By Cathal McConnell
Changes to the long running barristers strike in Northern Ireland means that vulnerable cases will now go ahead.
The dispute is over crown court legal aid fees, which have not risen in 20 years according to the Bar Council of Northern Ireland.
The strike, which started in January 2026 has been causing a “devastating impact on the justice system, particularly for victims”, according to Justice Minister Naomi Long.
No crown court cases involving people who require legal aid were able to proceed due to the dispute.
The dispute had affected some of the most high-profile legal cases in Northern Ireland, including murder trials.
Barristers striking has already delayed 12 cases according to the Minister of Justice.
It is believed the cases consist of nine serious domestic violence cases, one rape and two serious sexual assaults.
Naomi Long further stated, “It’s also incredibly challenging for those who are accused of these crimes, many of whom because of the very serious nature of them will be on remand in prison yet have not been convicted of any offence.”
However, as of yesterday (Feb 15), the trial covering the murder of 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell has been given the go ahead, with other cases also restarting.
According to the Irish Legal News Barristers across Northern Ireland have been on strike since January 5th, 2026, with 89% of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), which has 193 members: in support of the action.
The strike has come because of intermittent action starting in 2024, after the Department of Justice neglected to increase criminal legal aid fees, their form of payment.
A proposed 16% increase on said fees was expected to come into effect in December 2024 but are still yet to be implemented.
Barristers themselves have not received an increase in legal fees since 2005, and feel these fees are now worth just 50% of their original value, with inflation and rising costs shaping their opinions.
Belfast based barrister Richy McConkey, said, “I think it’s important that in situations where there are compelling reasons for the case to proceed, they were matters that were given exceptional scrutiny by the Criminal Bar Association.”
“Unfortunately, the CBA was placed in a position by the Department of Justice whereby there was no alternative.”
“The position was that the Government reviews had stagnated, but now the Department of Justice will review an uplift in the number of cases and hourly rates.”
“It’s not the seriousness of the cases, it’s a number of circumstances including vulnerable witnesses, it’s a question of individual circumstances.”
“The Justice System has been left to rot and fester for over two decades now, and its essential it functions properly for everybody.”
The Criminal Bar Association is willing to move forwards in accordance with the newly proposed urgent reviews from the Department of Justice.
In their official statement they cited that they are prepared to, “resolve issues and arrive at a place where criminal barristers can make a full return to Crown Court work”.
After the recent meeting of the two parties, Michael Chambers KC, Vice Chair of the CBA, said, “We welcome the Minister’s confirmation that an accelerated review will proceed, and it is our hope that this will produce the urgent reforms necessary to enable a full return to work.”
“Our consistent position has been that our members want to be in Court, dealing with cases like Chloe.”
Mr McConkey in accordance with the CBA have stated that with co-operation underway and more meetings scheduled throughout the following weeks, it seems a compromise will be more than likely, allowing justice to resume as usual.
- Cathal McConnell
