Lawyers in Scotland are set to take industrial action in a row over government proposals to reform the legal aid system.

The Glasgow Bar Association, which has the largest representation of criminal lawyers in Scotland, voted to take action on a range of issues.

However, its main grievance concerned the revised levels of legal aid, which will effectively mean a cut in the payments its members receive.

It is still unclear what action the association is to take, although it has ruled out a strike, a move that can put solicitors in breach of Law Society guidelines.

But the association said that its action was likely to cause chaos within the courts.

The Law Society of Scotland warned that the reforms, which were announced earlier in the month, could force the closure of hundreds of practices, and may also lead to miscarriages of justice.

President of the Glasgow Bar Association, Sara Matheson, said that the association was disappointed at having to consider a vote for action but felt the issue was very important and that this was the time when it had to take a stand.

She warned that the level of pay was now such that lawyers would go elsewhere, which could lead to a criminal justice nightmare instigated by the Scottish Government.