On the 17 December 2018 a group including members of the Bar Council, the Bar Council Young Barristers’ Committee (YBC), Criminal Bar Association (CBA) and Circuits met with the CPS to raise the issue of prosecution fees which we consider must be increased significantly. Since then there have been two meetings with the CPS and members of the Bar Council and the CBA. As a result of this, the CPS has indicated that it is prepared to hold a review of its fees and a meeting is due to be held next Monday (15 April 2019) when the terms of the review and other matters will be discussed.
The preliminary indications are that any review will be done with the intention of being completed by the end of September 2019. Any negotiations will include representatives from the Bar Council and the Bar Council Remuneration Committee, the CBA, YBC and the Circuits. There will be Silk and junior involvement. The Bar will be kept informed of any developments. There will be no hidden agendas. We will keep you updated as to progress.
Richard Atkins QC
Chair of the Bar
