The threat comes in response to changes to the system solicitors believe are based on the presumption of guilt rather than of innocence.

They are also concerned about the rise in cases being dealt with by fixed penalty fines instead of going to court.

Any strike would cripple courts.

Acting president of Dundee Bar association James Laverty said today his members would be mulling over the situation ahead of a meeting to decide a collective position.

No date has been set for the meeting but it will probably be over the next four or five working days.

Mr Laverty added, “At this moment, no position has been adopted by us. The position of the GBA has been intimated to us and we are assessing the information.”

Solicitor George Donnelly recently spoke out on behalf of the DBA and said a reduction in summary cases being brought before the courts was a “matter of concern” as the association didn’t believe crime rates had fallen.

Figures from the Crown Office, which is responsible for prosecutions, show there were 2039 cases before the city’s sheriff and district courts in December. In the same month of 2006 there were 3925 cases.

News of the dwindling cases came after a major shake-up of the summary justice system in Scotland was introduced to speed up the legal process.

There is now more opportunity for procurators to offer an accused person a “fiscal fine” and sentencing powers and fine enforcement are being overhauled.

Area fiscal David Howdle said he believed the reforms were in the public interest and more time could be spent prosecuting more serious offenders.

Members of the Kirkcaldy Law Faculty will discuss the situation at a meeting tonight. Dean of the Faculty Michelle Renton said, “The Glasgow Bar Association has asked for our feedback.”

The response in Perth has still to be decided with the members of the Society of Procurators and Solicitors in the City and County of Perth currently considering their position.

Solicitors in Angus have also yet to meet and adopt a position with regard to the issue.

Their next scheduled meeting of the Society is next month.