Contact Us	Volunteers	Privacy Policy
Make a Donation	Education	LawCare News
Annual Report	Feedback	Case Histories

LawCare Annual Report 2008

Chairman's Report

Sadly, in 2008 our services have been even more in demand than in previous years, including overseas (Ireland) for the first time. Despite the public perception that lawyers are in well-paid, secure jobs it is no surprise to other lawyers that many solicitors, barristers and legal executives are facing increased workloads or reduced working hours and feel that their job security is under threat. Calls to our Helpline have increased year on year, and there is a clear focus now on stress and working relationships, although these are often made worse by, or contribute to, alcohol dependency.

We at LawCare also suspect that there is a growing problem of drug addiction amongst lawyers, although this is difficult to determine as few of our callers are willing to admit to this. Despite our guarantee of absolute confidentiality, those lawyers who are struggling with a drug problem are often afraid to admit this because of fears for their future employment.

The forthcoming changes to the structure of the legal profession and the stresses imposed by the recession do not make life any easier for practitioners, and we anticipate that our Helpline will be as busy as ever during the next year, whilst the Trustees of LawCare do their best to secure funding to enable the service to continue. I have seen LawCare’s membership grow substantially and seen the demands on our service increase as well, and it is a credit to Hilary Tilby, our Chief Executive, and to our loyal and hard-working staff that these demands are still being met. so well.

Olivia Burren

Objectives

LawCare was established in 1997 in response to a perceived problem of alcohol abuse within the legal profession. Since then its scope and the services it offers have developed considerably. Today, LawCare’s mission is twofold:

To provide support, assistance, information and referral for professional treatment, to lawyers, their families and their staff, suffering from health problems such as substance abuse, addiction, stress, depression and eating disorders across the UK, Ireland and the Isle of Man. In England and Wales the services are available to Judges, Barristers, Solicitors, Barristers Clerks and Legal Executives; in Scotland, to Solicitors and Barristers; in Northern Ireland, to Judges, Barristers and Solicitors and in Ireland to Solicitors. The services are also available to lawyers’ immediate families, colleagues, and staff.

To educate and inform the legal profession and the public at large about such issues, encouraging firms and individuals to put in place practises and policies which can help prevent problems from arising, or make them easier to deal with if they do occur.

LawCare’s objective is to minimise the incidences of issues which destroy lives, relationships, careers and businesses, as well as damaging the public perception of the legal profession. Where such issues cannot be avoided, then our objective is to support the sufferer, and his / her colleagues, family and friends until the crisis has passed and recovery has been achieved.

Achievements and Events

LawCare’s services were extended overseas for the first time in 2008, with lawyers in the Republic of Ireland benefiting from this support by arrangement with the Law Society of Ireland. A fifth member of staff, Mary Jackson, was recruited in the role of Co-ordinator (Ireland). A new website was launched dedicated to Irish lawyers—www.lawcare.ie.
With the credit crunch having considerable impact on the legal profession, the incidence of calls about problems related to the economic downturn rose from around 1 in 12 for the first six months of the year to 1 in 5 towards the end of the year. As a result, LawCare’s free Debt information pack was revised, and a new information pack was created relating to Redundancy.
Other information packs produced during the year provided information and support for Solicitors facing disciplinary procedures, and advice on dealing with panic attacks. The Alcohol, Stress / Depression and Drugs packs were also extensively revised.
There were an average of 459 hits per day on the LawCare website during the year, lasting an average of 9 minutes each, demonstrating that LawCare not only assists by personal contact (the helpline and preventative education courses), but also through the large range of materials available on the website. The heavy website use suggests that, in line with the increased use of technology in general daily life, many lawyers are now finding the help that they need anonymously through the website, rather than by phoning the helpline.
Preventative education presentations, seminars and workshops were given to legal groups across the UK, ranging from conferences to local law societies; from firms to special interest groups; from chambers to law students. During 2008, LawCare reached over 4000 lawyers by this means. These courses were on the subject of recognition of the symptoms of stress and the problems it can lead to, particularly in relation to increased drinking, together with suggestions for managing stress.

Operations

LawCare offers its support service to lawyers through freephone telephone helplines.

