Conference header

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

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

Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Time Session Location
7.30pm - 11.00pm 

Informal Welcome Reception

 Lakeside Suite

Thursday, 14 May 2026

Time Session Speakers
8.45am - 9.30am

Registration and refreshment

 Principal sponsor: Helen Clifford Law
Fabric bags kindly sponsored by Deka Chambers
9.30am - 9.35am Welcome to the conference

Morning chair: Suzanne Trask, APIL EC Member, Roydon
9.35am - 10.25am Panel session: Resolving without the courtroom: ADR in personal injury and clinical negligence cases

Chaired by Paul Balen, Trust Mediation Ltd, London

Panellists:  Laura Johnson KC, Deka Chambers, London
Frances McCarthy, Past APIL President, Pattinson & Brewer, London 
Matthew Stockwell, Barrister, Exchange Chambers, Liverpool
10.25am - 11.15am Mobility equipment for incomplete spinal cord injury and complex injuries  Speakers: Laura Bochkoltz, Director and Chartered Physiotherapist,  Laura Bochkoltz and Associates, Princes Risborough
Bruno Gil, Barrister, Old Square Chambers, London  
11.15am - 11.45am Mid-morning break  
11.45am - 12.15pm APIL Annual General Meeting Mike Benner - APIL CEO, Nottingham
Gordon Dalyell - APIL Treasurer, Digby Brown LLP, Edinburgh
Brett Dixon - APIL Secretary, Moncrieff & Associates Ltd, Clitheroe 
Matthew Tuff – Outgoing APIL President, Moore Barlow LLP, Richmond-upon-Thames
12.15pm - 1.00pm Panel session: Cauda Equina Syndrome

Chaired by: Rob Horner, Barrister, Deka Chambers, London

Panellists: Alex Dabek, Member of the Conference Planning Committee, Bolt Burdon Kemp, London
Matthew Newton-Ede, Consultant Spinal Surgeon, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham 
Dr David Wilson, Consultant Musculoskeletal Radiologist, St Luke’s Radiology, Oxford 
1.00pm - 2.00pm Lunch break  
2.00pm - 2.05pm Welcome back Afternoon chair: Jessica Bowles, Member of the Conference Planning Committee and Joint Coordinator of APIL’s Spinal Cord Injury SIG, Irwin Mitchell LLP, London
2.05pm - 2.50pm The benefits of obtaining enhanced imaging Speaker: Professor David Sharp, Professor of Neurology, Imperial College, London
2.50pm - 3.30pm Challenges of obtaining evidence on mild TBI Speaker: William Chapman KC, 7BR, London
3.30pm - 4.00pm Mid-afternoon break  
4.00pm - 5.00pm

Mock cross examination: Care

 Speakers: Ben Bradley KC, Outer Temple Chambers, London
Heidi Stanley, Director and Case Manager, StanleySmith Case Managers, Devon
5.00pm Close of Thursday conference  
7.30pm - 8.15pm Pre-dinner drinks  
8.15pm - 1.00am

Dinner dance
With live entertainment from Steve McGill  

  

Friday, 15 May 2026

Time Session Speakers
9.00am - 9.30am

Registration and refreshments

 Principal sponsor: Helen Clifford Law
9.30am - 9.35am Welcome to day two Chaired by: Victoria Oliver, Member of the Conference Planning Committee and Joint Coordinator of APIL’s Spinal Cord Injury SIG, Bolt Burdon Kemp, London
9.35am - 10.20am

The client’s journey

 Speakers: Allison Whitehorn, CESCI, New Milton 
Ed Ashley Carter, Client of Irwin Mitchell LLP 
10.20am - 11.00am Women’s sexual health

Speaker: Nicola Greaney KC, 39 Essex Street, London
11.00am - 11.30am Mid-morning break  
11.30am - 11.35am Welcome back Afternoon chair: Kelly Lingard, Member of the Conference Planning Committee, Irwin Mitchell LLP, Sheffield  
11.35am - 12.15pm Provisional damages and PPOs Speakers: Steven Snowden KC, 12KBW, London
Ed Tomlinson, Head of Advice, PI & COP Division, Shackleton Advisers, Sheffield
12.15pm - 1.00pm Artificial intelligence Georgia Briscoe, Managing Director, Medical Law Services, Fletchers, Southport  
Noah Milton, Director of AI, Fletchers, Southport
1.00pm - 2.00pm JPIL case and comment
Kindly sponsored by Thomson Reuters		 Speakers: Brett Dixon, APIL Secretary and JPIL Case and Digest Editor, Scott Moncrieff & Associates, Clitheroe
John McQuater, APIL EC Member and Deputy Case and Digest Editor, Switalskis Solicitors Ltd, Doncaster
Professor Rachael Mulheron KC, JPIL Board Member, Queen Mary University Hospital, London
Nathan Tavares KC, JPIL Board Member, Outer Temple Chambers, London
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 £975 + 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