The new Graduated Fees Scheme came into force on 1st April 2018. Barristers at Pump Court Chambers have decided that they will not accept instructions in cases in which the Representation Order is dated from 1st April 2018. We support the position of the Criminal Bar Association that the new Graduated Fees scheme represents yet another unacceptable reduction in fees for longer and more complex trials after many years of cuts in legal aid funding. We anticipate that the stance of the Criminal Bar Association will be supported by all other sets of chambers on the Western Circuit and nationally. We hope that the Ministry of Justice will reconsider the scheme in order to resolve this dispute.