For Solicitors, Legal Executives and Law Students in England and Wales 0800 279 6888
For Solicitors, Advocates and Law Students in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man 0800 279 6869
For Judges, Barristers and Barristers Clerks in England and Wales and Northern Ireland 0800 018 4299
For Solicitors in Ireland 1800 991801

These lines are open 365 days a year, operating from 9 a.m.—7.30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at weekends and UK Bank Holidays. Callers to these helplines are assured of totally confidential, one to one support, plus a wealth of other resources including:-

discussion about their problems and the options open to them
referral to a LawCare Volunteer for ongoing one-to-one support, if appropriate
referral to a professional counsellor or treatment centre, if appropriate
comprehensive printed information packs about the health problem affecting them
advice for third parties on dealing with health issues with a relative or colleague
referral to other pastoral care agencies, where appropriate.

Clients are never told what to do but, rather, are guided to find solutions for themselves, with different options being suggested for consideration. Our motto is “we will walk the path with you shoulder to shoulder, but the choice of the path is yours”.

After each new client calls, a case file is opened on our secure server, so that if there is on-going support, the client does not have to go through all their issues again, which can be very painful, but can pick up where he / she last left off. No one sees these files but the members of staff who man the helplines.

Where a volunteer or health care professional has been involved, there are follow-up calls to ensure that the client is progressing satisfactorily in his / her recovery and the case file is updated accordingly.

General statistical data is also extracted from the case files and is kept on the secure server, which enables LawCare to assist those researching articles / radio / TV programmes on the health issues affecting the legal profession.

LawCare also has a very informative and easily navigable website to which those who require information, but prefer to remain anonymous, may refer. In 2008, the website had 168,082 hits, an average of 459 per day, with each visitor staying on line for at least 9 minutes.

LawCare offers free and informative literature to those in need. The topics covered include:-

stress and depression
alcohol abuse
drug misuse
bullying
redundancy
how to deal with the issues that arise if a colleague or member of staff has an alcohol problem
advice on caring for colleagues and staff with stress problems
a handy and practical desktop workbook about stress
debt
advice on caring for someone who has an alcohol problem
alternative careers

LawCare also publishes a regular newsletter which includes articles on relevant health issues, and is sent, free of charge, to anyone who requests it. Currently over 1,100 individuals and firms receive this publication. In addition, all LawCare volunteers receive their own newsletter keeping them up to date with developments at LawCare and within the team of volunteers, as well as giving advice and training. to better equip them to help those referred to them. LawCare also offers a range of free (except for expenses) presentations and seminars to firms, Local Law Societies, Faculties, Chambers, special interest groups etc. These are on the subjects of stress recognition and management and vicarious trauma.

The People at LawCare

Trustees
LawCare’s policies and development are dealt with by a Board of Trustees, who meet quarterly and who also have a Business Planning Meeting annually. They are:-

Olivia Burren (Chair) Solicitor in Industry
Robert Venables Solicitor, Former Charity Commissioner
James Ness Scottish Solicitor (Retired during 2008)
Bronwen Still Head of Policy, Law Society Ethics Department.
Dr. David Thomson Barrister and Registered Medical Practitioner
Paul Venton Solicitor in Private Practice
Iain Mackie Solicitor in Private Practice
Attracta Wilson Past President of the Northern Ireland Law Society
Carolyn Kirby Past President of the Law Society of England and Wales
Neil Stevenson Law Society of Scotland
Louise Campbell Law Society of Ireland
Tom Murran Member of the Council of the Law Society of Ireland.

Staff
LawCare’s day-to-day running is dealt with by the Chief Executive, assisted by four members of staff, together with a Consultant, Mark Hepburn, who is a specialist in issues of drug and alcohol abuse and eating disorders.

Hilary Tilby (Chief Executive)
Ann Charlton (Co-ordinator, England and Wales)
Trish McLellan (Co-ordinator, Scotland)
Mary Jackson (Co-ordinator, Ireland)
Anna Buttimore (Administrator)

Volunteers
Absolutely essential to LawCare’s work is its team of over 150 volunteers across the country. These are lawyers who freely give of their time to befriend, encourage and support impaired lawyers referred to them by the LawCare staff. This one-to-one help, often from someone who has been through the same problem, is invaluable to suffering lawyers, and can be a crucial element in their recovery. Volunteers are not counsellors. Their role is primarily to befriend and support and to give the benefit of their own experience. They also report back to LawCare regularly, so that additional steps can be taken if further help is needed.

