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UU����ֱ�� was delighted to host an engaging webinar “The Rule of Law: what will it look like in 20 years’ time?” on Tuesday 25 February 2025 on behalf of the During this event, a distinguished panel of experts explored the future of law over the next two decades. We were pleased to welcome:

• Senior Fellow at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and former Judge of the Supreme Court in Ukraine.
• multi-award winning human rights barrister at One Pump Court Chambers and professor of Practice in Modern Slavery Law at King’s College London.
• Rule of Law Director, International Justice Development with over 20 years of experience, known for handling major terrorism cases and establishing the CPS's International Division. He also holds roles such as senator of the International Association of Prosecutors and member of the UK's Soft Power Council.
• Partner at Brown Rudnick with expertise in complex banking and finance disputes, including property acquisition finance.

I had the privilege of moderating the panel in my role as General Counsel of Global Nexis Solutions and Executive Sponsor of Rule of Law at UU����ֱ�� UK.

This event ran in close alignment with the which this year asks: “What will be the challenges to the rule of law in the next twenty years?”. It provided an excellent opportunity for participants to gain insights and inspiration for their submissions.

Current state of the rule of law

Patrick Stevens opened the panel discussion by addressing the current state of the rule of law, highlighting that while the UK has a functioning legal system, it faces significant challenges, including underfunding of the justice system and political influence.

He emphasised the crucial role that political will and culture play in upholding the rule of law, pointing to recent developments in the United States where FBI investigators and Department of Justice prosecutors have been removed from their positions, while those involved in the January 6th investigation are facing misconduct charges.

He also referenced global examples, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the conflicts in Gaza and Sudan to illustrate how the state of the rule of law can be dramatically altered in different parts of the world.

“What will it look like in 20 years’ time? Well…you can't say what it's going to look like in 20 �岹���’ time. So, you can't definitely say what it's going to look like in 20 years’ time. But… I think it will be what we allow it to be because the rule of law (and therefore the answer to the question) is intrinsically tied up with our politics.”

Impact of War

Professor Tetyana Antsupova discussed the importance of the rule of law, particularly in the context of Ukraine's ongoing war. She highlighted how the war challenges not only Ukraine but also global stability, including the impact on food security, energy, and economies.

She pointed out the judiciary's key role in preserving justice, especially in times of crisis, while pointing out the threats of populism, political interference, and ethical dilemmas faced by judges.

Antsupova also noted how technological advancements, such as AI-driven legal assistance and blockchain, could transform the judiciary.

“Positive changes for the judiciary in the next two decades could be that AI powered legal assistance and automated case management might significantly reduce delays in courts, making justice more efficient and accessible.”

Ultimately, she called for active participation in promoting judicial independence, legal reforms, and accountability, to ensure that the rule of law remains a shared societal priority.

Business and Prosperity

Derval Walsh discussed the relationship between the rule of law, corporate behaviour, and prosperity. He explored the evolving interaction between common law and regulation, using a recent in the motor finance sector as an example of how legal uncertainty can negatively impact businesses.

Walsh highlighted how a strong rule of law is essential for corporate confidence, particularly for multinational companies, and argued that businesses depend on legal predictability to avoid risks like bribery and corruption.

He also emphasised the link between access to justice and economic prosperity, noting that improved legal access has been shown to correlate with higher GDP growth and entrepreneurial activity. Check out these other key resources for research that may be of further interest: a showing the cost-benefit analysis of legal aid, demonstrating that investing in legal aid yields a positive economic return, and the , which correlates a country’s adherence to the rule of law (as measured by the World Justice Project) and its GDP per capita, showing countries with strong rule of law tend to have strong economies.  

In conclusion, Walsh stressed the importance of commitment to the rule of law for fostering a just and prosperous future.

“Now, from my years in legal practice, I can say with a fair degree of conviction that corporate actions are very heavily influenced by the condition of the rule of law in the jurisdictions they are weighing up for investment purposes.”

Human Rights and Legal Advocacy

Professor Parosha Chandran reflected on her time as a practitioner and her journey in human rights law. She discussed the evolution of the right to individual petition, advocating for its broader incorporation into the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). She also emphasised the need for stronger corporate accountability, especially regarding labour rights abuses in supply chains, pointing out weaknesses in existing laws like the UK’s Modern Slavery Act.

“Other countries have developed their laws so much more effectively and prohibitively in terms of corporate strength and might, and the lack of accountability. And so, for those of you interested, please go and have a look at what's been happening in the Dutch system…which enables criminal laws to put directors behind bars for engaging in human rights violations in their supply chain or allowing them to happen.”

