Northern Ireland

NI lawyers call for reform over increased threats and intimidation

Solicitors have reported being followed from their offices or harassed in their homes

Law Society House on Victoria Street in Belfast
Law Society House on Victoria Street in Belfast
By Allan Preston

SOLICITORS in Northern Ireland have said they are facing increasing threats and intimidation at work.

The Law Society has now set up a new group on solicitor safety to address the problem, holding the first meeting earlier this month.

It includes solicitors who have experienced direct threats or abuse while carrying out their professional duties.

Recent examples were said to have involved solicitors being followed from their offices, harassed in their homes or subjected to sustained abuse.

The group will now guide the Law Society’s response in what they call a “growing pattern of hostility” towards solicitors.

While no official statistics have been compiled, a Law Society spokesperson said they were committed to doing so going forward, and the “widespread problem” was serious enough to write to the Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Justice Minister Naomi Long.

The Law Society is requesting urgent legislative reform to better protect legal professionals, including recognising them as frontline workers in the upcoming Sentencing Bill.

This would make attacks and harassment against solicitors in the course of their duties a statutory aggravating factor.

David Lavery is Chief Executive of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
David Lavery is Chief Executive of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.

“Recognising solicitors as frontline workers is not just symbolic - it is a necessary step to ensure they can undertake their professional duties without fear for their personal safety,” said Law Society Chief Executive David Lavery CB.

“It would also affirm the principle that no solicitor should be forced to choose between representing a client and safeguarding their family.”

The chief constable has also been urged to address “inadequate or delayed” responses from police to threats, particularly against female solicitors, and to ensure officers are better informed on the issue.

“No solicitor should feel unsafe doing their job,” said Colin Mitchell, President of the Law Society.

“Harassment and intimidation have no place in our justice system, and the Law Society has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to any such behaviour directed at our members.”

He added that the threats undermined access to justice for vulnerable clients, and recognised that in a recent case of harassment against a female solicitor, the offender received only a suspended sentence.

Any solicitor who has been affected is encouraged to contact the Law Society confidentially at memberservices@lawsoc-ni.org.