Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA has warned that victims of serious crimes will bear the brunt of escalating industrial action by the Criminal Bar of Northern Ireland.

Doug Beattie MC MLA said:

“The news that the Criminal Bar of Northern Ireland is to extend its industrial action to include the full withdrawal of all services in the Crown Court from 5th January 2026 is of serious concern. This industrial action, over pay, will have a serious effect on an already beleaguered, and at times dysfunctional, criminal justice system. Victims will be at the heart of this disruption and some high profile and long-standing cases, which have been waiting years to be heard, will now be postponed again with the ability to list any cases disrupted given that this industrial action has no end date.

“I have long argued that as a public body, our judiciary and Criminal Bar have a duty to provide a minimum service in the same way as other public services do. An issue I raised with the Bar in the Justice Committee.  Nobody should have free rein to close down part of our criminal justice system, bringing justice to a standstill. In this case, I am particularly struck by the impact this will have on victims and their families, including cases of femicide, sexual crimes, violence against women and girls, and other crimes that have a serious impact on society. It cannot be overstated the effect these delays will have on victims and their families.

“Where I do have some sympathy for the Criminal Bar and would urge the Department for Justice to redouble efforts to find a solution, I do not believe that allowing the focus of disruption to fall on the victims is the best way to deal with this issue. I call on the Justice Minister to urgently outline plans she has in place to deal with this issue and the pressure it will now bring to bear on the remainder of the criminal justice system, including our prisons where remand prisoners are already at a high level.”