professionals' representative body, has entered into talks with the Court Service with the aim of reaching an agreement.

It has been reported the council is willing to settle for a £25m payout, however, so far the Court Service has only managed to stump up £10m.

One barrister said he and his colleagues have had enough.

"Some of us haven't been paid for cases from four years ago," he said.

"This can't go on. It's come to the point where briefing papers will be sent back until this is sorted," added the barrister.

The dispute centres on payments for criminal cases that last more than 21 days, which are known as Very High Cost (VHC) cases.

In 2005, a new payment structure was set for VHCs but some fees have still to be paid.

A spokeswoman from the Courts Service said discussions were continuing to avoid the need for industrial action.

(PR/JM)