CRIMINAL barristers are staging their first ever walk out this morning (Jan 6) in protest to the slashing of legal aid.

Thousands of lawyers across England and Wales are staging the half-day of non attendance to encourage Justice Secretary Chris Grayling to rethink his plans.

The Ministry of Justice is proposing cuts of 30 per cent to legal aid, the fund which helps people pay for advice, mediation and representation in court.

This Is Local London: Outside the Old Bailey. Picture courtesy of @Kirsty_Brimelow.

Many will be protesting outside the courts at around 10.30am including the Old Bailey, Southwark Crown Court and Maidstone Crown Court.

The protest has been organised by the Criminal Bar Association which represents around 4,000 barristers.

Criminal Bar Association chairman Nigel Lithman QC said: “The protest on Monday is the first in the history of the criminal bar.

“That it is necessary in order to try and prevent the slide of the Criminal Justice system into chaos and the Criminal Bar into oblivion make it a sad day.

“Those taking the action wish to send a message to the Lord Chancellor that this, along with cuts to their pay, is unacceptable.”

Are you a barrister taking part in the non attendance and based in south east London or north Kent area?

Contact the newsdesk on hwood@london.newsquest.co.uk or 01689 885 721.