Life of Newly Qualified UK Lawyer

Category: Mental Health

  • The Night Before: Returning to Word After Annual Leave

    The Night Before: Returning to Word After Annual Leave

    The Night Before: Returning to Work After Annual Leave as a Solicitor

    There’s a special kind of Sunday Scaries that hits different when you’ve just had a week (or two, if you’re lucky) off. I find it hits hardest when you have been able to take the full two weeks off in one go. One minute you’re sipping cocktails, reading novels you’ll never admit to your colleagues, and pretending you’ve forgotten what an email is. The next… it’s 9pm, your suitcase is still on the floor, and your brain is running through all the horrors that Monday could bring.

    Sound familiar? Let’s break this down and let me furnish you with a few tricks to make the transition back to the office a little less soul-crushing, whether you’re in the legal field or not – I think it is fair to say this will strike true for most!

    ⸻

    The Emotional Rollercoaster

    1. The “Inbox Dread” Stage

    You don’t even need to open Outlook to know. The unread count will be there, waiting. Like a digital monster crouched behind your login screen. And even though you had a perfectly lovely time away, you can’t help but wonder if half the profession has collapsed without you. Spoiler: it hasn’t. (Probably.)

    1. The Sudden Productivity Panic

    You’ve just remembered: that matter you swore you’d “pick up after holiday” is now after holiday. Cue lying awake at midnight, mentally drafting attendance notes, while your partner reminds you that whispering “land registry” in your sleep is not normal.

    1. The Existential Reflection

    Why am I even doing this? Maybe I should just move to a Greek island and open a beach bar? I was so much happier not checking emails for a week. (This phase usually lasts until about 11:30am Monday, when you remember you quite like getting paid.)

    ⸻

    How to Survive the Night Before

    1.	Set a Gentle Landing

    Don’t roll into Monday with back-to-back deadlines. If you can, block out the first hour to just read through your emails and get your bearings. You’ll thank yourself later.

    2.	Unpack More Than the Suitcase

    Empty the mental suitcase too. Write down the three biggest tasks you know are waiting. Getting them out of your head makes them far less intimidating.

    3.	Inbox Triage

    Yes, there will be emails. No, you don’t have to reply to all 274 of them before lunch. Skim, delete, delegate, and prioritise. Remember: not everything that says “URGENT” is actually urgent.

    4.	Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive

    Bring a little of the holiday back with you. Coffee in your favourite mug, lunch outside if it’s not raining (…so, not often), or even setting a holiday photo as your background. It’s a small reminder you’re more than your billable hours.

    5.	Plan Something to Look Forward To

    Whether it’s dinner with a friend mid-week, a swim before work, or simply a nap worthy of a toddler — give yourself a mini “holiday” moment to soften the crash landing.

    ⸻

    Final Thoughts

    Returning from annual leave as a solicitor can feel like running into a tidal wave of tasks, deadlines, and client demands. But with a little preparation (and a sense of humour), you can keep the Sunday Scaries from taking over. Remember: the inbox will always be full, the diary will always be busy, but your sanity is worth protecting.

    Besides, it’s only a few weeks until your next annual leave request, right?

    ⚖️ Solicitor by day | 🚢 Cruising the seas and navigating the law | Sharing legal tips & travel tales | 📲 Follow my journey on Instagram | Threads | TikTok | BlueSky |

  • The Day Before Annual Leave: A Solicitor’s Survival Guide

    The Day Before Annual Leave: A Solicitor’s Survival Guide

    The Day Before Annual Leave: A Solicitor’s Survival Guide

    There are few feelings more glorious than that “last day before holiday” buzz. You can almost smell the sunscreen, hear the clink of ice in a glass, and feel the warm breeze — until reality smacks you in the face. Because you’re not just you… you’re you the solicitor, or in my case – a private client solicitor. And there are those few clients that still think you should be at their call any time including when you are on annual leave. This just adds got the stress of the 24 hours before annual leave which is less “relaxed packing” and more “triage unit in a war zone”.