Statistics

2008 was LawCare’s busiest year to date, with 500 new case files opened – over 66% more than in 2007. A total of 1,925 additional calls were also made or taken relating to these case files or on-going cases from earlier years. In addition, LawCare volunteers are known to have made at least 256 calls in relation to lawyers they were supporting on a one-to-one basis.

60% of callers were female, 40% were male.
72% of calls related to stress and/or clinical depression. In cases where callers were asked what field of law they specialised in, the most commonly given were (in order) litigation, conveyancing, commercial, general high street practice, family law and criminal.
9% of helpline callers were reporting difficulties with addiction to alcohol. The number of lawyers calling about alcohol problems has remained fairly static during the eleven years LawCare has been operating, at around 50 per year. 40% of these callers were female, 60% male, unlike 2007 when it had been 50/50 for the first time.
Within the “Other” category, which accounted for 13% of calls, were problems such as ADHD and gambling addiction, as well as a large number of lawyers calling for support because they had been, or feared they would soon be, made redundant.

Case Histories

Case History 1
Alan was a solicitor whose firm had run into difficulties and had eventually failed, leaving the partners with considerable debts. Complaints had arisen and Alan was facing disciplinary proceedings over these, although no dishonesty was alleged. Adding to his problems was the fact that Alan had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and had only around a year to live. He was also suffering from depression.

LawCare staff members ensured first that Alan received counselling, and also contacted the Solicitors Benevolent Association who were able to confirm that they would help with living expenses for Alan and his wife, and would continue to support his wife following his death. LawCare also contacted the Solicitors Assistance Scheme to ask that legal representation be provided for Alan, and in an unusual step but with Alan’s full agreement, wrote to the SRA explaining his situation. After discussion with the SAS solicitor the SRA agreed to drop the disciplinary proceedings on compassionate grounds and cover all the costs of work done so far. This came as a great relief to Alan, and he was able to die without fear of his family facing poverty, and still on the Roll of Solicitors.

Case History 2
Gloria was a sole practitioner in financial difficulty. She had invested in two buy-to-let properties, but both were now in negative equity and she was unable to sell them. She had given the tenants notice so was receiving no rent. Although she spent up to twelve hours a day in the office she seemed to get little done. She was thinking about declaring bankruptcy. She was also thinking about suicide.

LawCare advised Gloria to see her GP, who diagnosed depression, told Gloria to take two months off work, and referred her to a counsellor. As a sole practitioner, Gloria felt that she could not take time away from work, so LawCare put her in touch with the Sole Practitioner’s Group for support. LawCare also referred her to the SBA who provided some help with living expenses and were also able to give her some sound financial advice. Gloria made a slow recovery over the course of six months and has now put her own home on the market with a view to downsizing, ridding herself of the smallest mortgage, and releasing some funds. She is also ready to start looking for employment in law firms in her area.

]

LawCare Annual Report 2007

Objectives

To provide a support, advice, information and referral for professional treatment service to lawyers, their families and their staff, suffering from health problems such as substance abuse, addiction, stress, depression and eating disorders across the UK. In England and Wales the services are available to Judges, Barristers, Solicitors and Legal Executives; in Scotland, to Solicitors; and in Northern Ireland, to Judges and Solicitors. The services are also available to lawyers’ immediate families, colleagues, and staff.
To educate and inform the legal profession and the public at large about such issues, encouraging firms and individuals to put in place practises and policies which can help prevent problems from arising, or make them easier to deal with if they do occur.

This education is vital, as 80% of those consulting LawCare with an alcohol addiction problem say that they started drinking due to stress at work. John Hopkins University calculates that alcohol abuse amongst lawyers is double the national average and that 26% of lawyers have used cocaine. Further, whilst 1 in 4 of the general population will suffer from a depressive illness in their lifetime, lawyers suffer such illnesses almost 4 times as frequently as non-lawyers. The rate of suicide amongst lawyers is 6 times that of the general population, with it being, in North America, the third cause of death amongst lawyers, after cancer and heart disease.

LawCare’s objective is to minimise the incidences of these issues, which destroy lives, relationships, careers and businesses, as well as damaging the public perception of the legal profession. Where such issues cannot be avoided, then our objective is to support the sufferer, and his / her colleagues, family and friends until the crisis has passed and recovery has been achieved.

