Justice Secretary Chris Grayling's birthday is on 1st April- a likely date for further protests.[/caption]
Last Friday ( 7th March) lawyers across the country refused to work in the criminal courts and joined protests against the government's plans to cut fees by up to 30% and to introduce new contracts, which will lead to the closure of many firms of solicitors. LAG understands that further action is being planned for the end of the month, which might also include protests on 1st April- Chris Grayling's birthday!
This is a round-up of the media coverage of the unprecedented events which took place last Friday. Sorry if we missed your protest, but the following reports, we believe, gives a strong message to the government to re-think their plans.
Thanks to Lauren Karam, an intern at LAG, for undertaking this research.
National & London
Lawyers staging second walk-out over legal aid cuts (7/3/14)
BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26478773
Demonstrations in England & Wales Second time this year (earlier demonstrations in January) Cuts force lawyers to leave legal aid profession
Lawyers stage second walkout over legal aid cuts (7/3/14)
BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26472809
Demonstrations in London, Manchester, Birmingham, & Liverpool Out of the £2 billion legal aid budget, half is dedicated to criminal defence and rest goes to civil cases Government proposed cuts can cut legal aid to up to 30% LCCSA thinks this will damage criminal justice system significantly
Legal aid: the quiet death of English justice (7/3/14)
The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/07/legal-aid-the-quiet-death-of-english-justice
Demonstrations have attempted to get political attention and put legal aid cuts on the minds of voters. Cuts are extremely detrimental to the UK justice system
Legal aid cuts: lawyers v the crown (7/3/14)
The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/mar/07/legal-aid-cuts-lawyers-walkout
Demonstrations mark first full-day walkout Legal aid has been undergoing cuts since the late 1990s
More than 1,000 lawyers protest outside parliament at legal aid cuts (7/3/14)
The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/mar/07/lawyers-protest-parliament-legal-aid-cuts
More than 1,000 protesters (barristers and solicitors) Chris Grayling- Justice Secretary, target of demonstrations
Lawyers protest over legal aid cuts (video, 7/3/14)
The Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10682681/Lawyers-protest-over-legal-aid-cuts.html
Lawyers Down Tools to Halt £220m Legal Aid Cut (7/3/14)
Morning Star
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-a729-Lawyers-down-tools-to-halt-220m-legal-aid-cut
Legal aid protest sees thousands of lawyers stage court walk-out against government budget cuts (7/3/14)
Mirror
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/legal-aid-protest-sees-thousands-3216465#ixzz2vktH2vGA
Thousands of lawyers protest against legal aid cuts (7/3/14)
The Law Society Gazette
http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/practice/thousands-of-lawyers-protest-against-legal-aid-cuts/5040286.article
Local Newspapers throughout UK
North Wales courts brought to standstill by legal aid cuts protest (7/3/14)
Daily Post (N. Wales)
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-courts-brought-standstill-6787622
Bristol lawyers walk out of court in legal aid protest (7/3/14)
Bristol Post
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-lawyers-walk-court-legal-aid-protest/story-20781833-detail/story.html#ixzz2vka4Fp5e
More than 50 barristers & solicitors outside of Bristol Magistrates’ Court
Kilburn law firm joins protest against legal aid cuts (10/3/14)
Brent & Kilburn Times
http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/kilburn_law_firm_joins_protest_against_legal_aid_cuts_1_3418349
Lawyers stage day of action in Plymouth in protest at cuts (7/3/14)
Plymouth Herald
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Lawyers-stage-day-action-Plymouth-protest-cuts/story-20780390-detail/story.html
Lawyers walk out (8/3/14)
The News (Hampshire)
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/lawyers-walk-out-1-5923365
Bolton lawyers furious at legal aid cuts row told: 'Your strike will not make a difference' (6/3/14)
The Bolton News
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/11060113.Bolton_lawyers_furious_at_legal_aid_cuts_row_told___Your_strike_will_not_make_a_difference_/?ref=var_0
Grayling says cuts are inevitable and will happen regardless of strike
Manchester
Manchester Evening News (pictures)
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/days-news-pictures-friday-march-6787213
“Lawyers and Barristers march through Manchester to save legal aid” (photos)
http://www.demotix.com/news/4116754/lawyers-and-barristers-march-through-manchester-save-legal-aid#media-4116640
Birmingham
Birmingham Mail (pictures)
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/days-news-pictures-friday-march-6787213
South Wales Argus
http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/national/news/11060181.Lawyers_protest_after_court_walkout/
WalesOnline
“UK Government under fire as it presents final plans for legal aid changes”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/uk-government-under-fire-presents-6755539
Bradford
Telegraph & Argue (8/3/14)
Bradford barristers back strike over legal aid cuts
“Lawyers stage stoppage in city’s courts on legal aid protest”
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/11062243.Bradford_barristers_back_strike_over_legal_aid_cuts/
Article interviewed local barristers
Epsom
'Justice Secretary Chris Grayling threatening foundations of justice system' - Lawyers protest against legal aid cuts
Surrey Comet, 3:51pm Friday 7th March 2014 in Epsom
http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/epsom/11062200._Grayling_threatening_foundations_of_justice_system____Lawyers_protest_against_legal_aid_cuts/
Article mentions Justice Alliance Walkout called “Grayling Day” Interviews man from Ashtead regarding legal aid cuts
Leicester
Leicester Mercury
“Leicester Crown Court solicitors make stand against planned Government cuts” (8/3/14)
http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/City-solicitors-make-stand-planned-Government/story-20783362-detail/story.html#ixzz2vrJem2Mt
80 barrister and solicitors protested outside of Leicester Crown Court Only 8 people appeared in court due to demonstrations Over past 3 year there has been a 12.5% pay cut CBA estimated approximately 3000 people overall took part in protest Interviewed local barrister
Liverpool
Firm, Canter Levin & Berg
“Legal Aid changes will hurt most vulnerable, says Liverpool Solicitor”
http://www.canter-law.co.uk/news/legal-aid-changes-liverpool-solicitors
Partner discusses consequences of legal aid cuts
Teeside
“Lawyers continue campaign of action against 'savage' cuts to Legal Aid system” GazetteLive
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/lawyers-continue-campaign-action-against-6788110
Barristers and solicitors refused to attend Teeside Magistrate’s Court Joined by MP