The Law Society takes seriously threats to the rule of law, including those targeted at all legal professionals. In recent months, we have been made aware of several incidents where solicitors, particularly those working in the area of immigration, were the subject of threats, harassment or intimidation.

In the Law Society’s public statement condemning such acts in August 2024, we reaffirmed our commitment to continuing to support solicitors and legal professionals and will work with the Gardaí to ensure that legal professionals can operate safely in an environment that recognises the important role that they play in our justice system and ensure that they are not hampered by threats of violence or intimidation. Threats made against lawyers cannot and will not be tolerated, and those who engage in threatening or intimidatory behaviour must be held to account for their actions.

Solicitor safety incident log

As we continue to support solicitors, the Law Society would like to understand the nature and extent of these incidents and respond accordingly. We have launched a new online solicitor safety incident log to gather information on incidents of threats, harassment or intimidation experienced by solicitors while fulfilling their legal duties. Solicitors who choose to alert us to their experiences of such acts are encouraged to use this form to share details.

• Access the solicitor safety incident log

This form is not intended to in any way replace the need for such incidents to be reported to An Garda Síochána, but it will be a facility that will enable the Law Society to begin to gather information on conduct of this nature, which should help us be better equipped to engage with the Gardaí on an ongoing basis to counter this problem.

The Law Society advises solicitors to report any threats or acts of intimidation to the Gardaí. No incident involving threats or intimidation of solicitors should go unreported.

Services for solicitors

We understand that solicitors who experience threats or acts of intimidation may be impacted both professionally and personally. Solicitors can engage with Law Society Psychological Services to learn about the range of supports available.