The strike aims to draw attention to "wholly unreasonable delays" in payments, which can take up to six months to arrive after completing work. The Bar Council, representing Northern Ireland barristers, asserts that this action is essential to preserve legal aid as a vital public service relied upon by vulnerable citizens.
The Bar Council has been urging the Department of Justice to address the issue for months, but the department intends to continue with payment delays. The Department of Justice acknowledges budgetary pressures but considers the strike action premature due to the current political situation, which lacks mechanisms for budget increases.