When you are worried about your safety, it is natural to want clear reassurance that someone is taking responsibility. Sending an email to your solicitor explaining the urgency — and asking them to contact the police — can feel like the right step. However, it is important to understand what this does and does not achieve, and what action you should take yourself.
Clarity at this point can help protect you and avoid dangerous misunderstandings.
Understanding the issue or context
Solicitors can advise, write letters, and contact authorities on your behalf, but they are not emergency services. In situations involving immediate risk, relying solely on a solicitor to act can unintentionally delay protection.
People sometimes assume that once a solicitor is informed, responsibility for safety transfers to them. In reality, personal safety and emergency protection operate under different rules.
The legal rules or framework
Under UK law, solicitors do not assume legal responsibility for a client’s physical safety simply because they are instructed or informed of a risk.
Key points to understand:
- A solicitor’s role is to provide legal advice and take legal steps
- They are not a substitute for the police or emergency services
- They are not legally accountable for preventing harm in real time
- The police are responsible for immediate safeguarding and intervention
If there is a credible or immediate risk, the correct authority is the police — regardless of whether a solicitor has been contacted.
Practical steps to take
If you are concerned about your safety, the following steps are important:
- Contact the police directly if you are at risk
Do not wait for a solicitor to do this on your behalf. - Use emergency services if there is immediate danger
Call 999 if you are in urgent fear for your safety. - Inform your solicitor of what action you have taken
This allows them to support you legally with accurate information. - Keep written records
Save emails, messages, and any threats or incidents. - Ask your solicitor about protective legal options
This may include non-molestation orders or other court protections. - Seek clarity, not transfer of responsibility
Your solicitor can assist, but they cannot replace emergency action.
Common pitfalls to avoid
In stressful situations, people sometimes:
- Assume a solicitor is responsible for immediate protection
- Delay contacting the police while waiting for legal correspondence
- Rely on email communication during urgent situations
- Believe legal action alone will prevent immediate harm
Understanding the limits of each role helps ensure you stay protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my solicitor legally responsible for my safety?
No. Solicitors provide legal services but are not responsible for physical protection.
Should I still tell my solicitor what is happening?
Yes. Keeping them informed helps them advise and act appropriately.
What if I am waiting for my solicitor to contact the police?
You should contact the police yourself if there is any risk.
Can my solicitor contact the police for me?
They can, but this should not replace your own contact in urgent situations.
Does contacting the police affect my legal case?
Usually no. It often supports safeguarding and legal protection.
What if I am unsure whether the risk is immediate?
If in doubt, it is safer to contact the police and explain the situation.
Conclusion
If you’d like to understand your rights and options in plain English, visit LegalGuidance.org — a free resource powered by Martin Taggart Legal Consulting.
For professional, fixed-fee advice from a UK solicitor, visit MartinTaggart.com.
This information is general guidance only and not legal advice. For personalised support, please contact Martin Taggart Legal Consulting.