About this conference

23rd March, 2026
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Shakespeare Martineau, The Shard, London

Our training programme, delivered by expert lawyers – many with in-house counsel experience, is a practical and efficient way to stay updated on legal developments, maintain relevant expertise, and ensure you’re informed on key issues shaping your practice.

This conference will cover:

Commercial Contracts Case Law Update
Stay ahead of the latest developments in English contract law with a roundup of the cases reshaping how agreements are interpreted and enforced. This session will equip in‑house counsel with practical insights to strengthen drafting, negotiation and risk management.

Legal Privilege in Practice
A practical guide to navigating legal advice and litigation privilege in real-world in‑house environments, where the boundaries can easily blur. Learn how to identify, preserve and protect privileged material to avoid the common pitfalls that lead to inadvertent waiver.

Board Priorities for 2026: Strengthening Oversight and Accountability
Explore the governance issues topping board agendas in 2026, from directors’ duties and economic crime compliance to the growing imperative for robust cybersecurity oversight. This session offers practical guidance to help in‑house teams support their boards in meeting rising regulatory and stakeholder expectations.

Navigating AI Risk: What In‑House Counsel Need to Know in 2026
With AI adoption accelerating, this session unpacks the emerging legal, contractual and liability challenges facing in‑house counsel in the year ahead. Gain clarity on recent developments, including key regulation and case law, and learn how to mitigate risk through stronger contractual governance.

Intellectual Property Clauses: Avoiding Hidden Risks in Your Contracts
IP provisions appear in most commercial agreements, yet subtle drafting gaps can expose organisations to infringement risks or loss of critical assets. This session highlights commonly overlooked issues across different contractual arrangements to help in‑house counsel safeguard both their own and third‑party IP.

Attendance is free, but places are limited to 50 attendees —advance booking is essential and we are limiting attendance to two persons per company.

The event will be held at Shakespeare Martineau’s Birmingham office, located at 1 Colmore Row, Birmingham B4 6AA.

Our speakers

Carys Thompson

Partner & Head of Sheffield

Sneha Nainwal

Partner & Head of India Desk

Reva Jain

Company Secretary

Selina Hinchliffe

Partner & Head of Commercial Services

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