In the UK, Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill has voiced significant security concerns regarding proposed judicial reforms by Justice Secretary David Lammy. These reforms suggest replacing jury trials with judge-only hearings for defendants facing up to three years of imprisonment, aimed at addressing a backlog in the criminal court system. Baroness Carr highlighted that the limited environment of judges working predominantly in one center could pose security threats, drawing attention to both physical and online bullying, especially regarding increasing social media abuse targeting judges. She emphasized that, while the reforms are intended to alleviate pressure from a record number of pending cases, they also could compromise the safety of judges. Baroness Carr pointed out that many judges frequently confront threats, exacerbated in the current climate where public discourse towards the judiciary has become increasingly hostile. She suggested that the government must adequately address judicial security, referencing Canada’s robust measures as a model for improvement. The concerns from judiciary leaders come amidst a wider context of increasing violent threats towards judges, noted especially during a forum featuring federal judges in the United States. They reported a disturbing rise in threats, attributing part of this hostility to criticisms from public figures including former President Donald Trump. The climate of fear among judges has been amplified by social media, where abusive comments are common and often take on a racist and misogynistic tone. This hostile environment has made it incredibly difficult for judges to operate independently and without fear for their personal safety. Judges like Ana Reyes noted that any judge issuing high-profile opinions faces constant threats. They have called for better understanding of the judicial system among the public and criticized the media for perpetuating hostility through biased reporting on judicial rulings. In response to the rising threats, judges argue that educational efforts are essential to foster respect and protect the rule of law while addressing concerns about security effectively.