Stress, depression, bullying and problems with alcohol are affecting more lawyers than ever, according to statistics released by ­charity LawCare.

LawCare opened 199 new cases in the first five months of 2008, compared with 301 in the whole of 2007. It is also set to exceed the volume of new cases opened in 2006, its busiest year. Hilary Tilby, chief executive of LawCare, slammed the ‘human capital’ culture of firms.

A total of 116 women and 83 men called the charity between January and May. Of these, 125 reported stress-related conditions – 21 with alcohol issues and 13 cited bullying problems. Forty were classified as ‘other’.

Tilby said: ‘There isn’t loyalty within firms anymore because people are treated as human capital rather than people.’ Visit www.lawcare.org.uk.