Today, barristers in the criminal law field across the country have taken a stand by withdrawing their services in protest over pay issues. This action is part of a three-day protest happening this month, with services also being withdrawn next Monday and on Wednesday, 24 July.
Despite a 10% pay increase in the Budget, barristers are still feeling the effects of pay cuts from the financial crisis. The Council of The Bar of Ireland highlighted that fees paid to criminal barristers were over 40% below 2002 levels before the pay restoration.
Sean Guerin, Chair of The Bar Council’s Criminal State Bar Committee, expressed concerns over the delays this protest may cause in the courts. He emphasized the need for fair pay restoration for barristers who have cooperated with improvements in the justice system since 2018.
While acknowledging that some barristers are well paid, Guerin stressed the importance of retaining junior level barristers in practice to ensure a future cohort capable of handling sensitive cases. The main issue at hand is the lack of pay restoration to pre-2008 levels.
It’s time for the government to address the longstanding unfairness and implement necessary changes in the budget to support the legal profession adequately.