Explaining its move, the Association expressed deep concern over the funding of Legal Aid: 'The government’s proposed 30 per cent cuts, due to be implemented for trials that begin in April next year, come on top of the 40 per cent cuts already applied since 1997.' 

Unable to pay mortgages

Nigel Lithman, chair of the Association, said: “A line has to be drawn in the sand before it’s too late. The cuts pose the most serious threat to the British legal system in more than 400 years.  Who can blame anybody for wishing to protest against swingeing cuts that mean they can’t pay their mortgages or afford to come back to work after being on maternity leave? The government says it is tough on crime, but is stripping the criminal justice system of anyone able to adequately prosecute serious criminals or defend those falsely accused. We merely seek a pay freeze. What could be more reasonable than that?' Source: The Criminal Bar Association