TRIALS which were due to start today have been re-scheduled for next year as industrial action by barristers began to cause serious disruption.

Defence barristers have embarked on a rolling programme of ‘days of action’ in protest against the rates they are paid by the government for legal aid work.

The action started a fortnight ago with two days of strikes, moved on to three days last week and is due to involve four days of action this week.

It has led to the abandonment of two trials at Exeter Crown Court today in which the defendants have travelled from Dubai and London to be in the dock.

There were at least four police witnesses in the two cases, including a chief inspector, who also went to court but were unable to give evidence.

In the first case, Kaarlo Wicks, aged 21, of Leyton, East London, is accused of drugs offences. His case was adjourned for new trial at Exeter on January 3, 2023.

Judge Timothy Rose apologised for the long delay and told him: ‘It is an incredibly unsatisfactory situation.’

In the next door court, Daniel Heard, aged 25, of Andor Avenue, Kingsteignton, but currently living in Dubai, was due to stand trial accused of assaulting an emergency worker.

His case was adjourned until February 17, 2023, when he will have to return from Dubai again. Judge David Evans told him: ‘We are having to slot your case into an ever more packed timetable.’

The trial in the remaining court was able to start because of exemptions within the terms of the industrial action which enabled the defence barrister to attend.