MoJ releases details of barristers' legal aid earnings in advance of strike

The Ministry of Justice has published further details of criminal law barristers' earnings this morning, a few days before Monday's half-day 'strike'.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA), the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association (LCCSA) and Criminal Law Solicitors Association (CLSA) have urged members not to work before 2pm on 6 January.

The MoJ said it had published an 'ad hoc statistical release' to "address the public interest in the area" and provide figures not included in June's annual statistical report, including new data from the CPS and magistrates courts.

The report found that the mean income of almost 5,000 barristers from legal aid or the CPS was £72,000, and the median £56,000.

However, the MoJ said the figures should be "interpreted carefully" and did not "represent the personal earnings of the individuals listed in any one year".

The CBA responded on Twitter, arguing that, assuming overheads of 20 per cent, the MoJ's statistics meant that "half of all criminal barristers take home £22,400 or less after tax".

Meanwhile, the LCCSA and CLSA have invited criminal lawyers to attend a training session at Islington Assembly Hall on the morning of 6 January.

A statement on the LCCSA website said the Law Society had made a grant that would cover the cost of the event, so there would be no charge for attending.

It read: "This is, of course, entirely a voluntary matter for individuals, but the key to showing unity is strength in numbers."

The statement added that some cases may be "particularly sensitive" and could not be moved until after 2pm, but these would be rare.