APIL Abuse Conference 2026

An unmissable day of expert insight, practical learning, and meaningful networking for abuse lawyers

Date Friday, 19 June 2026
Attendance In-person or virtual

Abuse Conference Highlights

Kindly sponsored by Medical Expert Chambers

Designed for practitioners working on abuse and safeguarding claims, APIL’s 18th Annual Abuse Conference delivers authoritative legal insight, practical guidance, and expert analysis to support the effective handling of complex abuse cases. The conference returns to the prestigious Marriott Marble Arch Hotel in London, in partnership with ACAL.

Leading practitioners and subject-matter experts will present a carefully curated programme exploring key developments, emerging challenges, and best practice in abuse law.

Why attend?

This conference is designed specifically for professionals working on abuse and safeguarding claims, offering practical guidance and expert-led analysis to support your most complex cases.

You’ll benefit from:

  • Insightful sessions from leading legal experts
  • Practical strategies for handling abuse claims
  • Updates on key legal developments and case law
  • Flexible attendance, with on-demand access for six months
  • Valuable networking opportunities with peers in the field

Key topics include:

  • Keynote address from the lawyers involved in the Gisele Pelicot case
  • Law reform and public enquiries
  • Bringing cases against abusers - practical enforcement tips
  • Fixed Recoverable Costs
  • The impact of abuse on education
  • Online and image-based abuse, including coercive control
  • Comprehensive legal updates 

Who should attend?

This event is ideal for claimant lawyers, barristers, and professionals specialising in abuse litigation who want to stay ahead of developments and enhance their practice.

Book your place at the APIL Abuse Conference 2026

In-person places are limited - early booking advised

Abuse Flagship Conference
The Conference

Programme

9:00am – 9:30am

Registration and refreshments

9:30am – 9:35am

Welcome to the conference
Morning Chair: Kim Harrison, Past APIL President, Slater + Gordon Lawyers, Manchester 

9:35am – 10:15am

Keynote address: Lessons from the Gisèle Pelicot case
Speakers: Antoine Camus, Lerins, Paris
Stéphane Babonneau, Criminal Defence Lawyer, Babonneau & Associates, Paris

10:15am – 11:15am

Law reform and enquiries 
Speakers: Richard Scorer, Slater + Gordon Lawyers, Manchester
Malcolm Johnson, Lime Solicitors, London

11:15am – 11:45am

Refreshment break

11:45am – 12:30pm

Bringing cases against abusers in person - practical tips and enforcement
Speakers: Abbie Hickson, Senior Associate, Bolt Burdon Kemp, London
Sam Edwards, Costs Lawyer, Bolt Burdon Kemp, London

12:30pm – 1:00pm

Fixed Recoverable Costs 
Speaker: John McQuater APIL Executive Committee member, Switalskis Solicitors, Doncaster

1:00pm – 2:00pm

Lunch break

2:00pm – 2:05pm

Welcome back
Afternoon Chair: Richard Sweetman, Joint Abuse SIG Coordinator, Irwin Mitchell LLP, Birmingham 

2:05pm – 2:50pm

The impact of abuse on education 
Speaker: Dr Irene Broadley-Westerduin, Chartered and Educational Psychologist, Southampton

2:50pm – 3:10pm

Refreshment break

3:10pm – 3:55pm

Online and image-based abuse
Speaker: Nina Ross, 12KBW, London

3:55pm – 4:40pm

Legal update 
Speaker: Justin Levinson, Barrister, 1 COR, London 

4:40pm – 4:45pm

Closing comments
Speaker: Richard Sweetman, Joint Abuse SIG Coordinator, Irwin Mitchell LLP, Birmingham

4:45pm

Close of conference

PRICES

In-person

From £360 + VAT

Virtual

From £360 + VAT

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TESTIMONIALS

"Couldn't choose most enjoyable session - all of them excellent! I think this was one of the best conferences for the last few years."
2024 delegate

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Hear from the planning committee:

Richard Sweetman

"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!" 

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

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