    Let’s go through the stages I experience in the 24 hours up to the big event!

    Stage 1. The Inbox Clearance Mission

    The mythical dream is to “get everything done” before you go. The reality? It’s 5:45pm, you’ve been replying to emails since 7am, and your inbox somehow now has more unread messages than it did this morning. You’ve just sent an “I’ll deal with this when I get back” holding reply… and instantly get an “URGENT – NEED THIS TODAY” email marked high importance.

    And yes, it’s from the client who ghosted you for three weeks. Naturally.

    At the end of the day, there is only so much you can do. So, I do what I can – send that holding email and leave it there. If it is something that cannot absolutely wait, then I will ask a colleague to keep things “ticking” over in my absence but I find that most of the time, these matters can wait for a week or two, especially during the summer months, when most other colleagues and court officials are also on leave.

    ⸻

    Stage 2. The Pre-Holiday Panic Call

    Without fail, the day before you leave, someone will ring you at 4:59pm with:

    “I know you’re going away, but can you just quickly…?”

    No. No, I cannot just quickly. “Quickly” in legal time means anywhere between 45 minutes and a full working day. But instead, you’ll find yourself typing like a caffeinated court reporter, muttering under your breath about how “this will definitely be my last-minute task”. Spoiler: it won’t be.

    ⸻

    Stage 3. The Hand-Over Dance

    Every solicitor knows the awkward joy of the handover note. It’s like passing on the baton in a relay race… except the baton is on fire, the track is made of Lego, and you’ve “just remembered” a crucial deadline halfway through writing it.

    The trick? Make it detailed enough so your colleague knows what’s going on, but vague enough so if things go wrong, it’s technically a “grey area”.

    ⸻

    Stage 4. The Pre-Leave Guilt

    Somehow, you’ll start feeling guilty for going away, as if you’re personally betraying the legal profession or that colleague who you have passed some cases over too by daring to spend a week somewhere that isn’t your office or the land registry portal. You’ll catch yourself saying things like:

    “I’ll have my phone if you need me!”

    Don’t do this. We both know you’ll be sipping something fruity on a balcony while pretending to read The Times app.

    ⸻

    Stage 5. The Final Office Sweep

    You know you’re about to be gone for more than a weekend when you start doing “the sweep”:

    •	Delete any mysterious sticky notes that might incriminate you.
•	Check your desk drawer for snacks that may evolve into new lifeforms.
•	Turn off your monitor like you’re locking the front door of Fort Knox.

    And yes, double-check the out-of-office email. You can’t risk last year’s blunder where you accidentally left it saying:

    “I’m on leave until 2019.”

    ⸻

    Stage 6. The Moment of Liberation

    Finally… it’s time. Laptop shut. Lights off. One last “have a nice holiday!” from the team. You step outside, take a deep breath, and feel the sweet release. For the next week or two, your only deadlines involve SPF reapplication and booking dinner reservations.

    Until you get that one email that says:

    “Hope you’re having a great time — quick question…”

    ⸻

    Moral of the story: The day before annual leave as a solicitor is a high-stakes, high-speed marathon. But that first cocktail on arrival? Worth. Every. Second.

    ⚖️ Solicitor by day | 🚢 Cruising the seas and navigating the law | Sharing legal tips & travel tales | 📲 Follow my journey on Instagram | Threads | TikTok | BlueSky |

  • What’s It Really Like Being a Solicitor in Northern Ireland?

    What’s It Really Like Being a Solicitor in Northern Ireland?

    Being a solicitor in Northern Ireland isn’t just a job—it’s an experience shaped by unique cultural, professional, and economic dynamics. Whether you’re a trainee just starting out or years into the game, you might have already noticed that the legal landscape here has its fair share of quirks, perks, and challenges.

    But have you ever taken a step back and really thought about what sets it apart?

