Legal organizations have criticized Conservative and Reform politicians for using language deemed “irresponsible and dangerous,” which has placed lawyers in jeopardy. In an extraordinary move, six legal associations, representing a total of 250,000 lawyers, have expressed serious concerns about the treatment of legal professionals simply for carrying out their duties. This reaction comes in the wake of a controversial speech by Robert Jenrick at a Tory conference, where he theatrically brandished a judge’s wig, proclaiming his stance against allowing any political activists to wear such attire again.
Jenrick faced heavy criticism from the Government for allegedly attacking British values and undermining institutions and traditions essential for national unity. Additionally, there have been calls to abolish the independent body responsible for setting guidelines for judges and magistrates in England and Wales, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch repeatedly referring to “activist lawyers.” The Conservative Party and Reform UK have also raised concerns about perceived disparities in the justice system.
Various legal bodies, including the Bar Council of England and Wales, the Law Society of England and Wales, and similar organizations in Scotland and Northern Ireland, have jointly issued a statement expressing worries about threats directed towards legal professionals and their families. They emphasized the importance of respecting the independence of the judiciary from political influence and highlighted the crucial role lawyers play in ensuring fair legal processes for individuals facing significant legal challenges.
The statement further condemned politically motivated attacks on the legal profession, citing instances of violence, death threats, and other forms of intimidation directed at legal practitioners. The organizations stressed that such actions undermine public trust in the rule of law and jeopardize the principles of justice and democracy. They called for a halt to the escalating intimidation faced by barristers, solicitors, and judges, emphasizing the need to uphold democratic values and protect those who uphold the justice system.
In their message, the legal bodies clarified that lawyers represent their clients and are not the clients themselves, reminding politicians that justice should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their status. They concluded by asserting that no one, including politicians, is exempt from the law’s provisions, emphasizing the universal application of legal protections.
