CLSA Conference and AGM Friday 3rd October 2025

CLSA Annual Conference & AGM

In a city where music shaped a generation and courtrooms have shaped the law, we gather to explore what lies ahead for criminal justice.

This year’s CLSA Conference carries the unmistakable rhythm of Manchester, a city built on reinvention, resistance and resonance.

Titled in homage to Oasis “Don’t Look Back in Anger” invites us to reflect with clarity but face forward with purpose. From AI to teenage crime, advances in evidence to social media’s influence on justice – the future is now, and it’s happening faster than a cannonball.

When? Friday 3 October 2024, 09:30 – 16:30

Where? Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Oxford Street, Manchester, M60 7HA

Cost? Members: £120, Non-Members: £180, NQ (less than 1 year): £30, Law Students: £12

Special early-bird discount is available until 1st September.

Discounted rates are also available for law firms bringing more than 3 delegates. Please email [email protected] for further information.

Confirmed Speakers:

• Sir Brian Leveson
• Mary Prior KC, Barrister & Head of 36 Crime
• Daniel Bonich, CLSA Chair
• Mark Evans, Law Society Vice President “The Road Ahead with your Future Law Society President”
• Sarah Myatt, Criminal Defence Solicitor at Switalskis "Against the Odds: Lessons from the Peter Sullivan Appeal"
• Abigail Rolling, Criminal Defence Solicitor, Comedian & Writer Laughing at the Law: The Hilarious & Harrowing World of Justice
• Joanna Hardy-Susskind, Leading Criminal Barrister at Red Lion Chambers "Trial by Media: Criminal Justice in the Age of Social Media"

• Ross Donnelly, Keith Borer Consultants “Definitely, Maybe, Not There: Something from Nothing in Forensic Evidence”
• Dr Louise Bowers, The Forensic Psychologist "Inside the Adolescent Mind: The Role of the Forensic Psychologist"
• Geoff Davies, Business-Led AI Specialist at Pivotal Edge "AI in Action: Practical Tools for the Modern Criminal Lawyer”

Our Partner Sponsor

We’re delighted to welcome as the Headline Sponsor of this year’s CLSA Annual Conference.

Designed by Adam Makepeace in collaboration with Rock MS and the firms they manage, Bedrock is a case management system built specifically for criminal law. From seamless legal aid workflows to offline attendance notes and direct downloads from Common Platform, Bedrock delivers powerful, purpose-built tools for your practice - all with fully integrated financials.

See Bedrock Case Management in action on 3 October in Manchester and find out more about them here.

The Exhibition Zone at the CLSA Conference is your opportunity to learn about products and services for criminal lawyers - and to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Exhibitors include:

• Bedrock Case Management
• Keith Borer Forensic Consultants
• Thomson Reuters
• Carter Brown
• Wavenet

…news of more exhibitors to follow.

Are you a legal sector supplier? Get in touch to find out more about supporting our conference with opportunities to exhibit and advertise.

Why Attend?

Join us to elevate your practice and stay ahead of the curve in today’s ever-evolving legal arena. This year’s event is a full schedule packed with interesting talks, insightful discussions and time for re-connecting with your fellow criminal law practitioners from across the UK.

Further keynote speakers and sessions will be confirmed soon. Please connect with us on LinkedIn, Bluesky and ‘X’ to be kept up to date.

A special early-bird discount is available until 1st September. This gives CLSA members £25 off their ticket price. This discount will automatically be applied when booking. We have a limited number of tickets at a heavily discounted rate for newly qualified solicitors, trainees and law students.

We look forward to seeing you on the 3rd October!

For more information on the conference please email [email protected]

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Oxford Street, Manchester, United Kingdom