Authoritarianism and the Rule of Law: A UK Perspective

Explore the relationship between authoritarianism, the rule of law, and the role of lawyers in the UK and beyond.

The Legal Professions Research Group and the Centre for Innovation and Research in Criminological and Legal Education at the University of Leeds invite you to a timely and interdisciplinary workshop exploring the relationship between authoritarianism, the rule of law, and the role of lawyers in the UK and beyond.

This event brings together leading UK and international scholars to examine the causes and trajectories of right-wing populism and authoritarianism, their impact on legal institutions and rights, and the challenges these forces pose.

Why attend?

• Hear from eminent international scholars and the latest academic research on protest rights, the penal state, SLAPPs, legal ethics, ‘democratic backsliding’, the rise of ethno-nationalist populism and authoritarian legality 
• Take part in a high-level concluding discussion featuring international scholars and experts
• Network with academics and practitioners across law, politics, and socio-legal studies
• Attend either in person or online (unlimited places available via Microsoft Teams)

Speakers and papers

• Stuart MacAnulla (Leeds) – The meaning of authoritarianism; causality; ideological underpinnings; UK culture wars and the rise of the right
• James Greenwood-Reeves (Leeds) – Suppression of protest rights and the proscription of Palestine Action
• Valeria Ruiz-Perez (Nottingham) – The Penal State: Law and Authoritarianism in Britain
• Rebecca Moosavian (Leeds) – SLAPPs and the chilling effect on civil rights
• Jo Wilding (Sussex) – Justice chauvinism and the rule of law
• Ayesha Riaz (Greenwich) – Publicly funded asylum solicitors and ethical obligations in a changing legal aid system (2010–2024)
• Leigh Rice (Leeds) – Impact on DEI in large law firms
• Hilary Sommerlad (Leeds) – De-professionalisation of human rights lawyering
• Alex Batesmith (Leeds) & Kieran McEvoy (Queen’s University Belfast) – From Cause Lawyering to Denialism: Law, Truth, and Resistance in Authoritarian and Post-Truth Contexts
• Mayur Suresh (SOAS) – The social life of authoritarian legality
• Agnieszka Kubal (Oxford) – Human rights lawyers in Russia
• Rick Abel (UCLA, online) – Reflections on Trump and the rule of law
• Scott Cummings (UCLA, in person) – Democratic backsliding and resistance

Tickets

• In-person attendance: Limited to 30 places
• Online attendance: Unlimited (Microsoft Teams)
• Cost: Free
• Register here

In-person ticket includes:

• Refreshments throughout the day
• Lunch
• Wine reception (18:00–19:30)

Online attendees: All registered participants will receive joining instructions after signing up.

ECR & PGR Travel Bursaries
We particularly welcome early career researchers (ECRs) and postgraduate researchers (PGRs).
A small number of UK travel bursaries are available (towards a return second-class rail fare to Leeds).

To apply, please answer the relevant question when registering for a ticket and provide the following:

• Estimated travel cost
• Short note explaining your interest

You must make your application by Friday 12 June 2026.
Successful applicants will be notified by 17 June 2026.
Bursaries will be awarded on the basis of merit and need.

We look forward to welcoming you to Leeds – or online – for what promises to be a stimulating and important discussion.

Professor Hilary Sommerlad and Alex Batesmith
Co-Directors, Legal Professions Research Group