The first of three days of industrial action in July by Criminal Barristers begins today with protests planned at 15 courthouses across the country including Clonmel Courthouse. The dispute relates to the levels of pay for Barristers and follows a one-day protest in October 2023. Protests will also be held on July 15 and July 24th – with barristers withdrawing their services, not attending court, not engaging with associated court administration on that day and not claiming professional fees for the day. The protests are scheduled from 10am to 1pm.
Certain emergency matters may need to be dealt with on each day and the Bar Council has advised that they are engaging with the relevant parties in this regard. The Bar Council has also issued a list of areas of work that do not fall within the scope of the withdrawal of services. Any barrister who intends to participate in the industrial action has been asked to notify their instructing solicitors that the barrister will not be attending court at all, so that any action deemed appropriate by the solicitor in those circumstances can be taken. Barristers are professional advocates who deal with court work at all levels. Barristers specialise in providing an advisory and/or advocacy service for which they are briefed by a solicitor or professional body. A barrister may also be called a Junior Counsel at the start of their career, after approximately 12 years they can apply for Senior Counsel status which is awarded by the Government and reserved for barristers of particular ability and experience.