    The Good Bits (and There Are Plenty)

    A Tight-Knit Legal Community

    Northern Ireland’s legal scene is relatively small, and that can be a real advantage. You’re more than just a number here—colleagues, counsel, and even judges tend to become familiar over time. This kind of close-knit environment can make building relationships, trust, and a professional reputation feel more achievable.

    Have you ever benefited from the closeness of the profession here—or found it a bit too tight for comfort?

    Diverse Work Early On

    Unlike in some larger jurisdictions, junior solicitors in Northern Ireland often gain broad exposure across different practice areas. In a single week, you might touch on conveyancing, wills, litigation, and family matters. It’s a crash course in versatility. This off course will depend on what firm you are training with. Some firms may not venture much into the realms of litigation or criminal law for instance.

    What would you do if you were thrown into a case well outside your comfort zone—embrace the challenge or panic first, learn later?

    Work-Life Balance Potential

    Shorter commutes, lower living costs, and less of the “always-on” culture of bigger cities can make balancing work and life more manageable here—if you’re in the right firm.

    How do you feel about your current balance? Could you imagine trading some prestige for more peace of mind?

    And Then, the Challenges…

    A Competitive, Strained Market

    Let’s not sugar-coat it—legal aid cuts, fee pressure, and an oversupply of graduates make the market tough. Smaller firms in particular can feel the pinch.

    What would you do if your firm began cutting back or restructuring? Are you prepared—or just hoping for the best?

    Mental Load and Burnout

    Solicitors in Northern Ireland face the same long hours, high expectations, and emotionally draining cases as elsewhere—but often with fewer resources. While support is improving, talking about burnout still feels taboo in many circles.

    How do you deal with the emotional toll of the job? Is there enough space to talk honestly about wellbeing in your workplace?

    So… Is It Worth It?

    The answer will differ for everyone. Some days, the work is meaningful, the pace rewarding, and the people around you make it all worthwhile. Other days? Well, we all know how those go.

    If you could go back to day one of your legal career—would you still choose this path? Or has it made you rethink what you really want from your work and life?

    ⚖️ Solicitor by day | 🚢 Cruising the seas and navigating the law | Sharing legal tips & travel tales | 📲 Follow my journey on Instagram | Threads | TikTok | BlueSky |

  • Coping with Failure in Law Exams: SQE1, LPC, and Beyond.

    Coping with Failure in Law Exams: SQE1, LPC, and Beyond.

    It is that time of year where results from SQE are published as well as in Northern Ireland the IPLS. Failure in a law exam—whether it’s the SQE1, LPC, IPLS or any other legal qualification—can feel like a gut punch! And I have had my own fair share of those. After all you’ve put in hours of study, sacrificed sleep (and perhaps sanity), and then, the dreaded result arrives. But here’s the truth: failing an exam doesn’t define you as a lawyer, nor does it mean your legal career is over. It’s a setback, not a life sentence.

    So here are my thoughts and musings on this, just to add my money’s worth to all the other sears who have posted similar elsewhere.

    1. Allow Yourself to Feel Disappointed (Briefly)

    Failing a law exam is frustrating, and it’s okay to feel disappointed. Allow yourself a short period to process the result—whether that means venting to a friend, indulging in comfort food, or spending a day sulking. But set a time limit. The longer you dwell on the failure, the harder it becomes to bounce back.

    2. Reframe the Narrative

    Many successful lawyers have failed exams along the way. Some of the brightest legal minds have faced setbacks but went on to achieve incredible careers. Failing an exam is not proof that you’re not cut out for law; it’s simply proof that you need a new strategy.

    3. Analyze What Went Wrong

    This part is crucial. Understanding why you failed is the key to passing next time. Ask yourself:

    • Did I underestimate the difficulty of the exam?
    • Was my study technique ineffective?
    • Did I run out of time during the exam?
    • Was stress or burnout a factor?
    • Do I need extra support (e.g., tutoring, study groups, or better materials)?

