Speaking on behalf of the criminal practitioners at Garden Court, Henry Blaxland QC has stated the following:
"We wish to express our dismay at the deal negotiated by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) over the cuts in criminal legal aid. We had urged the CBA to support the action called by solicitors and probation officers next week. Instead the CBA has, without consulting the membership, negotiated a deal with the Ministry of Justice, which leaves our colleagues to fight alone. This has provoked a great deal of anger at Garden Court and has caused some members to resign their membership of the CBA - see this letter from Brenda Campbell, which cogently expresses the views of many in Chambers."