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01 October 2025
Issue: 8133 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , International , Health & safety
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Bar chair highlights increasingly hostile environment for lawyers

Barristers have been targeted with death threats, rape threats, threats to their family members, physical surveillance and threats from politicians, chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC has reported

Lawyers’ organisations from around the world gathered in London this week to discuss dangers facing the legal profession. The event, hosted by the Bar Council and Law Society to mark the beginning of the legal year, featured speeches from the presidents of the Istanbul and American Bar Associations, Law Society of Zimbabwe and the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific.

Mills said: ‘There are patterns of intimidation that show we are facing an increasing hostile environment for lawyers globally.

‘That's why we are now focused on the safety and protection of lawyers at this year's Bar leaders’ event. Bar and Law Society leaders are coming together to share experiences, to learn from each other and to offer support that is coordinated across jurisdictions.’

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