    If possible, review your exam performance breakdown to identify weak areas. For example, in SQE1, were multiple-choice questions your downfall? In the LPC, was it essay structure or legal drafting? In the IPLS where it uses negative marking, what areas did you come short on? Again was it just a time issue?

    4. Adapt Your Study Strategy

    Once you’ve identified what went wrong, tweak your approach. Some key adjustments might include:

    • Active Learning: Swap passive reading for problem-solving exercises and practice questions.
    • Timed Practice: Simulate exam conditions to improve time management.
    • Structured Study Plan: Stick to a timetable that covers all key topics.
    • Seek Help: Join a study group, find a tutor, or use online resources. Speak to others who succeeded and ask for their advice and tips.

    5. Take Care of Your Mental Well-being

    Failure can knock your confidence, but your mindset plays a massive role in success. Avoid the downward spiral of self-doubt by focusing on self-care:

    • Maintain a balanced routine with breaks and exercise.
    • Speak to others who’ve been in your shoes.
    • Stay positive and keep perspective—this is just one step in a long career.

    6. Plan Your Comeback

    Failing once doesn’t mean failing forever. Set a clear, structured plan for your next attempt, incorporating what you’ve learned. Set realistic but ambitious goals, and remind yourself why you started this journey in the first place.

    7. Remember: You Are Not Alone

    Legal exams are tough, and failing one is more common than you might think. Reach out to peers, mentors, or online legal communities for support and motivation.

    Keep going—your legal career is still very much within reach!

    Don’t forget to check me out and sign up

    ⚖️ Solicitor by day | 🚢 Cruising the seas and navigating the law | Sharing legal tips & travel tales | 📲 Follow my journey on Instagram | Threads | TikTok | BlueSky |

  • Back to the Grind: A Solicitor’s Guide to Post-Holiday Blues

    Returning to work after a relaxing holiday can be a bittersweet experience. While it’s great to be back in familiar surroundings, and back to routine, the transition can often be challenging. Solicitors, in particular, face unique pressures and stresses as they dive back into their demanding workloads. In this post, I want to highlight some common hurdles I and other colleagues have encountered and offer practical tips to help you overcome the post-holiday blues and transition smoothly back into your professional life.

    Common Challenges for Solicitors Returning to Work

    • Overwhelming Workload: This is one that I dread and the daunting feeling starts to mount on the day before I go back to work. The thought of returning to a backlog of emails, court case updates, and client meetings can be daunting. This sudden influx of tasks can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety.
    • Difficulty Focusing: After weeks of relaxation, it can be difficult to concentrate and maintain productivity. Distractions and a lack of motivation may hinder your ability to focus on your work.
    • Jet Lag and Fatigue: For those who traveled to different time zones, jet lag can take a toll on your energy levels and concentration. This physical fatigue can make it challenging to adjust to regular work hours.
    • Emotional Letdown: The transition from a carefree vacation to the demands of work can cause emotional letdown. This can lead to feelings of sadness, frustration, or even burnout.

    Tips for a Smooth Transition

    1. Plan Ahead: Before you leave for vacation, take the time to organise your workload and delegate tasks whenever possible. This will help reduce the stress of returning to a mountain of work.
    2. Set Realistic Expectations: Don’t expect to be immediately productive upon your return. Allow yourself some time to adjust to your regular routine.
    3. Prioritise and Delegate: Once you’re back at work, prioritise your tasks and delegate whenever possible. Focus on completing the most urgent and important tasks first.
    4. Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care: Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Engage in activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as exercise and always take your full lunch break. Use it to chat with colleagues and get away from your screen and desk. The temptation will be to work through lunch, but believe me, you need to take that break!
    5. Seek Help: Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it, in particular, if there are urgent tasks that need done and there is a time frame in which they done. Do not suffer in silence and let things slide.

