Chairman of council laments lawyers' familiarity with actual and threatened harm
Sam Townend, chairman of the Bar Council of England and Wales, issued a statement condemning recent incidents of racist and Islamophobic violence in the wake of media reports of threats against immigration and asylum law firms and advice agencies.
The Bar Council was supporting the Law Society of England and Wales in its request that the government treat these threats against the legal profession with the utmost seriousness, the statement said.
“These incidents of racist and Islamophobic violence and rioting are to be utterly deplored,” said Townend in the Bar Council’s press release. “This unrest is the context in which the criminal justice system must respond.”
Townend lamented the legal profession’s familiarity with both “social media threats of assault” and “individual incidences of actual violence,” directed at lawyers who were simply doing their jobs.
“As matters stand, alleged perpetrators arrested and charged will be processed in the usual way, albeit at speed,” Townend said in the statement. “There are no current requirements for any additional measures in relation to the operation of the courts.”
Safety guidance for lawyers
The Bar Council provided safety advice for barristers concerned about their safety during this time of unrest. For lawyers receiving in-person or online threats, the Bar Council recommended reporting these to local police at once. The Bar Council also suggested notifying colleagues, security teams, or building managers if appropriate.
For those with concerns about attending court or tribunal hearings in person, the Bar Council urged them to apply for remote attendance or to request that the hearing be conducted remotely.
The Bar Council said in an update that it reached out to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to discuss safety and security around courts during this time.
“A small number of courts and tribunals have taken precautions to ensure all staff and users can travel home safely,” said the HMCTS spokesperson. “Some hearings have been adjourned and will be relisted as soon as possible.”
The spokesperson clarified that, while certain cases were adjourned and some courts closed to enable court staff and users to get home safely, hearings were not abandoned mid-afternoon on Aug. 7. The spokesperson added that the HMCTS had systems and processes in place to manage risks and that judges would consider whether video hearings were appropriate in lieu of in-person hearings.
In its safety guidance, the Bar Council acknowledged the distress caused by these recent events, particularly for those working in practice areas with potentially increased risks. The Bar Council reminded its members that they could avail of resources and helplines to support their wellbeing and mental health, including the LawCare helpline and a confidential emotional assistance program.
