From Brexit to the erosion of US institutional independence, a former Downing Street Chief of Staff, a former Lord Chancellor and a former US Ambassador agreed that the rule of law must now be actively defended — not assumed — at a time when legal institutions face unprecedented political challenge. Against the backdrop of geopolitical instability, growing political polarisation, rapid technological change and increasing challenges to democratic institutions, the future of the rule of law has become one of the most pressing questions confronting governments, businesses and legal practitioners worldwide. These themes took centre stage at London International Disputes Week (LIDW) 2026 during the session titled “The Intersection of Law and Politics — The Rule of Law under Pressure: How do we maintain the Rule of Law and constitutional norms in a world of increasing challenges?”