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Responding to the announcement that the Criminal Bar Association has brought strike action to an end, Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime Geraldine Hanna said:
“I warmly welcome the news that the CBA has taken the decision to return to work in all Crown Court cases. This announcement will come as a great relief to those victims of crime who have been living with the uncertainty of when their case is likely to be heard. I look forward to hearing more on what actions will now be taken to address the increased backlog of cases and get the courts fully up and running again.
Whilst today’s news is undoubtedly positive, I do remain concerned that this dispute was able to ground serious criminal cases to a halt for such a prolonged period. It is simply not acceptable that a public service which affects some of our most vulnerable citizens was effectively on indefinite hiatus. I will therefore be keen to see what steps are put in place to ensure that victims are not able to be failed so profoundly ever again.”