She highlighted the importance of using AI in law enforcement to stay ahead of human traffickers and abusers and stressed the need for more support for civil society organisations and NGOs, recognising their crucial role in human rights protection. She also called for greater collaboration among lawyers and better support for legal professionals, particularly in countries with weaker legal protections.

She concluded by emphasising the need for strong moral leadership in all sectors to advance the rule of law.

Throughout the discussion, the panellists explored various aspects of the rule of law, including access to justice, the impact of AI, and the role of international organisations. They concluded that while predicting the future is challenging, a commitment to the rule of law and collaboration across sectors can lead to a more just and prosperous world.

At the end, we had 15 minutes for a Q&A session with the audience. Here are the questions that were addressed:

Q: Would a country such as the UK leaving the European Convention on Human Rights be a backward step in terms of the rule of law?

A: Yes, leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) would be a backward step, said Professor Parosha Chandran. The ECHR is a vital network of countries that holds democratic ideals and accountability as the highest form of governance. These values protect individuals and ensure that states are held accountable for respecting fundamental rights that were shaped after the Second World War.

Q: What concrete steps can lawyers, especially young lawyers, or members of the public take if they're concerned about the status of the rule of law?

A: Professor Parosha Chandran said that for lawyers, join associations like the International Bar Association (or similar networks), attend free online resources or courses, and engage in pro bono work.. She is a co-author of the very comprehensive , with free 13 modules aimed towards all legal professionals.

For the public and students: support NGOs, donate to or volunteer at shelters or organisations dealing with issues like human trafficking, and participate in local elections or policy-making processes. “There is always a place to give help, if you look for it.”

Professor Tetyana Antsupova added that it is important to stay informed, educate others, and use legal mechanisms to uphold fundamental rights. Engage in pro bono work to support vulnerable groups and back organisations offering free legal aid. Participate in elections, vote for committed representatives, and engage in legal reforms.

Q: Does AI pose more of a risk or opportunity in relation to the rule of law?

A: Patrick Stevens commented that while AI enhances the practicality and functionality of certain tasks in covert investigations and electronic surveillance, it doesn't fundamentally transform the justice system or make societies more of a police state.

Stevens highlighted the complexity of balancing privacy and security, citing recent debates in the UK over privacy protections and national security. He emphasised the importance of checks, balances and the rule of law in ensuring fair and scrutinised use of surveillance. Public attitudes towards security measures fluctuate based on recent events, and governments must strive to maintain the right balance between liberty and security.

Professor Parosha Chandran added that while surveillance is used in many countries, it has rarely been effectively applied to human trafficking investigations due to a lack of law enforcement training and resources. AI is rapidly evolving, making it difficult for individuals and states to keep up, and governments must balance surveillance laws with AI-generated data.

She also discussed the ongoing struggle to regulate online child abuse, despite awareness for over two decades. Issues include server companies hosting illegal content, conflicts between privacy and data rights, and challenges with extraterritorial jurisdiction. These complexities will likely increase with AI advancements.

Stevens agreed that AI has been underutilised in human trafficking investigations but attributes this to political priorities rather than technological limitations. Governments have historically deprioritised human trafficking, with Theresa May being the first UK Prime Minister to highlight the issue. However, political debates on migration have since overshadowed efforts to address trafficking, blurring the lines between illegal migration, asylum seekers, and trafficking victims.

Regarding child sexual abuse online, the speaker expresses concern that recent events, particularly in the U.S., make regulatory action less likely, rather than improving efforts to control harmful online content.

Professor Tetyana Antsupova added that she felt AI represented the future for the judiciary. She referenced  a discussion with Sir Geoffrey Vos (the Master of the Rolls and a key advocate for AI in the UK judiciary) who outlined three reasons why lawyers and judges should embrace AI:

1. The people they serve are already using it.
2. AI can make legal services more accessible, affordable, and efficient.
3. AI will play a central role in future legal disputes, both when it is misused and when its use is neglected.

Q: What are the implications of martial law on human rights?

A: Professor Tetyana Antsupova described martial law as often involving restrictions on certain freedoms, such as freedom of movement. In Ukraine, for example, judges can't cross borders for private purposes during martial law. The proportionality of such restrictions should be assessed to ensure they are necessary and not excessive.

You can watch the full webinar here →

For those interested in entering the essay competition, it is open to all law undergraduates studying in the UK and closes by 22 April 2025. The student with the winning essay will be awarded a week’s internship in summer 2025 with law firm Brown Rudnick.

Please find below the list of helpful websites and reports that were mentioned by the panellists during the discussion: