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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.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Kingsley Napley—Kelly Greig & Abbie West-Kelsey

Kingsley Napley—Kelly Greig & Abbie West-Kelsey

Firm strengthens international tax team with partner and tax manager hire

Dawson Cornwell—Russell Bywater

Dawson Cornwell—Russell Bywater

Family law firm appoints new managing partner and head of matrimonial department

Forbes Solicitors—Katy Parkinson & Paul Hatton

Forbes Solicitors—Katy Parkinson & Paul Hatton

Employment and commercial offering strengthened by double hire

NEWS
Counsel for CILEX, for law centres, for the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and for the Law Society laid out their arguments last week in the high-profile Mazur case
Commercial law is changing fast, driven by new technologies and the growing complexity of global markets. The University of Manchester’s LLM in International Commercial and Technology Law brings focus to that shift, highlighting the core areas that now define effective commercial legal work. By exploring corporate governance, data rights, fintech regulation and digital era intellectual property, this course gives professionals the insight they need to make informed, confident decisions in a rapidly evolving landscape
Making refugee status temporary and subject to review every 30 months will put pressure on an ‘already overstretched’ justice system, the Law Society has warned
Statutory limitation periods do not apply to unfair prejudice petitions brought under the Companies Act, the Supreme Court has held in a 4–1 majority decision, Lord Burrows dissenting
A Mental Capacity Act ‘best interests’ analysis must be undertaken for all treatment decisions for incapacitated adults, the Court of Appeal has held
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