Research by the Law Society of England and Wales has laid bare the levels of threats faced by solicitors, with half of those interviewed for the research reporting threats or abuse related to their work in the last 12 months.
The survey of 286 Law Society members, carried out in August, revealed ‘an alarmingly high’ level of threat to solicitors, with 49% reporting either they or their firm had received threats or abuse, and 27% saying they had been targeted personally. In criminal law, as many as 68% of respondents had received personal threats, with 58% of solicitors working in family law and housing being threatened, and 42% of those working in dispute resolution, advocacy and litigation.
‘The results of the survey show that the level of threats to solicitors has significantly increased and extends across a wide range of practice areas’, the Law Society said.
“These findings demonstrate the urgent need to address the issue of threats to solicitors. I solicitors cannot go about their work without fear of being targeted, they cannot fulfil their role of supporting and protecting the public.
Just as we would not tolerate a doctor or a teacher being abused simply for doing their job, we should not accept abuse towards solicitors for doing the same.”
The survey – which the Law Society says is intended to be a preliminary piece of research to pave the way for future projects – highlights the widespread negative experiences faced by solicitors, and raises concerns about personal welfare.
Almost two in five (38%) said they felt a threat to their personal safety because of their chosen profession, with 13% saying they had considered leaving as a result. Just under half of those who had experienced threats (45%) said there had been an impact on their wellbeing, 33% reported a decrease in their willingness to perform their work, 29% said their ability to work had been impacted, and 28% highlighted a negative impact on their business. For respondents from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, this rose to 56%.
Most of the threats reported by respondents were received by email (29%), verbally (27%), or on social media (18%). One in 10 of the solicitors who had received threats said they had been harassed or stalked, with one respondent saying they had been stalked for 15 years despite the police being informed.
When asked about the source of the threats, 37% said they had received a threat from opposing clients, with 27% receiving threats from former clients, 27% from current clients, and 26% saying they had been threatened by members of the public.
Two thirds (65%) of threats were connected to a current or recent case, but national media (24%) and public events (18%) were also significant triggers.
Despite the level and significance of the threats received, a fifth of affected solicitors said no action was taken by their employer. More than half (59%) said they wanted to the Law Society to provide guidance on best practice for their safety, with 43% requesting resources or templates for firm policies, and 38% asking the Law Society to provide legal support for firms affected by threats.
‘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 is alarmingly commonplace.
“If solicitors cannot go about providing a valuable service to the public without fear of being targeted, we are all harmed.”
The Law Society said it will use the research, along with further consultation with members, to develop the support it provides, including advocacy and collaboration, support for firms and organisations, and support for individual solicitors.
The society is also urging the government to ratify the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer from the Council of Europe, which opened for signature in May 2025 and has been signed by 21 states, including the UK.
Evans concluded:
“We will continue to speak out against damaging rhetoric, to increase understanding of our members’ crucial work benefitting society and the economy, and to strengthen the support we provide to solicitors under threat. We are also calling on the government to ratify the new Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer to demonstrate its support.”
The Law Society has issued a joint statement on attacks on the legal profession, along with guidance for solicitors.
