Experts are set to examine some of the most pressing issues facing the legal sector at the Bar Council’s annual conference.
Kicking off Bar Conference will be the new Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Norris MP who will give a keynote speech. Other speeches will be given by Bar Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC and barrister, author and broadcaster Robert Rinder MBE.
‘Ten ways to get ahead with AI’ is a practical and global dive into AI. Speakers keeping everyone sharp include Saara Idelbi, who will give practical AI tips and Dr. Kamel El Hilali, UNESCO specialist in AI and the rule of law. The Chair of the Young Barristers’ Committee Amelia Clegg will bring forward the impact on the barristers of the now and future.
World leading forensic scientist Professor Lady Sue Black and author John Hyde will examine controversy surrounding expert witnesses as seen in the Post Office/Horizon, and in the cases of Sally Clark and Angela Cannings, both of whom were wrongfully convicted of killing their respective children.
As pressure continues to mount on the crumbling system, Mr Justice Nicklin, Lucy Reed KC and journalist Tristan Kirk will discuss the difficulty between balancing open with swift justice and the Lady Chief Justice and a panel of judges, from family to the European Court of Human Rights, will discuss the current challenges facing justice from the Bench’s point of view.
The climate now affects legal decision making across dozens of legal sectors. The Chief Executive of WWF Tanya Steele CBE, Lord Carnwath of Notting Hill CVO and Estelle Dehon OBE KC will examine climate literacy and what this means in practice.
One year on from the review into bullying and harassment by Baroness Harriet Harman KC, the BBC’s Geeta Guru-Murthy will explore the current landscape, progress and opportunities with panellists including the Bar’s first Commissioner for Conduct Dame Maria Miller DBE and Lead Judge for Diversity and Inclusion Lady Justice Whipple.
Bar Council Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC said: “This year the Bar Conference is bringing together the rockstars of the courts, the screen and the international stage.
“We’ll be discussing some of the most pressing justice and legal issues of the day, exploring cutting edge perspectives whether that be on AI, climate literacy, expert witnesses and open justice and forging connections across the Bar and beyond.
“Come and join us – tickets are selling fast so grab your ticket today.”