The Criminal Bar Association is prepared to escalate further action over criminal legal aid. Since April 11, hundreds of barristers agreed on a 'no returns' policy. This meant not covering for colleagues on returned cases because courts had overrun, been rescheduled or caused a diary...

Solicitors will snub low-paid work in response to the government’s criminal legal aid reforms. After voting to join the criminal bar in protest action, many London practitioners have said they will decline some work, beginning with burglary cases from May 25. The Lord chief justice has...