Abuse Conference 2025 - Held in Association with ACAL

HYBRID CONFERENCE

(Attend in person, or virtually via the APIL app)

"Couldn't choose most enjoyable session - all of them excellent!"

"I think this was one of the best conferences for the last few years."

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Friday, 20 June 2025

Marriott Marble Arch Hotel in London

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Conference Highlights

"Well organised and well structured event with engaging and informative speakers"

APIL is thrilled to return to the elegant Marriott Marble Arch Hotel in London for the 17th Annual Abuse Conference, proudly held in partnership with ACAL.

This year’s event will be hybrid, offering delegates the flexibility to attend either in person or virtually via the APIL app. Whether you join us on-site or online, you'll enjoy full access to the conference recording — available on demand for six months after the event.

What to expect:
An insightful, expertly curated programme covering key developments, emerging challenges, and best practices in the field of abuse law. This is an unmissable opportunity to stay informed, connect with peers, and gain practical knowledge to support your work.

The day will cover:

The Hydrant Programme: An update on the national policing response to non-recent child sexual abuse
Practical Strategies for Practice: Essential tips for managing complex abuse cases
Psychiatric Injury & Causation: Navigating the challenges of attribution in legal claims
Legal Update: The latest developments and case law in the field of abuse litigation
Mandatory Reporting: Legal obligations and implications for practitioners
Trauma-Informed Lawyering: Applying a sensitive, survivor-centred approach in your legal practice

Richard Sweetman

Richard Sweetman, Joint Coordinator of APIL’s Abuse SIG, Irwin Mitchell LLP, Birmingham says:

"I am really pleased to say that the Abuse Conference 2025 agenda is once again packed with a diverse range of speakers, who are all expertly knowledgeable in their fields of specialism. I am really looking forward to the mixture of both legal and practical updates, as well sessions focussing on client care, which I hope will assist delegates in continuing to provide boundary pushing legal expertise and support to all of our clients. For those attending in person, it is always such a great opportunity to catch up and network with other practitioners in this area of law!"

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Programme

9:00am – 9:30am	Registration and refreshments
9:30am – 9:35am	Welcome to the conference Morning Chair: Richard Sweetman, Joint Coordinator of APIL’s Abuse SIG, Irwin Mitchell LLP, Birmingham
9:35am – 10:25am	Keynote address Speaker: TBC
10:25am – 11:10am	Hydrant programme Speaker: Richard Fewkes, Director of the National Police Chiefs Council Hydrant Programme, Sheffield
11:10am – 11:40am	Refreshment break
11:40am – 12:20pm	Practical tips Expert evidence Speaker: Nina Ross, Barrister, 12KBW, London
12:20pm – 1:00pm	Attribution of psychiatric injury and causation Speaker: Dr Alexandra Getz, Consultant Psychiatrist at Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust, London
1:00pm – 2:00pm	Lunch break
2:00pm – 2:05pm	Welcome back Afternoon Chair: Rebecca Sheriff, Joint Coordinator of APIL’s Abuse SIG, Bolt Burdon Kemp, London
2:05pm – 2:50pm	Legal update Including quantum update re PSLA Speaker: Justin Levinson, Barrister, One Crown Office Row, London
2:50pm – 3:10pm	Refreshment break
3:10pm – 3:50pm	Mandatory reporting Speaker: Jonathan West, Director of Mandate Now
3:50pm – 4:40pm	Trauma informed lawyering Speaker: Dr Nikki Godden-Rasul, Lecturer in Law, Newcastle Law School
4:40pm – 4:45pm	Closing comments Speaker: Rebecca Sheriff, Joint Coordinator of APIL’s Abuse SIG, Bolt Burdon Kemp, London
4:45pm	Close of conference