Achievements and Events

¨ In May 2007 LawCare celebrated its tenth anniversary with a lecture from former Barrister, celebrity cook ( she is adamant that she is not a chef) and recovering alcoholic Clarissa Dickson-Wright. The event was hosted by Clifford Chance at their Canary Wharf offices and attended by members of all areas of the legal profession, including LawCare’s President, Lord Phillips, the Lord Chief Justice.

¨ Two new sets of literature were created, one about Eating Disorders, and the other, timed to coincide with the smoking ban in England and Wales, on giving up smoking.

¨ There were an average of 375 hits per day on the LawCare website during the year, lasting an average of 5 minutes each, demonstrating that LawCare not only assists by personal contact (the helpline and preventative education courses), but also through the large range of materials available on the website. The heavy website use suggests that, in line with the increased use of technology in general daily life, many lawyers are now finding the help that they need anonymously through the website, rather than by phoning the helpline.

¨ Preventative education presentations, seminars and workshops were given to legal groups across the UK, ranging from conferences to local law societies; from firms to special interest groups; from chambers to law students. During 2007, LawCare reached over 4,400 lawyers by this means. These courses were on the subject of recognition of the symptoms of stress and the problems it can lead to, particularly in relation to increased drinking, together with suggestions for managing stress.

¨ During 2007, it was agreed with the Law Society of Ireland; the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland, and the Law Society of the Isle of Man that LawCare’s help and support would become available their members from 1st January 2008.

Operations

LawCare offers its support service to lawyers through freephone telephone helplines.

For Solicitors and Legal Executives in England and Wales 0800 279 6888
For Solicitors in Scotland and Northern Ireland 0800 279 6869
For Judges in England and Wales and Northern Ireland 0800 018 4299
For Barristers in England and Wales 0800 018 4299

These lines are open 365 days a year, operating from 9 a.m.—7.30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at weekends and Bank Holidays. Clients who call these helplines are assured of totally confidential, one to one support, plus a wealth of other resources including:-

· discussion about their problems and the options open to them

· referral to a LawCare Volunteer for ongoing one-to-one support, if appropriate

· referral to a professional counsellor or treatment centre, if appropriate

· comprehensive printed information packs about the health problem affecting them

· advice for third parties on dealing with health issues with a relative or colleague

· referral to other pastoral care agencies, where appropriate.

After each new client calls, a case file is opened on our secure server, so that if there is on-going support, the client does not have to go through all their issues again, which can be very painful, but can pick up where he / she last left off. No one sees these files but the members of staff who man the helplines.

Where a volunteer or health care professional has been involved, there are follow-up calls to ensure that the client is progressing satisfactorily in his / her recovery and the case file is updated accordingly.

General statistical data is also extracted from the case files and is kept on the secure server, which enables LawCare to assist those researching articles / radio / TV programmes on the health issues affecting the legal profession.

LawCare also has a very informative and easily navigable website to which those who require information, but prefer to remain anonymous, may refer. In 2007, the website had an average of 375 hits per day, with each visitor staying on line for at least 5 minutes.

LawCare offers free and informative literature to those in need. The topics covered include:-

· stress and depression

· alcohol abuse

· drug misuse

· bullying

· bereavement

· how to deal with the issues that arise if a colleague or member of staff has an alcohol problem

· advice on caring for colleagues and staff with stress problems

· a handy and practical desktop workbook about stress

· debt

· advice on caring for someone who has an alcohol problem

· alternative careers

LawCare also publishes a regular newsletter which includes articles on relevant health or legal issues, and is sent, free of charge, to anyone who requests it. Currently over 1,100 individuals and firms receive this publication. In addition, all LawCare volunteers receive their own newsletter keeping them up to date with developments at LawCare and within the team of volunteers, as well as giving advice and training to better equip them to help those referred to them.

LawCare also offers a range of free (except for expenses) presentations and seminars to firms, Local Law Societies, Faculties, Chambers, special interest groups etc. These are on the subjects of stress recognition and management and vicarious trauma, and aim to equip lawyers to recognise and deal with these problems before they occur.

The People at LawCare

Trustees

LawCare’s policies and development are dealt with by a Board of Trustees, who meet quarterly and who also have a Business Planning Meeting annually. They are:-

Olivia Burren (Chair) Solicitor in Industry
Robert Venables Solicitor, Former Charity Commissioner
James Ness Scottish Solicitor
Bronwen Still Head of Policy, Law Society Ethics Department.
Richard Steele Solicitor in Private Practice
Dr. David Thomson Barrister and Registered Medical Practitioner
Paul Venton Solicitor in Private Practice
Iain Mackie Solicitor in Private Practice
Attracta Wilson Past President of the Northern Ireland Law Society
Carolyn Kirby Past President of the Law Society of England and Wales
Neil Stevenson Law Society of Scotland

Staff

LawCare’s day-to-day running is dealt with by the Chief Executive, assisted by three members of staff, together with a Consultant, Mark Hepburn, who is a specialist in issues of drug and alcohol abuse and eating disorders.

