No taxis on the legal aid cab rank

The Bar is following the solicitors’ profession in voting with its feet over the derisory level of legal aid fees. Following the approval of the Bar Council to family barristers giving up the cab rank principal on the ground that it would not breach their code of conduct because the rates are so low, 4,000 criminal barristers are about to join them. The Bar Council has agreed that barristers may break the cab rank rule which requires them to take on any criminal legal aid case that they are briefed on if they feel the pay will be inadequate.