Colin Mitchell

Monday’s meeting with Mrs Long was attended by the Law Society’s president, Colin Mitchell, and chief executive, David Lavery, as well as practising solicitors who have been directly impacted by threats, harassment and intimidation.

The Law Society said the meeting, which focused on legislative measures to safeguard the legal profession and reinforce public trust in the justice system, was “constructive and serious”.

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.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Mitchell said: “No solicitor should fear for their safety simply because they are upholding the rule of law. An attack on a solicitor is an attack on justice itself.

“We need clear, unequivocal action from the very top of our justice system to challenge and deter this behaviour.”

The Law Society praised Mrs Long’s willingness to engage and noted her track record on issues such as anti-stalking legislation and the protection of women and girls.

Tomorrow, the Law Society will meet with PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher to press for immediate policing measures, including improved training for frontline officers and the appointment of PSNI liaison officers for Northern Ireland’s local solicitors’ associations.

The meetings form part of a wider campaign by the Law Society to address solicitor safety, led by its recently established solicitor safety group.

The group was created in response to a rising number of reports from solicitors, particularly those working in criminal law and family law, who have faced stalking, harassment and intimidation simply for carrying out their duties.

It forms a key pillar of the Law Society’s work to uphold access to justice and protect the independence of the legal profession.

Emma Lyons, a member of the solicitor safety group, previously told Irish Legal News about her own experience of criminal harassment in connection with her work as a family and criminal lawyer.

Mr Lavery said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe at work. That is why we established the solicitor safety group — to give voice to the experiences of our members, to identify practical solutions, and to drive the reforms needed to protect solicitors across Northern Ireland.

“The Law Society is committed to supporting our members and ensuring their safety and wellbeing are protected at every level.”