“I am deeply troubled and saddened to see the scenes unfolding on the streets of Britain.” I. Stephanie Boyce

I am deeply troubled and saddened to see the scenes unfolding on the streets of Britain where individuals are being targeted because of a particular characteristic.

Those individuals who are perpetrating this type of threatening behaviour are not representative of Britain.

Further, it is misleading and dangerous to name-call lawyers who are doing their job and upholding the rule of law.

Anyone has a right to challenge the legality of the law with the assistance of a lawyer, who has a duty to advise their client on their rights.

Threats of attack on immigration law firms and advice centres and on the legal profession undermine the rule of law and can have real-life consequences.

The rioting, the violent protests, the racist attacks, and those who are whipping up on social media and encouraging violent criminal and intimidating behaviour should also feel the full force of the law. Perhaps it’s time for the government to take the extraordinary step of suspending social media temporarily. Individuals must be reassured that they can go about their daily business free from threats, intimidation and violence. We must all stand united in our calls for peace.

#Equality #Justice #Law #LegalProfession #Peace #Endtherioting

Photo: I. Stephanie Boyce FKC, FRSA

I. Stephanie Boyce is the Former President of the Law Society of England and Wales. In March 2021 she made history becoming the 177th, the sixth female and the first person of colour to become president. During her tenure as president she successfully steered the profession through a number of world crises which challenged the legal sector like never before including the Covid 19 pandemic, holding the line in difficult times and helping the Law Society to define its core public value in the 21st century, whilst redefining how it delivered and remained true to those core values in a digital world.