THE impact of criminal barristers who are taking strike action has been felt at Bradford Crown Court this week.

Starting Monday of this week, the Criminal Bar Association has been holding uninterrupted ‘weeks of action’ on an indefinite basis over government proposals on criminal legal aid.

Since April, hundreds of barristers have adopted ‘no returns’ as part of a push for the government to increase rates by 25%.

Although they will continue to attend court and accept cases of their own, under the no returns policy, barristers agree not to accept cases that are returned by colleagues who have a diary clash.

The action is widely expected to bring the criminal justice system to a standstill and intensify existing backlogs in the courts.

In a case at Bradford Crown Court today (Wednesday), Judge Jonathan Gibson addressed the issue as a sentencing due to take place this morning had to be postponed until next week.

He said: "Because of industrial action of the Bar, it means counsel aren't able to return cases if they aren't available.

He told the defendant: "I wouldn't sentence without your barrister being available.

"I'm sorry I can't sentence you, but I think it's in your best interest to have defence counsel available."

Other cases at Bradford have been affected this week.