A growing number of solicitors across England and Wales are reaching breaking point, with The Solicitors’ Charity revealing a massive threefold increase in requests for support.
The charity’s newly-published Big Report 2024 shows a stark reality as the number of solicitors seeking help with emotional wellbeing issues soared, with referrals for professional support up by 178%.
The rise reflects growing pressure on professionals facing burnout, long-term illness, unexpected redundancy and rising living costs. This, along with providing the everyday support needed with a wide variety of chronic wellbeing issues, which helps people back to being self-supporting, is what the charity delivered in 2024; and the level of demand is continuing into 2025.
Overall, the charity has seen a 60% increase in the provision of financial wellbeing assistance – part of the response to an unprecedented increase in enquiries from solicitors dealing with debt, emotional wellbeing and physical health issues.
In response, The Solicitors’ Charity:
Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity, said:
“Another year has passed – and once again, it’s been far from easy for many working in the legal profession. Solicitors continue to face mounting pressures and the surge in emotional support referrals shows just how deeply many solicitors are struggling.
“Our role as a safety net is more vital than ever, as is the legal sector’s responsibility to look after its own whether as an employer in a firm, or as a member of one of the institutions that champion, support and regulate solicitors. What’s clearly needed is a more compassionate, collaborative, and connected profession, one that takes care of its people as much as it does clients and consumers.
“This year, we’re stepping up our efforts to build stronger ties with firms, support organisations, and sector leaders. We’re launching a new engagement programme designed to help firms better understand how they can play an active role in supporting people in the profession to ensure that no one slips through the cracks.
“We urge the legal community to read and share this report – and to support us in reaching every solicitor who needs help.”
The Big Report 2024 also reveals that more younger solicitors are now seeking help, and 68% of those supported identified as having a disability, which is far above the number in wider society.
Nina*, one of the charity’s clients, shared her experience: “The Solicitors’ Charity was a lifesaver. My levels of stress were high, so finding the charity was a Godsend and knowing it would help lifted a huge weight from me.”
A Case Manager from the charity’s Wellbeing & Grants Team, who has day-to-day contact with those in stressful situations, added: “The support we offer is a real lifeline. It validates the role of The Solicitors’ Charity as a critical safety net for the profession.”
The full Big Report 2024 is available to read online: https://thesolicitorscharity.org/big-report/
Find out how you can ‘Play Your Part’ in supporting the charity, at https://www.thesolicitorscharity.org/play-your-part/
*Name changed to protect the client’s identity.
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