BARRISTERS and solicitors from Oxford joined a national walkout yesterday against Government plans to cut Legal Aid.
Many wore their wigs and gowns and took part in a march on Westminster alongside hundreds of other lawyers who oppose Justice Secretary Chris Grayling’s bid to slash £220m from the Legal Aid budget by 2018/19.
At Oxford Crown Court most cases had to be adjourned and one rape trial did not sit at all because the defence barrister was taking part in the action.
There were also disruptions at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, Reading Crown Court and Aylesbury Crown Court.
Barrister Jane Brady, who is based at the Oxford branch of chambers, 13 King’s Bench Walk, and represents the Thames Valley Bar Mess, took part in the march with several colleagues.
She said: “It was an amazing turnout and really heartwarming to see. We took this action because we can’t face the entire fabric of our criminal justice system being torn apart.”
It was the second such action organised by the Criminal Bar Association following a half-day walkout in January.
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