Junior criminal barristers ‘despair’ over pay deal in England and Wales

Barristers ended strike after 57% accepted 15% rise but many juniors say they cannot afford to stay in profession

Junior criminal barristers have expressed despair at the vote to end their indefinite strike, calling it a death warrant" for the profession which resulted from senior colleagues accepting the government's offer.

Barristers returned to work on Tuesday after 57% voted to accept a 15% increase in legal aid fees, which will also apply to the backlog of about 60,000 cases in the crown courts, despite originally demanding 25%.