In response to new government plans, barristers will be invited to vote on whether to cease their strike.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) stated that their proposals to resolve the strike included fee hikes for legal aid work and an additional investment of £54 million.
The Criminal Bar Association (CBA), which represents barristers, stated that “productive discussions had intensified” and that suggestions would be voted on.
In April, the first walkouts began, delaying proceedings in England and Wales.
A representative for the CBA said in a statement released on Thursday, “The CBA members will vote on stopping action based on an interim package.”
The CBA has been advocating for a 25 percent increase in legal aid costs for representing indigent defendants.
Since the end of June, members have conducted periodic walkouts, but in September they commenced an indefinite, continuous strike, escalating their industrial action.
From the end of September, barristers will get a 15% fee increase, resulting in an annual increase of £7,000.
There was fear that the projected wage increase would not be implemented immediately and would only apply to new cases. Since then, the Ministry of Justice has stated that it will apply to the “great majority of pending crown court cases.”
Brandon Lewis, the incoming secretary of justice, praised the department’s proposals as “generous” and urged CBA members to cease their strike.
“My first objective in these negotiations has been to guarantee that victims do not have to wait any longer for justice,” he stated.