Hilary Tilby (Chief Executive)
Ann Charlton (Co-ordinator, England and Wales)
Trish McLellan (Co-ordinator, Scotland)
Anna Buttimore (Administrator)

Volunteers

Absolutely essential to LawCare’s work is its team of over 150 volunteers across the country. These are lawyers who have experienced health issues such as those reported by LawCare’s clients and who freely give of their time to befriend, encourage and support impaired lawyers referred to them by the LawCare staff. Again and again, clients report how uplifted and inspired they have felt by talking to someone who has walked in their shoes and gone on to recover their lives. This one-to-one help, from someone who has been through the same problem, is invaluable to suffering lawyers, and is often a crucial element in their recovery. Volunteers are not counsellors. Their role is primarily to befriend and support and to give the benefit of their own experience. They also report back to LawCare regularly, so that additional steps can be taken if further help is needed.

Statistics

In 2007, LawCare opened 301 new case files and carried out a further 1,310 telephone calls relating to ongoing cases.

¨ 15% of callers reported difficulties due to addiction to alcohol and/or drugs. The number of lawyers calling about alcohol problems has remained fairly steady during the ten years that LawCare has been operating.

¨ In relation to Barristers, the numbers reporting addiction problems was higher – 32% of Barristers asking LawCare for help reported a problem with alcohol or drug addiction, which may indicate a greater preparedness to recognise this issue when it occurs and to ask for help. This percentage is higher than in 2006.

¨ For the first time there was an equal number of alcohol related calls from men and women. In past years, men have made up around two-thirds of alcohol abusing callers.

¨ 75% of calls relating to workplace bullying were from women. However, the overall number of calls relating to bullying fell from 8% in 2006 to 6% in 2007.

¨ Cases relating to addiction accounted for 12% of initial calls, but each of those cases involved an average of 5 further calls, as opposed to 3 further calls in stress or depression cases. In total, 1,310 calls were made or taken relating to the 301 cases. Calls were also made relating to case files opened in earlier years.

Case Histories

Case History 1

Scott was a young lawyer and a binge drinker—sober during the working week, but blind drunk all weekend. He had noticed that his binges were starting earlier and finishing later and affecting his work, and felt that the time had come to stop drinking. At the point he called LawCare, had not had a drink for two weeks. He was worried about his ability to stay sober, but his GP had been unsure as to whether Scott was alcoholic or not, since he did not suffer any withdrawal symptoms.

We congratulated him on recognising his problem and confirmed that binge drinking is a form of alcoholism. We arranged for Scott to speak to a LawCare volunteer who was also a lawyer in recovery from alcohol addiction. We encouraged Scott to attend AA meetings and he was soon able to recognise that picking up the first drink was the trigger for his binges, and alter his lifestyle to prevent his benders occurring. He has now been sober for eight months.

Case History 2

Emma had been a lawyer for over fifteen years. However, personnel changes led to her working with a bullying partner who made her life extremely unpleasant. Coupled with the break-up of her marriage, this caused her to slip into a clinical depression. She had seen the doctor and had been signed off work for an extended period. Four months after she went on sick leave, the firm called her in for a meeting and informed her that failure to turn up to work the following day would be accepted as her resignation. Emma was still unfit for work, and did not go in.

With considerable debts from the divorce, a child to support, no income and still suffering debilitating depression Emma called the LawCare helpline in some distress. We gave her details of the Solicitors’ Benevolent Association who were able to provide some funds to cover her day-to-day living expenses. We also put her in touch with the Solicitors’ Assistance Scheme through which she was able to find a solicitor to represent her in a case for unfair dismissal, and another to help with her financial difficulties. She was already receiving counselling through the NHS, but we assigned her a volunteer for additional personal one-to-one support and friendship. Although Emma’s case for unfair dismissal has yet to be heard, she is starting to recover and is hopeful for the future.

