Growing hostility towards lawyers and judges has prompted six major UK legal bodies to issue a joint warning over escalating intimidation of members of the legal profession. The Bar Council, the Law Societies of England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Faculty of Advocates, representing around 250,000 legal professionals, say the rising attacks threaten the rule of law
In a unified statement, the legal associations condemned a climate in which legal professionals are being vilified simply for fulfilling their duties. They stress that the judiciary must remain independent of political interference and that lawyers have an ethical duty to represent clients “without fear or favour.” Political rhetoric aimed at judges and solicitors challenges these principles and undermines public confidence in justice.
Real Threats to Safety and Independence
The statement cites alarming incidents: barristers, solicitors and judges have faced violence, rape threats, death threats, and threats aimed at family members. Law firms and offices have at times been stormed by protestors. The legal bodies warn that these are not isolated outrages but part of a worrying pattern of intimidation targeting those who uphold the legal system.
The Danger of Politically Motivated Attacks
Legal professionals argue that politically charged criticisms of judges and lawyers are irresponsible and dangerous. Such attacks erode trust in the rule of law and weaken the foundations of justice that support democracy. The legal profession insists that lawyers must not suffer adverse consequences simply because of the causes they represent or the clients they serve.
Why This Matters Now: Recent Erosion of Judicial Respect
In recent months, tensions between government figures and the judiciary have risen. In February 2025, senior lawyers decried “venomous” attacks on Attorney General Richard Hermer, calling them harmful to public trust in legal institutions. Earlier, proposals by a Conservative shadow justice minister to shift judicial appointments under ministerial control drew fierce backlash from legal experts who saw that as a threat to judicial independence. This context helps explain why the current concerted warning from the legal profession carries urgent weight.
What Legal Bodies Are Demanding
The coalition of legal institutions is calling for:
•Respectful public discourse: Politicians and public figures should refrain from attacking judges and lawyers in inflammatory language.
•Protection and safety measures: Law enforcement and security steps to shield legal professionals and their families.
•Assurance of independence: Politicians must commit to upholding the autonomy of courts and legal practitioners.
•Clear boundaries: Recognize that representing controversial clients is part of a lawyer’s role, and that lawyers should not be conflated with their clients.
The Stakes for Democracy
Lawyers argue that allowing a culture of hostility to flourish invites a slide into authoritarianism, where dissent and legal defense become dangerous. Upholding the safety, dignity and independence of legal professionals is therefore not just a concern for the profession, but for the protection of rights and fair governance across society.
