Almost half of practising solicitors say they or their firm have received threats in the past year. A survey conducted by the Law Society found that death threats, intimidation and even physical violence are regularly faced by members working on the frontline.
More than one third (38%) felt there was a threat to their personal safety because of their profession. One in eight (13%) had considered leaving the sector as a result.
One property solicitor said they had been threatened by a client who had waited for them in the staff car park, while another reported how a party in a child care hearing had jumped out of the witness box to try to attack them.
Some firms have now installed panic buttons and thumbprint scanners in offices, while others have initiated a policy where people are not allowed to work alone or without security.
‘Like many public servants, the role of a solicitor is sadly not without risk,’ said Law Society president Mark Evans. ‘No one should have to deal with unacceptable behaviour simply because they are doing their job. However, this research shows that abuse, aggression and intimidation towards solicitors are alarmingly commonplace.’
One solicitor, who works in social welfare, told researchers: ‘I have been threatened to have my house set on fire, my family harmed and also told they hoped I got cancer and suffered an awful death.’ Another lawyer told of a ‘threat to travel to our office and burn it down’.
In a joint statement last month the Society, Bar Council and representative bodies in Scotland and Northern Ireland condemned the climate of increasing hostility towards lawyers and judges. They blamed ‘irresponsible and dangerous’ politically motivated attacks on the profession for weakening trust and confidence in the rule of law and contributing to this climate.
They added: ‘We have repeatedly seen law firms and offices be set upon by protesters. We are deeply disturbed by this rising tide of intimidation targeting those who serve our justice system and uphold democratic principles.’
The survey was conducted in August with 286 responses overall; 139 of the respondents claimed to have received threats.
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