Chloe Mitchell murder trial to go ahead despite strike by criminal barristers

The Chloe Mitchell murder trial is to go ahead despite a criminal barristers’ strike, after a meeting between barristers and the Justice Minister.

Due to a long-running dispute over fees for legal aid, crown court cases involving those who require legal aid have been effectively halted.

After a “constructive” meeting on Sunday, Justice Minister Naomi Long agreed to start an accelerated review and the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) agreed to exempt the upcoming trial from its withdrawal of services.

Further meetings between the Department of Justice and the CBA are scheduled next week.

It comes after a derogation was granted to allow the trial of a man accused of the 2022 murder of Natalie McNally in Lurgan to go ahead despite the industrial action.

Ms Mitchell, 21, was found dead in Ballymena days after going missing in June 2023.

Brandon John Rainey, 29, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry and who is formerly of James Street in Ballymena, has been charged with murdering Ms Mitchell in June 2023.

Ms Long said: “The meeting today was constructive, and I welcome the CBA’s commitment to engaging to find solutions to the recent impasse.

“Whilst not all issues have been resolved, a decision has now been taken which will enable the Chloe Mitchell trial to progress.

“I recently met with the family, and I am humbled by their resilience and determination to see justice for Chloe.

“We must never lose sight of the fact that victims are central to everything we do. We must protect them, we must serve them, and we must be prepared to make hard decisions for them.”

Michael Chambers KC, vice-chairman of the CBA, said: “We welcome the minister’s frank and constructive engagement with the CBA today, following on from the CBA’s meeting with the Mitchell family and North Antrim political representatives yesterday, during which we had an opportunity not only to listen but also to explain the full background of the strike to them.

“Our consistent position has been that our members want to be in court, dealing with cases like Chloe’s.

“We welcome the minister’s confirmation that an accelerated review will proceed and it is our hope that this will produce the urgent reforms necessary to enable a full return to work.”

North Antrim MP Jim Allister said he welcomed news the Chloe Mitchell trial will proceed.

“Following our meeting on Friday with the Criminal Bar Association, it was clear that if the minister re-engaged with the mid-January plan of a fast-tracked review of the fees structure, then this outcome was attainable,” he said.

“I trust we are now on a course which can lead to a fair outcome to the current CBA action.”