Annual Conference 2026 Programme

This year’s conference will take place on Thursday, 29 October. You can choose to join online or attend in person at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

As sessions are confirmed we'll publish the details here first so please check regularly for updates.

Thursday 29 October | Joins us online or in person

09:00 - 09:30 Registration, Exhibition and Networking

09:30 - 09:35 Welcome and Introduction
Plenary
Sally Magnusson
Conference Chair
Sally Magnusson
Author and Broadcaster, Author and Broadcaster, Author and Broadcaster, Author and Broadcaster, Author and Broadcaster
09:35 - 09:40 Opening Remarks from Law Society of Scotland CEO
Plenary
Ben Kemp
Ben Kemp
Chief Executive, Law Society of Scotland
09:40 - 10:10 Opening Keynote
Plenary

Right Honourable Sir Geoffrey Vos
Keynote Speaker
Right Honourable Sir Geoffrey Vos
The Master of the Rolls
10:10 - 10:45 The Rule of Law in Action: From the Sheriff Court to Matters of State
Plenary
The Rt Hon Lord Desmond Browne
Speaker
The Rt Hon Lord Desmond Browne
Rt Hon Lord Browne of Ladyton
Michael P. Clancy OBE,WS
Host
Michael P. Clancy OBE,WS
Director of Law Reform, Law Society of Scotland
2 Speakers
10:45 - 11:00 Session to be Confirmed
Plenary
11:00 - 11:15 Meet Your Sponsors
Plenary

11:15 - 11:45 Comfort Break, Networking and Exhibition

11:45 - 12:20 Breakouts: Choose Your Conference Stream

AML
Stream 1: The Business of Law (Lennox room)
AI That Works: Success Stories from Practice
Stream 2: The Future-Ready Lawyer (Lammermuir 1 room)
Safe Conversations in Practice: a Toolkit to Notice, Check In and Support
Stream 3: Organisational Culture (Lammermuir 2 room)
Mona Vadher
Speaker
Mona Vadher
Executive Director of Programmes, MCG Consulting
Steven McCann
Speaker
Steven McCann
Director, MCG Consulting
Rebecca Banks
Speaker
Rebecca Banks
Charity and Social Enterprise Paralegal at Bates Wells and Advisory Board Member, MCG Consulting
Ravinder Panesar
Host
Ravinder Panesar
Wellbeing and Engagement Manager, Law Society of Scotland
4 Speakers
12:20 - 12:25 Transition to Streams

12:25 - 13:00 Breakouts: Choose Your Conference Stream

Cybersecurity
Stream 1: The business of law (lennox room)
Kerrie Machin
Kerrie Machin
Partner, Mitigo
Legal Skills in 2030: Why You Matter More Than Ever
stream 2: the future-ready lawyer (lammermuir 1 room)
Leading through uncertainty: How to thrive in a turbulent world
stream 3: organisational culture (lammermuir 2 room)
Stephen Goldie
Speaker
Stephen Goldie
Managing Partner, Brodies
13:00 - 13:55 Lunch, Networking and Exhibition

13:55 - 14:05 Honorary Members Award
Plenary

14:15 - 14:30 Session to be Confirmed
Plenary

14:30 - 14:35 Transition to Streams

14:35 - 15:10 Breakouts: Choose Your Conference Stream

AI in Practice: What Controls Do You Really Need?
Stream 1: The Business of Law (Lennox room)
Ally Thomson
Host
Ally Thomson
Director, Hey Legal
Sustainability
Stream 2: The Future-Ready Lawyer (Lammermuir 1 room)
Law Firms People Want to Work For
Stream 3: Organisational Culture (Lammermuir 2 room)
Nicholas Scullion
Speaker
Nicholas Scullion
Solicitor and Managing Director, Scullion LAW
Dr Jacqueline Kinghan
Speaker
Dr Jacqueline Kinghan
Professor of Law and Social Change, University of Glasgow
2 Speakers
15:10 - 15:30 Comfort Break, Networking and Exhibition

15:30 - 16:05 Breakouts: Choose Your Conference Stream

Session to be Confirmed
Stream 1: The Business of Law (Lennox room)
In Conversation with William Peake
Stream 2: The Future-Ready Lawyer (Lammermuir 1 room)
William Peake
Speaker
William Peake
Global Managing Director, Harneys
Ryan McCuaig
Speaker
Ryan McCuaig
Senior Associate, Anderson Strathern
James McFarlane
Speaker
James McFarlane
Legal Counsel, NatWest
Rachel Steer
Host
Rachel Steer
CPD Operation Officer, Law Society of Scotland
4 Speakers
Session to be Confirmed
Stream 3: Organisational Culture (Lammermuir 2 room)
16:05 - 16:10 Transition to Plenary
16:10 - 16:40 Closing Keynote
Plenary
The Right Hon Lady Sarra Hoy
Keynote Speaker
The Right Hon Lady Sarra Hoy
Solicitor, Tour de 4 Founder & Bliss Ambassador
16:40 - 16:45 Law Society of Scotland President
Plenary
Serena Sutherland
Serena Sutherland
President, Law Society of Scotland
16:45 - 16:50 Close of Conference
Plenary

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