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Now is your time to learn, advance, and develop with the UK’s top brain and spinal injury networks

EARLY BIRD RATES AVAILABLE - PLACES LIMITED

Date Wednesday, 13 - 15 May
Attendance In-person or virtual
Venue Leonardo Hotel and Conference Venue Hinckley Island in Hinckley

Advanced Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Conference Highlights

Designed for practitioners handling serious injury claims, this immersive two-day conference delivers essential medical and legal insight to help you run stronger brain and spinal cord injury cases and achieve the best possible outcomes for clients.

Renowned medical consultants, expert witnesses, and leading practitioners will collaborate to deliver a comprehensive programme, offering invaluable insights into brain and spinal cord injury cases.

  • The premier event in the sector for learning the latest trends in brain and spinal cord injury cases
  • Meticulously designed two-day programme, developed by a panel of brain and spinal cord injury specialists
  • Renowned speakers and industry experts offering valuable insights and practical strategies
  • Hosted in a luxurious hotel, providing an exceptional in-person experience
  • Virtual delegate options available through a top-tier desktop and mobile app
  • Engaging and enjoyable networking opportunities to support the conference, including welcome reception and dinner dance
  • Network with passionate professionals dedicated to supporting individuals with injuries
  • Explore a wide range of leading suppliers in the sector, all gathered in one location
  • Fully accredited by APIL
Book your place at ABSCI 2026

Residential places are limited - early booking advised

Catastrophic Injury Flagship Conference
The Conference

Programme

Thursday, 14 May 2026

Time Session Speakers
8.45am - 9.30am Registration and refreshments  
9.30am - 9.35am Welcome to the conference Suzanne Trask, Joint APIL Vice-President
9.35am - 10.25am Resolving Without the Courtroom: ADR in Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Cases
Strategic approaches to ADR
Key practical considerations
Effective tactics in mediation
Emerging themes and trends
Addressing and responding to letters of challenge
Chaired by Paul Balen

Chaired by: Paul Balen, Trust Mediation

Panellists: Matthew Stockwell, Exchange Chambers
Laura Johnson, Deka Chambers
Frances McCarthy, Pattinson & Brewer
10.25am - 11.15am Mobility equipment for incomplete spinal cord injury and complex injuries
Pathways to making a claim
Demonstrating client need
Justifying equipment provision
Adaptations and innovations
Case studies		 Laura Bochkoltz, Laura Bochkoltz and Associates
Bruno Gil, Old Square Chambers
11.15am - 11.45am Mid-morning break  
11.45am - 12.15pm AGM APIL officers
12.15pm - 1.00pm Panel session: Cauda Equina Syndrome
Key challenges in CES cases
Avoiding common pitfalls
Symptoms and imaging correlation
Traumatic cauda equina
Not solely clinical negligence focused
Chaired by Rob Horner, Deka Chambers

Chaired by: Robert Horner, Barrister, Deka Chambers

Panelllists:Alex Dabek, BBK
Matthew Newton-Ede, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham
Dr David Wilson, Oxford
1.00pm - 2.00pm Lunch break  
2.00pm - 2.05pm Welcome back Jessica Bowles, Joint Coordinator of APIL's SCI SIG, Irwin Mitchell LLP
2.05pm - 2.50pm The benefits of obtaining enhanced imaging
3T MR scans
White matter tracts
Challenges and limitations
Behavioural changes and symptoms		 Professor David Sharp, Neurologist
2.50pm - 3.30pm Challenges of obtaining evidence on mild TBI
Evidence collection
Case preparation
Common pitfalls		 William Chapman, 7BR
3.30pm - 4.00pm Mid-afternoon break  
4.00pm - 5.00pm Mock cross examination: Care
Advanced level
Quantum issues
Based on anonymised reports

Chair: Ben Bradley KC, Outer Temple Chambers

Panellists: To be confirmed
5.00pm Close of day one  
7.30pm - 8.15pm Drinks reception  
8.15pm - 1.00am Dinner dance  

Friday, 15 May 2026

Time Session Speakers
9.00am - 9.30am Registration and refreshments  
9.30am - 9.35am Welcome to day two Victoria Oliver, Joint Coordinator of APIL's SCI SIG
9.35am - 10.20am Panel session: The client’s journey
Successes and failures
Highs and lows
Client care and support

Allison Whitehorn, CESCI

Other panellists to be confirmed
10.20am - 11.00am Women’s sexual health
SCI and TBI focus
Fertility
Hidden costs
Quantum		 Nicola Greaney, 39 Essex Street
11.00am - 11.30am Mid-morning break  
11.30am - 11.35am Welcome back Kelly Lingard, Irwin Mitchell LLP
11.35am - 12.15pm Provisional damages and PPOs
Tactical considerations
Discount rate impact
Client security		 Steven Snowden KC, 12KBW
Ed Tomlinson, Shackleton
12.15pm - 1.00pm Artificial intelligence
Disclosure
Confidentiality
Ethics and risks		 Georgia Briscoe, Managing Director, Medical Law Services
1.00pm - 2.00pm JPIL case and comment
Sponsored by Thomson Reuters		 Brett Dixon
John McQuater
Rachael Mulheron
Nathan Tavares KC
2.00pm Close of conference  
2.00pm - 2.45pm Choice of sit-down or take-away lunch  

The programme is correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change

SPEAKERS

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SPONSORS

EXHIBITION

EXHIBITION AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
NOW AVAILABLE!

 

"It was a great conference and one that we would like to support and exhibit at again next year"

"Thanks for the well organised event. We come away with a lot of new contacts, so was a success from our
point of view."

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PRICES

Residential

From £800 + VAT

Non-residential

From £360 + VAT

Virtual

From £720 + VAT

Book now

TESTIMONIALS

"Had a fantastic time, great networking and had a fantastic time within the sessions."

"Really well run conference. Informative talks, pitched well and session times were good."

We are here to help

Our events teams are here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need a little help.

Delegate enquiries

 0115 943 5435

Advertising enquiries

 0115 943 5407
ABSCI26