London, Jan 25, 2026 — Criminal barristers across England and Wales began coordinated strike action on Monday, escalating a long-running dispute over legal aid funding and raising concerns about delays in the justice system.
The action, which involves refusing new cases, is expected to affect courts nationwide. Legal professionals argue that years of underinvestment have left the system overstretched and financially unsustainable.
The Ministry of Justice said it remains open to dialogue but warned that prolonged disruption could impact victims and defendants alike.
Legal charities cautioned that backlogs, already worsened by the pandemic, could grow further, undermining confidence in the justice system.
