Barristers have started industrial action in a feud over legal aid funding today. Almost 2,500 barristers have now said they will refuse to step in at the last minute to pick up court appearances or preparatory work for colleagues whose cases are over-running. It stems from...

Criminal barristers are still waiting to hear if they will be balloted about action if the government does not promise to increase legal aid funding. Lord chancellor Dominic Raab said he would have an answer by the end of March. An independent review of criminal legal...