Manchester's crown courts ground to a halt after barristers went out on strike in a row over pay. About 100 lawyers picketed outside Manchester Crown Court in Spinningfields, holding placards with slogans including 'crime doesn't pay', 'no legal aid cuts' and 'save British justice'.
Barristers say they have had a real terms wage decrease of 28 per cent since 2006, and that droves of criminal lawyers are leaving the profession. One junior barrister told the M.E.N. she earns less than minimum wage while working as a criminal barrister for cases funded by legal aid.
And another recalled how she didn't have enough money to pay for a train fare to attend court. The Criminal Bar Association, which represents barristers, said junior lawyers in their first three years of work earn a median income of £12,200, which is below minimum wage.