LawCare Annual Report 2006

Objectives

To provide a support, advice, information and referral for professional treatment service to lawyers suffering from health problems such as substance abuse, addiction, stress, depression and eating disorders across the UK. In England and Wales the services are available to Judges, Barristers, Solicitors and Legal Executives; in Scotland, to Solicitors; and in Northern Ireland, to Judges and Solicitors. The services are also available to lawyers’ immediate families, colleagues, and staff.

This education is vital, as 80% of those consulting LawCare with an alcohol addiction problem say that they started drinking due to stress at work. John Hopkins University calculates that alcohol abuse amongst lawyers is double the national average and that 26% of lawyers have used cocaine. Further, 1 in 4 of the general population will suffer from a depressive illness in their lifetime and lawyers suffer such illnesses almost 4 times as frequently as non-lawyers. The rate of suicide amongst lawyers is 6 times that of the general population, with it being, in North America, the third cause of death, after cancer and heart disease.

LawCare’s objective is to minimise the incidences of these issues, which destroy lives, relationships and business, as well as damaging the public perception of the legal profession. Where such issues cannot be avoided, then to support the sufferer, and his / her colleagues, family and friends until the crisis has passed and recovery has been achieved.

Achievements and Events

January, March and April 2006 were LawCare’s busiest months on record, with 46, 51 and 41 new case files being opened respectively. Each case file can involve many hours of one to one consultation with a client; plus finding, where appropriate, a volunteer lawyer to give detailed support; plus identifying a suitable professional individual or facility for treatment, where necessary.

Overall, 2006 was LawCare’s busiest year to date, with 423 new case files opened.

LawCare extended its services to cover pastoral care for Barristers’ Clerks and, also, Judges in Northern Ireland, by agreement with the Institute of Barristers Clerks and the DCA respectively.

Two new sets of literature were created, one to aid lawyers who were returning to work following a period away from the profession due to addiction or mental illness and the other to explain the various forms of counselling available, including contributions from therapists and counsellors about their approaches.

At the annual conference of the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs, held in San Francisco, LawCare’s website was voted in third place in the award for Best Websites amongst LAPS all across the USA and Canada.

There were 419 hits per day on the LawCare website during the year, demonstrating that LawCare not only assists by personal contact (the helpline and preventative education courses), but also through the materials available on the website. Each hit lasted an average of nine minutes.

Preventative education presentations, seminars and workshops were given to legal groups across the UK, ranging from conferences to local law societies; from firms to special interest groups; from chambers to law students. During 2006, LawCare reached 2,800 lawyers by this means. These courses were on the subject of stress and the problems it can lead to, particularly in relation to increased drinking.

Operations

LawCare offers its support service to lawyers through freephone telephone helplines.

For Solicitors and Legal Executives in England and Wales 0800 279 6888
For Solicitors in Scotland and Northern Ireland 0800 279 6869
For Judges in England and Wales and Northern Ireland 0800 018 4299
For Barristers in England and Wales 0800 018 4299

discussion about their problems and the options open to them

referral to a LawCare Volunteer for ongoing one-to-one support, if appropriate

referral to a professional counsellor or treatment centre, if appropriate

comprehensive printed information packs about the health problem affecting them

advice for third parties on dealing with health issues with a relative or colleague

referral to other pastoral care agencies, where appropriate.

After each new client calls, a case file is opened on our secure server, so that if there is on-going support, the client does not have to go through all their issues again, which can be very painful, but can pick up where he/she last left off. No one sees these files but the members of staff who man the helplines.

Where a volunteer or health care professional has been involved, there are follow-up calls to ensure that the client is progressing satisfactorily in his/her recovery and the case file is updated accordingly.

General statistical data is also extracted from the case files and is kept on the secure server, which enables LawCare to assist those researching articles / radio / tv programmes on the health issues affecting the legal profession.

LawCare also has a very informative and easily navigable website to which those who require information, but prefer to remain anonymous, may refer. In 2006, the website had an average of 419 hits per day, with each visitor staying on line for at least 9 minutes.

LawCare offers free literature to those in need. The topics covered include:-

stress and depression

alcohol

drug misuse

bullying

bereavement

how to deal with the issues that arise if a colleague or member of staff has an alcohol problem

advice on caring for colleagues and staff with stress problems

a handy and practical desktop workbook about stress and time management.

debt

advice on caring for someone who has an alcohol problem

alternative careers

LawCare also publishes a regular newsletter which includes articles on relevant health or legal issues, and is sent free of charge to anyone who requests it, currently over 1,100 individuals and firms. In addition, all LawCare volunteers receive their own newsletter keeping them up to date with developments at LawCare and within the team of volunteers, as well as giving advice and training to better equip them to help those referred to them.

