Edinburgh Bar Association warn of further lawyers’ strikes before Christmas

Legal professionals said protests over the Scottish Government’s plans will continue after three days of action in recent weeks.

The Edinburgh Bar Association, which led the action, met with Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill last week regarding the proposals where he stated he would raise the income threshold to £82 from £68.

But in a statement today the association said Mr MacAskill had offered “no meaningful negotiation” and dismissed his offer as “irrelevant”.

At custody courts across the country, lawyers have withdrawn their labour during day-long strikes recently over plans to make accused people with a disposable income of £68 a week or more contribute to the cost of their defence in summary cases.