Lawyers' action to hit busy court

The action will affect the country's busiest custody court

Talks held at Holyrood have failed to avert industrial action due to start among lawyers at Scotland's busiest court.

Solicitors are to boycott custody hearings at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday in a dispute over legal aid payments.

The lawyers say the court could be in chaos because of their action.

Solicitors say their rates for legal aid work have not increased for 10 years.

They also claim that they are not being paid at all for carrying out certain duties, including attending custody courts, where accused persons who have been in police custody make their first appearance.

Following a Bank Holiday weekend there could be up to 200 cases to deal with.

Without members of the Glasgow Bar Association, they will all be left to two duty solicitors.

Prosecutors will be arriving at work early to process cases, but many accused may be granted bail enabling their hearings to be postponed.

Bar Association president, Gerry Considine, said this could mean some people regarded as a danger to the public being freed.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who chaired the talks, said the government has made significant changes to its proposals which are driven by the need to improve justice.

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