Law society urges legal reforms after rise in threats against solicitors doing their professional duties
Solicitors in Northern Ireland should be recognised as frontline workers, the Law Society has urged, following a surge in harassment, threats, and intimidation directed at legal professionals while performing their duties.
The Law Society of Northern Ireland has launched a Group on Solicitor Safety, responding to mounting reports from members—many of whom have been directly threatened or abused. The group, composed of practising solicitors, convened for the first time earlier this month to chart a strategy for tackling this growing crisis.
“This is not just symbolic,” said David Lavery CB, Chief Executive of the Law Society. “It’s a necessary step to ensure solicitors can undertake their professional duties without fear for their personal safety. No solicitor should be forced to choose between representing a client and safeguarding their family.”
In a formal letter to Justice Minister Naomi Long, the Law Society urged legislative reform via the forthcoming Sentencing Bill, seeking statutory recognition of solicitors as frontline workers. This designation would make attacks and harassment against legal professionals an aggravating factor in sentencing—ensuring tougher penalties for offenders.
Parallel to this, the Law Society wrote to PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, citing instances of poor police response to solicitor safety concerns, especially those reported by female lawyers. The letter called for a meeting to improve awareness and response protocols among frontline police officers.
Embed from Getty ImagesSolicitors have reportedly been followed from their offices, harassed at home, and subjected to abuse simply for carrying out their roles. The Society stressed that such incidents are no longer rare outliers but part of a worrying pattern of hostility toward those in the legal profession.
“Harassment and intimidation have no place in our justice system,” said Colin Mitchell, President of the Law Society. “Our members must feel safe to uphold the rule of law. When they are threatened, the entire justice system is placed in jeopardy.”
The Society also highlighted serious shortcomings in current legal protections. In one recent case, a judge acknowledged that a solicitor was targeted specifically for undertaking her legal duties, yet the perpetrator received only a suspended sentence.
In response, the Society is advocating that unduly lenient sentences handed down in lower courts be eligible for review by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Its campaign rests on three pillars: influencing public policy, providing practical support for solicitors, and raising public awareness about the risks legal professionals now face.
“This isn’t about isolated incidents,” Mitchell said. “It’s about recognising the escalating threats, particularly to those handling high-conflict or contentious matters. When lawyers are intimidated, it produces a chilling effect—deterring them from taking on difficult cases and thereby denying justice to vulnerable clients.”
The Society is calling for immediate, constructive engagement with both government and police to deliver concrete protections—before further harm is done.