    This is by no means an exhaustive list, but just some of the things I have found. Perhaps these can help you and I am always keen to hear from you! Email or contact me through social media!

    Links to Social Media Accounts

    Instagram – @learninglawyeruk

    Twitter – @LearningLawyer

    Threads – @learninglawyeruk

  • The Importance of Taking Complete Time Out from Work: A Solicitor’s Perspective.

    In the fast-paced world of law, where deadlines loom large and client demands can be relentless, the idea of taking complete time out from work might seem like a luxury or even an impossibility for many solicitors. However, it is very important to prioritise rest and relaxation which is not only crucial for personal well-being but also essential for maintaining professional effectiveness and longevity in the legal profession. This is something I have struggled with – to take complete time out and not delve into or peek at emails on the work mobile but I have found that I have to in order to have a complete break and to just have a reset.

    Mental Health and Well-being

    Solicitors are often faced with high-stress situations, tight deadlines, and the weight of responsibility for their clients’ legal matters. Without adequate time for rest and rejuvenation, burnout becomes a real risk. Taking complete time out from work allows solicitors to recharge mentally and emotionally, reducing the risk of burnout, anxiety, and depression. Prioritising mental health not only benefits the individual solicitor but also enhances their ability to provide effective representation for their clients.

    Work-Life Balance

    Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for long-term satisfaction and success in any profession, including law. While dedication to one’s work is admirable, neglecting other aspects of life, such as family, hobbies, and self-care, can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction and resentment. By taking complete time out from work, solicitors can cultivate meaningful relationships, pursue personal interests, and engage in activities that bring joy and fulfillment outside of the office.

    Creativity and Innovation

    Constantly being immersed in work can stifle creativity and innovation. Taking time away from the demands of the legal profession provides solicitors with the opportunity to gain new perspectives, explore different interests, and engage in activities that stimulate their creativity. Whether it’s traveling to new destinations, participating in artistic endeavors, or simply spending time in nature, taking a break from work allows solicitors to return to their professional duties with fresh ideas and renewed enthusiasm.

    Enhanced Productivity

    Contrary to popular belief, working longer hours does not always equate to greater productivity. In fact, research has shown that overworking can lead to decreased efficiency, mistakes, and poor decision-making. By taking complete time out from work, solicitors give themselves the chance to rest and recharge, ultimately leading to improved focus, concentration, and productivity when they return to their legal duties.

    Off course, everything which I have written, is from my own perspective and what I have started to learn and try to build upon. It has not been easy to reach this point where I can write this and honestly say that I am putting this into practice in my own professional career and finding that it has and is helping me. If anything perhaps, some of you, who like me in are early in their careers can learn this sooner rather than later and gain from it.

  • Dealing with Difficult Solicitors.

    There will always be that one solicitor on the other side, whether it is in a conveyancing transaction, litigation or something else, that will be hard to work with. It will seem they are deliberately trying to make things more difficult than they have to be and most of the issues they have raised are non-existent and nothing that needs to be debated about. Generally, the legal profession is in itself demanding and often an adversarial one, so it is one more added factor when you have to deal with difficult Solicitors, in particular, especially when it is in a high-pressure situation, and you are dealing with complex legal issues and often difficult clients. I should say that in most cases many of the solicitors I have worked with are professional and courteous, but there have been a couple of difficult ones.

    Dealing with difficult solicitors can be challenging, and believe me you will come across them sooner or later, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. There are a number of things that I have learnt going through this which I hope will help you too.

