PROCEEDINGS at Croydon Crown Court were disrupted this morning as criminal lawyers stayed away in protest at cuts to legal aid.
Two out of eight courtrooms were closed as lawyers failed to attend until the afternoon sessions at 2pm.
The Ministry of Justice has yet to confirm to what extent Croydon Magistrates' Court was affected.
The Criminal Bar Association said anger about planned £220 million cuts to legal aid had reached "boiling point".
They argue fees could fall by up to 30 per cent and reduce the level and quality of representation available to defendants.
The Ministry of Justice said efficiencies would ensure legal aid remained "sustainable".
Lawyers refused to attend court in cities including London, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Newcastle.
Croydon lawyer Robert Hardy-McBride, of Steel & Samash, took part in the protest.
He had previously called on Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell to support their cause.
"I warned him months ago but he decided to toe the party line and ignore the dangers," he said.
Nigel Lithman QC, chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, said: "A line has to be drawn in the sand before it's too late.
"The cuts pose the most serious threat to the British legal system in more than 400 years."
