A trial was kicked into the long grass as the barrister strike entered its second week.

The defendant, who is accused of assaulting in Chipping Norton last October, was due to be tried at Oxford Crown Court this week.

But he appeared before Judge Ian Pringle QC on Monday morning without legal representation.

READ MORE: Why are barristers going on strike? 

Prosecutor Christopher Pembridge told the judge that the man’s barrister was ‘participating in the days of action and isn’t expected to be present’.

Members of the Criminal Bar Association are currently taking part in a staggered walkout in protest over the fees paid for criminal Legal Aid work.

Having spent two days refusing to attend court for Legal Aid cases last week, barristers will strike for three days this week, four days next week and for the full five days in the week starting July 18.

Judge Pringle told the defendant on Monday: “You will appreciate your barrister isn’t here today and you will, I think, understand the reasons why. So, I am afraid your trial can’t proceed today.”

He adjourned the case for a hearing on Friday, when a new trial date will be fixed. In an indication of how long the defendant may need to wait for his trial to be heard, the judge asked for his availability for the next nine months. The defendant remains on bail with conditions that include a curfew requiring him to be at home between 9pm and 7am every night.

Last week, the government confirmed an offer to increase fees for new Legal Aid work by 15 per cent from the end of September, which it says equates to around £7,000 extra a year for the average barrister.

The CBA, however, have demanded a 25 per cent rise in fees and that the increase should come into force today. Because barristers are only paid at the conclusion of a case, any increase in fees is unlikely to be felt for months.

READ MORE: Latest cases at Oxford Magistrates' Court

CBA chairman Jo Sidhu QC said last week: "Right now we are engulfed in a crisis of epic proportions that had never afflicted this country previously, which has brought almost to a standstill the system that we all love.

"Last year, we lost another 300 criminal barristers, why? Because they could not do this job anymore on what they were being paid, and for the hours that they were toiling."

Picket lines were held outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Liverpool Crown Court, Nottingham Crown Court and Birmingham Crown Court yesterday.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward