Public sector trade union NIPSA said selective action in certain areas of the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service is taking place as part of its broader dispute over civil service pay.

Courts staff in Newry and Craigavon will go on strike on Friday 7 February and further strike dates will be announced next week, the union added.

NIPSA is pressing Northern Ireland’s new finance minister, Conor Murphy, to deliver an above-inflation pay increase for civil servants after nine years of real-terms cuts.

General secretary Alison Millar said last month: “Our members are angry that over the last nine years they have received below-inflation pay increases or no pay increases during that period.”

She added: “NIPSA has no issue with the fact that MLAs, as workers, are receiving a pay increase – however all workers, including civil servants, deserve to be treated equally and receive at least an inflationary increase in their pay plus some recognition for the loss of pay over the past nine years. This benchmark has now been set.”

A spokesperson for the Law Society of Northern Ireland told Irish Legal News: “The solicitor profession values the work and dedication of court clerks and assistants throughout Northern Ireland and we hope that this matter can be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.”

A spokesperson for The Bar of Northern Ireland told ILN: “Members of the Bar see the important work done by court staff on a daily basis in courts across Northern Ireland. We hope that a resolution that meets the needs of all parties involved can be reached as soon as possible.”