Journal employment survey seeks experiences of personal attacks

Solicitors who have experienced any violent or threatening conduct or communication through their professional duties as a solicitor are being urged to report these occasions anonymously to the Law Society of Scotland.

The opportunity is included in the annual employment survey carried out by the Journal, which has been brought forward to this month in response to the knife attack on Glasgow solicitor Joe Shields. He was seriously injured in an attack close to Glasgow Sheriff Court, which is thought to been connected with a case in which he acted.

The survey, which is entirely anonymous, provides data on pay, job status and working hours which are reported on in the Journal. Each year it also includes questions on matters of topical concern, and the Society regards it as important to find out the level of risk of violent or threatening conduct or communication to which solicitors are exposed.

Chief executive Lorna Jack said of the assault on Joe Shields: “This is a very shocking attack. Our heartfelt thoughts go out to Mr Shields and his family and we wish him a speedy recovery. We are in contact with his firm and will offer support to Mr Shields and his colleagues.”

She added: “It is essential that people are safe while doing their jobs. Solicitors help people, often at extremely difficult times in their lives, and it's important they can do this without fear or favour.”

The survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/journal18. It runs until Monday 27 August. Findings on the assault questions will be reported in the September Journal, and the full analysis will be published in October.