    Here are some tips for dealing with difficult solicitors:

    • Identify the source of the conflict. What is causing the difficulty? Is it a personality clash, a difference in working styles, or a disagreement over legal strategy? Sometimes it is because the solicitor on the other side is a lot more experienced and believe that their way is the best way and that know what is best. It is important, from your own perspective to try and think about what the issue is and use this to move on and realise that the issue is not with you and is entirely on them.
    • Communicate assertively. Stick with what you know and asset your position firmly with reasoning but in a polite manner. These emails are difficult and can take a few drafts but have confidence in your ability and your legal understanding. If needs be get a second opinion from someone in your own firm and get their take to make sure you are on the right track and take confidence from that and adjust your position accordingly. Don’t feel shame for being wrong or having to amend your position. We are all learning.
    • Listen actively. Try to understand the solicitor’s perspective. What might be motivating their behavior? Put yourself in their position, especially in a conveyancing transaction. Are they just trying to protect their client’s interests? Would you do the same if you were on the other side of the transaction?
    • Establish clear boundaries. In the very rare occasion that a solicitor crosses the line and actually is rude or unprofessional, call them out and make it clear that you will not accept that kind of behaviour.
    • Seek support from others. Don’t hesitate to reach out to trusted colleagues or mentors for support and advice. Discussing the situation with others can help you gain perspective and develop effective strategies.
    • Prioritise your well-being. Remember to take care of yourself. If dealing with a difficult solicitor is causing you significant stress or anxiety, prioritise your mental health by taking breaks and seeking professional help if needed.

    Here are some additional tips for dealing with difficult solicitors:

    • Focus on the client’s best interests. Never let your personal feelings about the solicitor interfere with your duty to your client.
    • Document your interactions. Keep a record of your communications with the solicitor, especially if there are any disagreements or conflicts. This documentation can be helpful if you need to escalate the issue to your supervisor or the Law Society.

    Remember, dealing with difficult solicitors is a part of the job. But at the end of the day they are your colleagues and often things work out. Always seek help if you need it, never feel you are on your own or have to deal with things yourself.

  • Lacking Motivation? It happens! More often than you think!

    After the excitement of qualifying and shock of sudden responsibility one you get into the daily grind there can be days where you simply can lack the motivation to work, not because of anything particular, but for some reason, you open that file you have been working on and you find it difficult to get started or you find yourself just staring out the window not doing anything with a empty mind. I think this is a more common experience for people than is admitted. Having thought about this and spoken to other colleagues who have experienced the same thing, it can be caused by a variety of factors, such as stress, burnout, boredom, or even dissatisfaction with what you are doing. Whatever the cause, lack of motivation can make it difficult to focus, be productive, and achieve your goals for that day or even that week or month.

    Whenever I start to experience lack of motivation at work, there are a few things I have found that have helped me to get back on track. These may not work for you, but I though it was worth sharing them and maybe something will help someone:

    1. Identify the root cause. The first step is to try to figure out what’s causing your lack of motivation. Once you know the cause, you can start to work on addressing it. For example, if you’re feeling stressed or burned out, you may need to take some time for yourself to relax and recharge. If you’re bored or dissatisfied with your job, you may need to talk to your manager about taking on new challenges or finding a new role.
    2. Set realistic goals. When you’re feeling unmotivated, it’s important to set small, achievable goals for yourself. This will help you to feel a sense of accomplishment and build momentum. Start by breaking down your larger goals into smaller tasks. Then, set deadlines for yourself and stick to them.
    3. Take breaks. It’s important to take breaks throughout the workday, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Get up and move around, or step outside for some fresh air. Taking breaks will help you to stay focused and motivated.
    4. Reward yourself. When you achieve a goal, reward yourself with something you enjoy. This will help you to stay motivated and on track. Your reward can be anything from taking a break to do something you love to buying yourself a small gift.
    5. Talk to someone. If you’re struggling to deal with lack of motivation on your own, talk to a friend, family member, therapist, or coach. They can offer support and guidance.

    I have also found that it may be useful to consider doing some of the following:

    • Find a purpose. Think about what’s important to you and why you’re doing this work. Having a sense of purpose can help you to stay motivated, even when things are tough.
    • Set goals for yourself. What do you want to achieve in your career? Having specific goals in mind can help you to stay focused and motivated.
    • Break down large tasks into smaller ones. This will make them seem less daunting and more manageable.
    • Take breaks throughout the day. Get up and move around, or step outside for some fresh air. Taking breaks will help you to stay focused and motivated.
    • Reward yourself for your accomplishments. This will help you to stay motivated and on track.
    • Surround yourself with positive people. People who are positive and supportive can help you to stay motivated and upbeat.

