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  1. Home
  2. For members
  3. CPD & Training
  4. Annual Conference 2025
  5. Programme

Annual Conference 2025 Programme

The conference will take place from Monday 6 through to Thursday 9 October. The first three days are afternoon sessions hosted entirely online, while for Thursday’s full day programme you’ll have the option to join online or attend in person at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

As sessions are confirmed, we'll add them to this page, so please check regularly for updates.

Day 1

View programme about Day 1

Day 2

View programme about Day 2

Day 3

View programme about Day 3

Day 4

View programme about Day 4

Day 1: Monday 6 October | 12pm - 2pm | Online only

12:00 - 12:05 Welcome and Introduction to Day 1
David Lee
Conference Chair
David Lee
Director, David Lee Media & Events
12:05 - 13:05 Panel: AI in Your Practice
Plenary

In this session our speakers from both private practice and in-house will share their experience of utilising AI in their daily work, and reflect on how this has impacted them both positively and negatively. Practical tools will be discussed, as well as the benefits and risks associated with the integration of AI in legal practice.

13:00 - 13:10 Comfort Break and Transition to Breakout Rooms

13:10 - 14:00 Breakout Sessions

Ethics
Breakout 1
General Practice
Breakout 2
In-House
Breakout 3

Day 2: Tuesday 7 October | 12pm - 2pm | Online only

12:00 - 12:05 Welcome and Introduction to Day 2
David Lee
Conference Chair
David Lee
Director, David Lee Media & Events
12:05 - 13:00 Panel: The International Gap
Plenary

In this session, our speakers will focus on differing generational attitudes on key and evolving areas for the legal profession, including: work-life balance, career progression, technology and AI, organisational values, sustainability and more. We will analyse data associated with changing demographics within the profession, and reflect on issues of talent attraction and retention across firms and organisations of all sizes.

13:00 - 13:10 Comfort Break and Transition to Breakout Rooms

13:10 - 14:00 Breakout Sessions

Ethics
Breakout 1
Alan Shanks
Alan Shanks
Head of Scotland, Partner, Addleshaw Goddard LLP
General Practice
Breakout 2
In-House
Breakout 3

Day 3: Wednesday 8 October |12pm - 2pm | Online only

12:00 - 12:05 Welcome and Introduction to Day 3
12:05 - 13:00 Panel: Getting Ready for the Next 10 Years
Plenary

In this session, our speakers will focus on the future of the legal profession, to identify the current and upcoming changes that you and your organisation need to be aware of to prepare for the next 10 years. We will reflect on recent developments that are driving change including innovation, how shifting client expectations are shaping firms’ values, mental health and wellbeing and much more.

Rob Aberdein
Rob Aberdein
Group Managing Director, Simpson & Marwick
Lindsay Jack
Lindsay Jack
Head of Diversity, Careers and Outreach, Law Society of Scotland
2 Speakers
13:00 - 13:10 Comfort Break and Transition to Breakout Rooms

13:10 - 14:00 Breakout Sessions

Ethics
Breakout 1
Professor Stephen Mayson
Professor Stephen Mayson
Honorary Professor, UCL Faculty of Laws
General Practice
Breakout 2
In-House
Breakout 3

Day 4: 9 October | 9am - 4.35pm | Online or In-person

Day 4 will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and also streamed live to online attendees.

09:00 - 09:30 Registration, Exhibition and Networking
09:30 - 09:35 Welcome and Introduction to Day 4
Rona Dougall
Conference Chair
Rona Dougall
Broadcast Journalist and Presenter, STV
09:35 - 09:40 Opening remarks from Law Society of Scotland CEO
Plenary
09:40 - 10:15 Opening Keynote
Keynote Address
10:15 - 11:00 The Rule of Law
Panel discussion

The panel discussion will focus on the current threats to the rule of law, with a focus on how recent international developments may be impacting the legal profession – locally and globally. Our panellists will reflect on areas such as trades, EDI policies, freedom of speech, independence of the profession.

Michael P. Clancy OBE,WS
Panel Host
Michael P. Clancy OBE,WS
Director of Law Reform, Law Society of Scotland
1 Speaker
11:00 - 11:30 Comfort Break, Networking and Exhibition

11:30 - 12:05 Breakout Rooms: Regulatory Update

Solicitors as Professional Enablers
Breakout 1
Gemma Turnbull
Gemma Turnbull
Head of AML, Law Society of Scotland
Regulation of Legal Services Update
Breakout 2
Account Rules and Financial Compliance
Breakout 3
12:05 - 12:15 Transition to Plenary
12:15 - 13:00 Panel: Wellbeing, Mental Health and Sustainability of the Profession
Plenary
Antoinette Moriarty
Antoinette Moriarty
Head of Psychological Services, Law Society of Ireland & member of the International Bar Association’s Professional Wellbeing Commission
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch, Networking and Exhibition
14:00 - 14:05 Welcome to Afternoon Sessions
Plenary
Rona Dougall
Conference Chair
Rona Dougall
Broadcast Journalist and Presenter, STV
14:05 - 14:50 Fireside Chat: Cyberthreats and the Legal Sector
Plenary
14:50 - 15:05 Comfort Break, Networking and Exhibition

15:05 - 15:45 Breakout Rooms

Becoming a Trusted Advisor
Breakout 4
Dealing with Vulnerable Clients
Breakout 5
Young Lawyers/ Preparing Trainees
Breakout 6
15:45 - 15:55 Transition to Plenary
15:55 - 16:25 Keynote Address
Closing Keynote
16:25 - 16:30 Law Society of Scotland President
Plenary
Patricia Thom
Patricia Thom
President, Law Society of Scotland
16:30 - 16:35 Close of Conference
Plenary
Rona Dougall
Conference Chair
Rona Dougall
Broadcast Journalist and Presenter, STV
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Additional

  • Annual Conference 2025

In this section

  • Registration
  • Programme
  • Speakers
  • Testimonials
  • Sponsors
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