Barrister strike: Strike over criminal legal aid to end

Criminal barristers in Northern Ireland are to return to covering legally aided Crown Court cases after coming to an agreement in their dispute over fees. The strike, which began on 5 January, meant no Crown Court cases involving people who require legal aid could proceed while the dispute continued. In a statement, the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) said 65% of their members voted on Thursday to return to full service. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said the outcome of the vote was a "positive development" which it hoped would result in a return to services by all members. The CBA said the withdrawal of services was taken "as a last resort". They added: "Continued work and ongoing vigilance will still be required to ensure that the criminal legal aid system is placed on a sustainable footing for the longer term." The Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan, welcomed the announcement and added that she "has implemented recovery plans to restore Crown Court business as an immediate and pressing priority". She said that to support "an efficient return to business", Crown Court trials will be "re-listed and prioritised, with those ready to proceed brought forward at the