These included the need for cooperation between different legal systems, the need to bring Russian legislation in line with international standards for protecting the interests of entrepreneurs, and the development of legal education in Russia and elsewhere.

Lodder, who led the Bar Council’s delegation, spoke on the challenges posed by the fight against terrorism and corruption. Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing initiatives operated under a complex legal framework and there was a need to make laws clear and simply expressed if they were to be effective, he said.

He praised Russia for recently passing legislation criminalising foreign bribery, and noted the Bribery Act would shortly come into force in the UK.