No solicitor should be attacked for doing their job
We have consistently defended solicitors as they were subject to questionable language in the media, in political debates and in online conversations.
Following the violent scenes and rioting that took place this summer, we took to national news organisations to be clear:
No solicitor should be threatened or attacked for doing their job.
Solicitors who represent their clients are not only doing nothing wrong, but they are also doing exactly what they are supposed to do in ensuring that the rule of law is upheld.
Language and actions that unfairly undermine confidence in the independence of the legal profession, and potentially risk the safety of solicitors, ultimately undermines confidence in our entire justice system and the rule of law.
Championing and defending the profession
We had serious concerns about the safety and wellbeing of our members following names and addresses of a number of solicitors’ firms and advice agencies being shared on a list of targets for riots and violence (BBC News).
We wrote to the prime minister, lord chancellor and home secretary asking that threats against the legal profession are treated with the utmost seriousness:
“A direct assault on our legal profession is a direct assault on our democratic values and we are supporting our members who are being targeted.
It is paramount that justice is done for all those who have been involved in, or are victims of, the riots.
We want to see that the necessary support and resources are provided for both prosecution and defence lawyers, courts staff and judiciary in dealing with this emergency.”
Our defence of the solicitor profession featured in more than a dozen national news organisations, and across hundreds of regional and trade publications, including the Guardian, the Times, the Telegraph, Sky News and TIME.
In the letter, we said political attacks on lawyers under the previous government had contributed to the atmosphere of intimidation, and that the threat was an extension and a physical manifestation of that.
"Our members are literally on the front line of the high street. Their doors open onto the pavement and so we take this very seriously."
Former Law Society president Nick Emmerson spoke to Channel 4 News about the risk to the safety and wellbeing of solicitors.
We contacted the 39 immigration law firms and provided support and guidance on how to remain safe, including working from home.
This included sharing safety precautions to consider if solicitors or firms are at risk from targeted attacks or threats from third parties.
This tool gives advice to legal professionals in all areas of the profession concerned about their safety at work from targeted attacks or threats from third parties.