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Publication 02 Jul 2025 · United Kingdom

Protection from protests

CMS toolkit series

2 min read

This is the season of protest. Protest on the streets, protest online, even litigation used as a vehicle for protest.

Protestors targeting a business may be standing in a crowd, holding a placard or shouting slogans. But in 2022 they may also be behind a computer screen or pursuing a claim against the business through the courts. They may even be working inside the business, preparing to compromise its systems or leak confidential information.

Whether they are activists, employees or customers, all these protestors may present a substantial challenge and a real threat to businesses, in areas including its security, reputation and bottom line.

In this briefing note we discuss:

  1. Physical protests outside or on business premises which may involve trespass, harassment and/or physical disruption.
  2. Protests that use social media to attack or harass a business.
  3. Protests that use litigation as a vehicle to attack a business, to ventilate issues and cause difficulty.
  4. Protests by individual employees, such as leaks.

In each case we outline practical plans for risk mitigation and explain what can be done when a business is targeted by a protest.

Protection from protests

This video series offers an updated overview of the evolving legal framework businesses face regarding protests. It highlights recent developments, such as the Public Order Act 2023, and provides expert guidance on steps companies can take to effectively mitigate risks from disruptive demonstrations.

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