North's solicitors press for greater protection
The Law Society of Northern Ireland has welcomed the North’s Justice Minister Naomi Long’s “willingness to engage” with it on concerns about solicitor safety at a meeting last week.
The solicitors’ organisation also held a meeting with PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher as part of its efforts to press for stronger protections and practical support for solicitors.
The meetings formed part of a wider campaign by the organisation, led by its recently established Solicitor Safety Group, which was created in response to a rising number of reports from solicitors who have faced stalking, harassment, and intimidation.
Legislative measures
At both meetings, practising solicitors who have been directly impacted by threats and harassment were present to share their experiences.
The meeting with Minister Long focused on proposed legislative measures to safeguard the legal profession.
Among the reforms discussed were:
- Statutory recognition of solicitors as first responders for justice,
- Explicit inclusion of attacks on solicitors as aggravating factors in sentencing,
- A statutory presumption against suspended sentences in such cases, and
- New powers to challenge unduly lenient sentences.
Policing response
The society said that, at its meeting with the PSNI Chief Constable, it had reinforced the “urgent need” for a consistent and co-ordinated policing response when solicitors reported threats or abuse.
“The Law Society was encouraged by the seriousness with which the concerns were received and by the commitments made to explore more structured support for the profession.
“Further engagement with senior officers is expected in the coming weeks,” it added.