Vulnerable clients

There are a number of factors which may make a client vulnerable and which may have implications for how you manage their case. Issues related to the protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act 2010 which may make a client vulnerable include questions of race; gender; disability (for example, clients with physical or mental health issues which may impact upon their ability to undertake litigation activities); age; pregnancy/maternity; religion; and gender (for example, clients undergoing transition (which may involve frequent visits to hospital or other medical appointments). 

Other relevant factors to consider in relation to the vulnerability of a client include: low levels of literacy; addiction issues; vulnerability or trauma arising from the matter at issue (e.g. the matter involves a serious crime such as serious assaults or sexual offences perpetrated against the client).