Legal practitioners call for action on safety, as almost two-thirds subjected to threat or abuse

The All-Party Group on Access to Justice has hosted a discussion at Parliament Buildings examining the urgent need to protect legal practitioners and justice sector workers from threats and attacks.

The discussion, chaired by APG Chair Stewart Dickson MLA, brought together MLAs, leading legal practitioners and stakeholders to hear directly from those working on the frontline of the justice system about the very real and growing problem of intimidation and harassment they face.

In a recent survey conducted by the Law Society of Northern Ireland, 66 percent of respondents said they had been subjected to some form of threat or abuse in the course of their work, ranging from online harassment to physical attacks.

The Sentencing Bill, soon to be introduced in the Assembly, will include a new offence of assaulting those providing a service to the public or performing a public duty.

The Law Society representatives urged the elected representatives to introduce a statutory presumption that an offender found guilty of assaulting an officer of the court would only receive a suspended sentence in exceptional circumstances.

The event featured expert contributions from David A. Lavery CB, Chief Executive of the Law Society Northern Ireland; Emma Lyons, Solicitor Safety Group; and Denise Kiley KC, Vice Chair of the Bar Council Northern Ireland.

David A. Lavery CB, Chief Executive of the Law Society Northern Ireland, said: “Attacks on officers of the court risk undermining the rule of law and confidence in the Justice System.”

Denise Kiley KC, Vice Chair of the Bar Council Northern Ireland, said: “Today's session was an important opportunity to ensure that the voices of those working within our justice system are heard by our elected representatives. Ensuring that legal practitioners are able to carry out their work safely is fundamental to the effective functioning of our justice system.”

Stewart Dickson MLA, Chair of the All Party Group on Access to Justice, commented: "It was a privilege to hear directly from practitioners and those who work at the coalface of our justice system every day. Hearing about the challenges they face is exactly the kind of conversation the All-Party Group exists to facilitate, and I am grateful to all of our contributors for sharing their experiences and expertise.”