The London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association (LCCSA) has lodged an official complaint over ‘genuinely disturbing’ treatment of lawyers by security staff at Stratford Magistrates’ Court.

In a letter to the head of security at HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), LCCSA catalogues a series of ‘extremely concerning’ reports of ‘enhanced’ searches taking place on days when protest-related cases are being heard at the court. The most serious allegation is of a woman solicitor was subjected to a pat-down search by security staff who put their hands inside the neckline of her dress, patted down the sides and in between her breasts, and felt her leg ‘under her dress up to her inner thigh’.

Other complaints from LCCSA members include: security staff checking inside the mouth of a male solicitor, who was also asked to remove his shoes; inspection of privileged legal documents; confiscation of harmless personal items such as make-up compacts; and requiring solicitors to test spray themselves with any perfume in their possession.

LCCSA claims that in January, a woman solicitor was forcibly ejected from the court building after she called one of four security staff dealing with her an ‘idiot’. She then had her lunch thrown onto the pavement and was denied re-entry, despite appearing as duty solicitor that day. ‘We understand that this incident was also reported to the police,’ said LCCSA.

The HMCTS Twitter/X account acknowledged receipt of LCCSA’s letter and gave an assurance that ‘a comprehensive investigation will be undertaken’.

Anna Soubry, a criminal barrister and former Conservative minister, described LCCSA’s complaint as ‘serious’, adding: ‘I hope these unnecessary and intrusive searches stop.’