The Bar Council of England and Wales supports the recent statement issued by the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) on the protection of international law and justice.
Chair of the Bar Kirsty Brimelow KC said: "I support the CCBE's efforts to bring the European legal profession together to defend the international rule of law, and the Bar Council joins in promoting and protecting the rule of law and justice nationally and internationally.
"We stand in defence of our colleagues who are threatened simply for doing their job. We must work collaboratively to restore the global justice system and champion the benefits for all."
At a time of increasing global instability and pressure on international legal institutions, the CCBE has rightly emphasised that international law is not optional - it is fundamental to the maintenance of peace, justice and cooperation between states.
The Bar Council is concerned at the attempts to undermine international courts and those who work within them, including judges, prosecutors and lawyers.
The international rule of law is vital because it underpins the peaceful resolution of disputes, the protection of universal human rights, and accountability for serious violations of international law. When it is weakened, the consequences affect everyone.
The Bar Council is committed to upholding the rule of law at both at home and abroad. This includes our ongoing work to support the development and application of public international law, engagement with the diplomatic community, and promoting the role of legal professionals in international justice.
Our commitment to the rule of law is reflected in our current work including:
Co-hosting the annual Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen International Law Lecture with the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS and the Westminster United Nations Association on Monday 20 April. This year the topic of the lecture is: Toppling Heads? Regime Change and Immunity in International Law - exploring the legal boundaries of regime change and State immunity.
Ukraine law day returns this year with a focus on accountability for war crimes, civil and international law mechanisms for addressing war-related losses, and the legal framework supporting the rebuilding of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure amidst ongoing attacks. The one-day conference brings together barristers, policymakers and experts from the UK and Ukraine. It will also explore the role of English law in dispute resolution clauses in investment and construction contracts, and the interplay between English and Ukrainian law in family matters. We host the Ukraine law day in London on Wednesday 29 April in partnership with the Ukrainian Bar Association and Spilka.
In February 2026, we collaborated with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to host the Counsel of nations event, bringing together members of the diplomatic community, government lawyers and leading practitioners in public and international law. The event helped to highlight the role of barristers in representing States and contributing to the development of international law.
These initiatives reflect our commitment to ensuring that legal professionals are equipped to defend and advance the international rule of law in practice.
An independent legal profession and judiciary are essential to the effective functioning of international justice. Lawyers must be able to advise and represent clients without fear of attack, interference or reprisals.
The Bar Council supports call for governments and institutions to reaffirm their commitment to international law, respect judicial independence, and ensure full compliance with legal obligations.
The defence of international law is a shared responsibility. The legal profession has a critical role to play in championing the importance of the international rule of law.