Programme

 

08.45

Registration desk opens 

 

09:30 - 09:40 

Welcome and opening remarks 

Robert Heslett CBE, CAB Chair 

 

09:40 - 10:20 

What does the future of the SQE look like?

Chair: David Amos, The City Law School, City St George's, University of London 

Speaker: Julie Swan, Solicitors Regulation Authority

This session will cover learning from the delivery of the SQE so far and the development of the training market.

 

10:20 - 11:05 

Views from aspiring lawyers

Chair: Caroline Lister, BPP Law School, BPP University 

Speakers:
Farooq Ahmed, BPP University Law School
Freya Sheldon, BPP University Law School
Sarina Yamahata, BPP University Law School
Bradley Fisher, BCLP 

This session will give us the chance to hear from current and aspiring lawyers about how they have approached their qualification journey, from choosing a course, to planning their work experience to immediate areas for development once qualified.

 

11:05 - 11:35

Coffee break and networking 

 

11:35 - 12:20

Skills to take you into the workplace

Chair: Darren Weir, Kent Law School, University of Kent

Speakers:
Delphine Loo, Singapore Academy of Law
Chris Sykes, Manchester Law School, Manchester Metropolitan University

This session will highlight essential skills in areas like advocacy and negotiation, which aspiring lawyers need to develop to be workplace-ready in 2025, focusing on innovative techniques UK & international educators are using to develop these skills. 

 

12:20 - 13:05 

Wellbeing in legal education and into practice

Chair: Christopher Howard, BARBRI 

Speakers:
Emma Jones, University of Sheffield
Antoinette Moriarty, Law Society of Ireland
Ainslie Wilson-Shearer, Mills & Reeve

This session will draw on the recent Life in the Law 2025 research undertaken by LawCare and the IBA guidelines for wellbeing in legal education to explore how universities and employers can best support the wellbeing needs of new entrants to the legal profession, in particular in smoothing the transition from legal education to legal practice. 

 

13:05 - 14:00 

Lunch and networking 

 

14:00 - 15:00 

Breakout 1: Diversity - different legal routes, different legal careers

Chair: Caroline Gibby, University of Hull

Speakers:
Judith Bourne, CILEX Law School, CILEX
Madeleine Jenness, Association of Costs Lawyers Training / Hook Tangaza
Claire Richardson, Council for Licensed Conveyancers

This session will explore the academic training needs of a number of recognised legal professions in England and Wales and highlight  how employers can demonstrate that they are open to and encourage the development of team members into a range of accessible and rewarding legal professional careers.

 

Breakout 2: Building a local economy – the connections between law schools, employers & graduate success

Chair: Helen Chalk, Manchester Law School, Manchester Metropolitan University

Speakers:
Fiona Anthony, University of East Anglia
Amy Barden & Naomi Newell, Birketts

This session will explore the importance of relationships between law schools, local employers and employer groups in providing legal work for aspiring lawyers to support the effective transition of legal graduates into the local legal community. 

 

Breakout 3: What role for university law clinics?

Speakers:
Denise Bentley, First Love Foundation
Lucy Blackburn, School of Law and Policing, University of Central Lancashire
Omar Madhloom, University of Southampton

This session will consider both the role of law clinics in preparing students for the world of work and their role in helping to address the UK’s access to justice crisis.

 

15:00 - 15:20 

Coffee break and networking 

 

15:20 - 16:05

Supporting international students with graduate employability  

Chair: James Catchpole, The City Law School, City St George's, University of London

Speakers:
David Gee, UWE Bristol
Francesca Sciberras, Laura Devine Immigration

This session will focus on employability challenges, including visas, for international students and graduates, whether they want to stay in the UK or return home.

 

16:05 - 16:50 

Getting a foot on the ladder – the role of work experience

Chair: Alison Hook, Hook Tangaza & CAB

Speakers:
John Cuss, Hudgell Solicitors
Bandy Karki & Nagam Din, Government Legal Department
Laura Pinkney, NLS Legal, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University

This session will focus on how both training providers and employers can help aspiring lawyers get on that all important first step of the work experience ladder.

 

16:50 - 17:00 

Closing remarks

Robert Heslett CBE, CAB Chair 

 

17:00 - 18:00 

Networking drinks