    I am not saying that any of these things will work for you, it will depend on you as a person, your role, the work you are doing, amongst other things. Personally, I have found some of these work well and have helped me to re-focus and get back on track. I am not saying that the days of no motivation will not come back, they do – from time to time – but I find I can, for the moment, find my way out.

  • Mental Health and Being a Solicitor – My Own Personal Experience.

    I have been a qualified solicitor for just over one year! I noticed an immediate change in how my work life changed – which was a shock and surprise I was not expecting. It was almost as if the safety net I had been working with was very suddenly and quickly removed and to an extent which was noticeable. There is not doubt that working in the legal sector, in whatever role, can be rewarding but is also a challenging career. However, it is also a profession that is known for its high levels of stress and anxiety. In fact, there are studies out there which show that over 70% of solicitors have experiences some kind of stress and/or anxiety connected with their job and role. This is very evident with the push of Law Societies in the UK pushing mental health and wellbeing services to the solicitors they serve. There is not a month which goes by, where I get an email promoting various options available to solicitors who are experiencing mental health issues or need someone to talk too about the issues they are experiencing with work and their mental health.

    Whether it is just that mental health is a more open issue which people feel comfortable with or that it is a major issue in society, I have found that there are a number of factors that can contribute to mental health problems in the legal sector, some of which I have experienced myself and feel we should all be aware off to try and address any potential issues which could be on the horizon before they become big problems. These include:

    • Long hours and heavy workloads. Solicitors are often expected to work long hours and meet tight deadlines. This can lead to stress, burnout, and exhaustion.
    • A competitive culture. The legal profession is highly competitive, and solicitors, in particular newly qualified and junior solicitors, often feel pressure to excel. This can lead to anxiety and self-doubt.
    • The nature of the work. Solicitors often deal with difficult and sensitive cases, which can be emotionally draining. They may also be exposed to trauma, which can lead to PTSD.
    • Lack of support. Some law firms do not offer adequate support to their employees, which can make it difficult for their solicitors to cope with mental health problems. Although, thankfully Law Societies are trying to address this.

    What can be done to improve mental health in the legal sector?

    There are a number of things that can be done to improve mental health in the legal sector. These include:

    • Promoting a healthy work-life balance. Law firms should encourage their employees to take breaks and time off, and to set realistic workloads.
    • Creating a supportive culture. Law firms should create a culture where solicitors feel comfortable talking about their mental health and seeking support.
    • Providing training and support. Law firms should provide training to their employees on mental health and stress management. They should also offer support services, such as employee assistance programs.

    What can solicitors do to protect their mental health?

    There are a number of things that lawyers can do to protect their mental health. These include:

    • Setting boundaries. It is important for solicitors to set boundaries between their work and personal lives. This means not working long hours every night and taking time for themselves to relax and recharge.
    • Taking breaks. Solicitorss should take regular breaks throughout the day, even if it is just for a few minutes. Getting up and moving around, or taking a few deep breaths, can help to reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
    • Talking to someone. If solicitors are feeling overwhelmed, they should talk to someone they trust, such as a friend, family member, or therapist. Talking about their problems can help them to feel better and develop coping mechanisms.

    Seeking professional help

    If you are a solicitor and you are struggling with your mental health, it is important to seek professional help. A therapist can help you to understand your mental health problems and develop coping mechanisms. They can also provide support and guidance.

    There are a number of organisations that offer support to solicitors with mental health problems. These include:

    • LawCare (UK)
    • Mental Health in Law (UK)

    Please remember that you are not alone. Many solicitors struggle with their mental health. If you are struggling, please reach out for help.