COURT proceedings in Winchester came to a grinding halt as barristers walked out in protest at Government cuts.
In an unprecedented move, lawyers across the county refused to defend or prosecute cases scheduled for Monday morning.
Members of the bar are furious at the coalition’s attempt to slash the UK’s annual £1bn legal bill and say the very future of justice in the UK is at stake. They launched a last-ditch attempt to halt cuts of up to 25 per cent off legal aid fees, which they say will have far reaching consequences.
In a statement read outside Winchester Crown Court, James Newton-Price, a barrister at Pump Court Chambers, spoke on behalf of the Western Circuit, which has around 1,000 members across Hampshire and the South West.
He said: “A lot of damage is being done to your justice system in your name. There is time – just – for the Government to pull back from the brink.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here