LawCare also offers free (except for expenses) presentations and seminars to firms, Local Law Societies, Faculties, Chambers, special interest groups etc. These are on the subjects of stress, vicarious trauma, and bullying, and aim to equip lawyers to recognise and deal with these problems before they occur.

The People at LawCare

Trustees

LawCare’s policies and development are dealt with by a Board of Trustees, who meet quarterly. They are:

Robert Venables, Chair Former Charity Commissioner

James Ness Scottish Solicitor

Bronwen Still Head of Policy, Law Society Ethics Department.

Richard Steele Solicitor in Private Practice

Dr. David Thomson Barrister and Registered Medical Practitioner

Paul Venton Solicitor in Private Practice

Iain Mackie Solicitor in Private Practice

Attracta Wilson Past President of the Northern Ireland Law Society

Carolyn Kirby Past President of the Law Society of England and Wales

Olivia Burren Solicitor in Industry

Neil Stevenson Law Society of Scotland

Staff

Hilary Tilby (Chief Executive)
Ann Charlton (Co-ordinator, England and Wales)
Trish McLellan (Co-ordinator, Scotland)
Anna Buttimore (Administrator)

Volunteers

Absolutely essential to LawCare’s work is its team of over 150 volunteers across the country. These are lawyers who have experienced health issues such as those reported by LawCare’s clients and who freely give of their time to befriend, encourage and support impaired lawyers referred to them by the LawCare staff. Again and again, clients report how uplifted and inspired they have felt by talking to someone who has walked in their shoes and gone on to recover their lives. This one-to-one help, from someone who has been through the same problem, is invaluable to suffering lawyers, and is often a crucial element in their recovery. Volunteers are not counsellors. Their role is primarily to support and to give the benefit of their own experience. They also report back to LawCare regularly, so that additional steps can be taken if further help is needed.

Statistics

In 2006, LawCare opened 423 new case files. This was 20% higher than in 2005 (352 new case files) which was in turn 26% higher than in 2005 (279).

12% of callers were reporting difficulties with addiction to alcohol and/or drugs. This is lower than 2005 (at 20%) but higher than in previous years, when this figure has been consistently around 15%.

In relation to Barristers the numbers reporting addiction problems was higher – 23% of Barristers asking LawCare for help reported a problem with alcohol or drug addiction, which may indicate a greater preparedness to recognise this issue when it occurs and to ask for help.

68% of alcohol related calls were from men, as opposed to 40% of stress/depression calls.

70% of calls relating to workplace bullying were from women, compared with 91% in 2005.

Although cases related to addiction accounted for only 12% of initial calls, each of those calls involved an average of 5 further calls to deal with the case, as opposed to 3 further calls in Stress or Depression cases. In total, 1,368 calls were made or taken relating to the 423 cases.

Case Histories

Case History 1

Robin was an experienced City solicitor who had recently had to move to the Sheffield area in order to help care for his invalid parents. He had found a position with a firm there, but was being constantly belittled and bullied by his female supervisor. This had knocked Robin’s confidence to the extent that his GP had signed him off with stress. He was bewildered at how this could have happened to him.

The LawCare staff member dealing with the call helped Robin to recognise that his supervisor felt threatened by Robin. It was suggested that he put together a list of grievances, keeping a diary as necessary, and speak to the Partners about the supervisor’s behaviour. Robin was also able to admit that he was feeling lonely, away from his old friends, and this may have contributed to his vulnerability. He was assigned a LawCare volunteer who spoke to him regularly, offering support and encouragement to help rebuild his confidence. Robin also began attending his local Law Society where he established a new network of friends. He is now back at work and feeling able to stand up to the supervisor’s behaviour.

Case History 2

Gillian phoned about her Barrister husband who was using cocaine and drinking very heavily. He was very unpleasant to be with, blamed her for everything that went wrong, and was a poor parent to their young children. She had tried to discuss the problem with him but he became very defensive first, and angry later. When the possibility of treatment was mentioned she said that he would refuse to take six weeks off work to get better, even though she felt his future depended on it.

