September 11, 2008

Major trials could be delayed because barristers are refusing to work for a trifling £91 an hour, reports the BBC.

Criminal Bar Association chairman Peter Lodder QC said barristers would receive only about half that fee, after deductions such as overheads, expenses and tax, the poor things.

He added: "You might be better off buying a pair of pliers and working as a plumber. This is our livelihood and most barristers are proud of the work they do.

"And contrary to public conception, these are not all fat cats - few barristers doing these high-profile cases earn a lot of money."

Having spent more than my fair share in court watching these preening would-be actors droning on for a good four hours every day, I'm trying to think of a more detached view of how the world really works and, frankly, can't.

For the record, a fucking tenner an hour would be nice.