More than half (55%) of Dutch lawyers have experienced aggression, intimidation, or threats from clients or others, such as opposing parties, over the past year,

according to a study conducted for the Dutch Bar Association (Nova). This marks a 5% increase compared to 2022, Trouw reports.

Ipsos I&O surveyed 714 lawyers for the study, finding that verbal violence was the most common form of aggression. 38% of lawyers reported being harassed or intimidated, while 24% faced direct threats. Physical aggression was less common but still concerning, with 4% of respondents reporting such incidents. Lawyers recounted cases involving insults, death threats, and the distribution of altered personal photos.

"What struck me most is that 47% of lawyers rated their most recent incident as 'serious to very serious,'" said Sanne van Oers, general dean of Nova, in an interview with Trouw. "We are once again reminded that these incidents have a profound impact on the personal and professional lives of lawyers."

The survey also revealed that over half of the lawyers said these threats and acts of aggression have diminished their job satisfaction, and a quarter reported that their private lives have also been affected.

Nova began closely monitoring lawyer safety after the 2019 murder of criminal defense attorney Derk Wiersum, who was shot outside his Amsterdam home. “This tragedy has prompted more open discussions within the profession about the aggression we face in our work," said Van Oers. "In the past, there was some reluctance to address it, but now the topic is being taken seriously, with additional support and resources made available."

The Bar Association has introduced several measures to protect lawyers, including an emergency hotline for acute threats, resilience training, and a service that checks the security of lawyers' homes and offices.

While some lawyers have come to accept aggression as part of their job, Van Oers emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable. "Aggressive conduct often arises in cases that strike at the heart of people's lives, such as losing a home, a job, or custody of a child. Lawyers understand this as a reason for the behavior, but it needs to be made clear that such violence has no place in our profession. Aggression should never be considered normal." Photo by Blogtrepreneur, Wikimedia commons.