She was reassured when told that her husband’s blaming behaviour was typical for an addict, and was advised that if her husband would call LawCare he could be put in touch with a volunteer—a fellow lawyer who was a recovering addict—and helped to find treatment. It was also suggested to her that she attend Al-Anon meetings where she could speak to others going through similar difficulties, and she was assigned her own LawCare volunteer, who had also had an alcoholic partner. To date Gillian’s husband has not called LawCare, but Gillian knows that the help he needs is available as soon as he is ready to ask for it, and is receiving the support she needs to cope until that time comes.

LawCare Annual Report 2005

1. Chairman's Report

2005 has seen yet another increase in the demand for LawCare's services. The number of cases opened, and phone calls in relation to ongoing cases, has reached the highest recorded figures in our history. We also recorded the largest number of new cases opened on one day - 11. Another important development has been the extension of our services to Solicitors in Northern Ireland.

On the one hand, this continued growth is very pleasing, because it means that awareness of the existence of LawCare and the help it can offer is continuing to spread. On the other hand, it is a depressing sign of the pressures on those working in the legal professions, and their families and staff, that more and more are feeling the need of the help and assistance LawCare can offer.

It is particularly satisfying that we reached 3,458 lawyers with our free, preventative education seminars. We take the view that it is far better to prevent a crisis than simply to pick up the pieces afterwards. We know only too well the very high cost of actual crises in personal terms and, potentially, in damage to the reputation of the professions.

We can not stress too much that the service which we provide is completely confidential. We are still very proud of the comfort and help we are able to bring to those who need it. We are equally grateful to all those who make it possible - all our funders, our tremendously committed staff, and our volunteers who walk beside our newer clients and help them through the difficult phase of recovery. We are also grateful to all who refer people to us - an increasing band - and we ask all who read this to spread the word, so that we can try to help even more people.

LawCare offers a free and confidential 365 day a year service to members of the legal professions and their families and staff. To misquote Voltaire, “ if it did not exist, we would have to invent it."

Robert Venables

Chairman, Board of Trustees

2. Objectives

This education is vital, as 80% of those consulting LawCare with an alcohol addiction problem say that they started drinking due to stress at work. John Hopkins University calculates that alcohol abuse amongst lawyers is double the national average and that 26% of lawyers have used cocaine. Further, 1 in 4 of the general population will suffer from a depressive illness in their lifetime and lawyers suffer such illnesses almost 4 times as frequently as non-lawyers. The rate of suicide amongst lawyers is 6 times that of the general population, with it being, in the USA, the third cause of death, after cancer and heart disease.

3. Achievements and Events

LawCare’s third lecture was a highly successful event, hosted by Clifford Chance at their prestigious Cananary Wharf offices and attended by 150 invited guests, including the Lord Chief Justice. The speaker was John McCarthy, on the topic of what he had learned about stress management during his period in captivity in Beirut.
LawCare’s busiest day on record was 19th September 2005, with 11 new case files opened.
November 2005 was the busiest month to date, with 39 new case files being opened. Each case file can involve many hours of one to one consultation with a client; plus finding, where appropriate, a volunteer lawyer to give detailed support; plus identifying a suitable professional individual or facility for treatment, where necessary.
By agreement with the Law Society of Northern Ireland, LawCare took on responsibility for pastoral care for Solicitors in the Province.
New literature was written to aid callers to the helpline who were suffering from financial problems and, also, those caring for an alcoholic loved one.
There were 76,500 hits on the LawCare website during the year, demonstrating that LawCare not only assists by personal contact (the helpline and preventative education courses), but also through the materials available on the website. Each hit lasted an average of nine minutes.
Preventative education presentations, seminars and workshops were given to legal groups across the UK, ranging from conferences to local law societies; from firms to special interest groups; from chambers to law students. During 2005, LawCare reached 3,458 lawyers by this means. These courses were on the subject of stress and the problems it can lead to, particularly in relation to increased drinking. The presentations facilitated the individual lawyer recognising the signs of stress in him/herself and others, and made suggestions for some tools for managing the problems of life in practise.

4. Operations

LawCare offers its support service to lawyers through freephone telephone helplines.

For Solicitors and Legal Executives in England and Wales 0800 279 6888

For Solicitors in Scotland and Northern Ireland 0800 279 6869

For Judges in England and Wales and Northern Ireland 0800 018 4299

For Barristers in England and Wales 0800 018 4299