Solicitors urged to download a lifeline for lawyers at risk

Solicitors are being encouraged to add their weight to appeals on behalf of lawyers at risk around the world, by sparing six minutes a week to send a letter of intervention from the Law Society's Web site.

Users can now download, sign and send appeals on behalf of lawyers at risk.

Launching the initiative at last week opening of the legal year, Law Society President Carolyn Kirby said it would help 'judges and solicitors who suffer threats, harassment, exile, torture and even death for carrying out their professional duties'.

A Law Society booklet entitled How Can We Help, discussing how UK lawyers can help lawyers at risk and prisoners facing death penalties, was also launched.

A Law Society spokeswoman said: 'It only takes six minutes to download an appeal from the Web site, sign and send the appeal.

That six minutes could save a life.'

LINKS: www.internationalhuman rights.lawsociety.org.uk

Andrew Towler