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Threats to solicitors report

As the summer riots of 2024 demonstrated, the role of a solicitor is not without risk. Too often, they can find themselves targeted with unacceptable abuse, aggression and threats to personal safety or livelihoods.

28 Nov 2025

3 minute read

In August 2025, we surveyed solicitors on the risks and threats they have experienced in their day-to-day working lives.

We wanted to test the current environment to better understand the extent and the impact of threats experienced across the profession.

The results show that the level of threats to solicitors has significantly increased.

These threats extend across a wide range of practice areas and impact solicitors’ personal safety, mental health and wellbeing, and the likelihood of them staying in the profession.

While many firms have introduced measures to enhance safety and threat awareness, this survey reveals a need for greater action.

Ensuring solicitors can work safely is essential to maintaining a fair and functioning justice system. Policymakers, representative bodies and firms must do more to protect their safety.

Key findings

The survey recorded 286 responses and found widespread negative experiences and concern about personal welfare in the legal profession:

half of all respondents reported that they, or their organisation, had received threats or abuse in the last 12 months
38% of respondents felt their personal safety was at risk because of their work, with significantly higher rates among those in criminal law, social welfare, and advocacy and litigation
13% had considered leaving the profession due to threats: this was higher among female solicitors, those from minority ethnic backgrounds, and early and mid-career solicitors

The extent of threat

The survey revealed an increasing level of threat to solicitors.

29% of respondents observed an increase in threats over the past three to four years.

This increases to 35% over the past one to two years, and 37% in the last 12 months.

What are threats connected to?

65% of threats were connected to a current or recent case, but national media and public events were also triggers.

To see the infographic about this topic, please refer to the live page.

Where do threats occur?

Most threats reported by survey respondents were made by email, verbally or on social media.

Respondents also highlighted that threats were sometimes delivered through multiple methods, the most popular being a mixture of written, verbal and online abuse.

To see the infographic about this topic, please refer to the live page.

Sources of threat

Opposing clients were most frequently identified as a source of threats. Other identified sources include:

former clients
current clients
members of the public

To see the infographic about this topic, please refer to the live page.

Some member segments are more widely targeted by specific sources.

For example, the highest levels of threats to solicitors working in-house or for another non-law firm were from members of the public.

This was also the case for those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Impact of threats

Respondents reported an impact of threats on their psychological health and professional functioning.

45% indicated an impact on their overall wellbeing
33% reported a decrease in their willingness to perform their work
29% cited an impact on the ability to perform their work
28% highlighted a negative effect on their business reputation or business operations

Protection measures and support

58% of respondents said their employer has introduced measures to protect staff from threat.

This was most reported by respondents in the South West and Wales, where 82% of firms and organisations have implemented safety measures.

What has been done?

Where firms have acted, protection measures included:

new cyber security measures
enhanced physical security measures or policies
contacting the police
employee training on security protocols
changed practices around client contact and meetings

To see the infographic about this topic, please refer to the live page.

The implementation of new cyber security measures was the most popular response.

However, 19% indicated their firm or organisation had taken no action after facing a threat.

45% of the solicitors who had experienced threat also took no additional personal safety measures.

What could be improved?

Respondents want firms to do more to support staff in managing threats, particularly by:

offering training on managing threats
establishing a clear protocol for reporting incidents
providing access to mental health resources
increasing awareness and education on workplace safety
offering regular check-ins and support from management
enhancing building access controls
improving communication and reporting channels

What can we do?

Many respondents who had received threats felt that the Law Society has a role to play in supporting solicitors facing threats.

Most respondents (64%) want the Law Society to engage in advocacy to improve public and political understanding of the profession.

Other steps respondents want us to take include:

providing guidance on best practice for safety and threat management
providing resources or templates for firm policies
providing legal support for firms affected by threats

Our next steps

Protecting our members and their interests is what we are here to do.

We will continue and strengthen our support for solicitors by:

advocating for policy change
speaking out against harmful behaviour and language
collaborating with law societies and bar associations across the world
promoting and expanding our guidance, training and support services to ensure no one feels they must handle unacceptable and abusive behaviour alone

We know these experiences can have a lasting impact on mental and physical health.

You can find practical advice in our guidance on protecting yourself and your organisation against attacks.

For free, independent and confidential emotional support, contact LawCare.