The Chloe Mitchell murder trial is to go ahead despite a criminal barristers’ strike, after a meeting between barristers and the Justice Minister.
Due to a long-running dispute over fees for legal aid, crown court cases involving those who require legal aid have been effectively halted.
After a “constructive” meeting on Sunday, Justice Minister Naomi Long agreed to start an accelerated review and the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) agreed to exempt the upcoming trial from its withdrawal of services.
Further meetings between the Department of Justice and the CBA are scheduled next week.
It comes after a derogation was granted to allow the trial of a man accused of the 2022…