WHEN | 12 November 2026, 9:00am – 5:00pm
WHERE | King's Inns Main Building, Constitution Hill
This event is worth 5 CPD hours/points.
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BOOKINGS
All bookings must be made through the online booking system. Booking options:
NON-SUBSCRIBING MEMBER - €195.00 - BOOK HERE >
SUBSCRIBING MEMBER OF KING’S INNS €175.00 - BOOK HERE >
Enquiries – please contact members@kingsinns.ie
6:30 - Member dining (optional). Dining bookings will be available soon!
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ABOUT
The King’s Inns Annual Conference brings together leaders from the judiciary, regulation, legal practice, industry and academia to examine the evolving role of the employed barrister. The 2026 conference explores the opportunities and challenges facing legal professionals working within public bodies, corporate organisations and other in-house environments, while providing a forum for discussion, networking and professional development.
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PROGRAMME
9:00am – Registration, Tea / Coffee on arrival
9:30am – Welcome and Opening Address - The Hon Mr Justice Oisín Quinn, Judge of the High Court
9:35am – "The Role of the Employed Barrister" - The Hon Mr Justice David Barniville, President of the High Court
10:15am – "The Importance of the Employed Barrister in the Public Sphere" - Rossa Fanning SC, Attorney General
10:55am – Tea / Coffee Break
11:30am – "Regulatory Challenges for Employed Barristers" Brian Kennedy SC
"The Regulator's Perspective" - Niamh Muldoon, CEO, Legal Services Regulatory Authority
12:45pm – Lunch
1:30pm – “Challenges for In-House Counsel - Leadership"
“ Leading as an In-House Counsel” - Hannah Carney, Executive Coach, Mentor and Practising Mediator
2.00pm – “The Role of the Employed Barrister in Mediation” - Mark Connaughton SC
2.20pm – "Movers and Returners" - Sam Mercer, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Bar Council of England and Wales
2:40pm – Artificial Intelligence in Practice: Transforming Dispute Resolution and Legal Strategy
Stephen Dowling SC, CEO and Founder, TrialView
Maged Helmy, Founder and CEO, Newcode.ai
3:15pm – Tea / Coffee Break
3:30pm – “Managing Risk in Complex Regulatory Environments”
Helen Whately, Senior Associate General Counsel, Security Legal, Meta
Hannah Smith, Principal Lawyer, General Pharmaceutical Council
Genevieve Harris, Legal Counsel, Central Banking Legal, Bank of England
Darren Dunn, Senior Director, Corporate Investigations and Business Conduct Compliance (Europe), GXO Logistics
4:45pm – Concluding Remarks - The Hon Mr Justice Oisín Quinn
5:00pm – Networking & Drinks Reception
6:30pm – Member Dining (optional) – Must be booked separately.
STANDS: (9.00am – 1.00pm) - The newly established Employed Bar Association (EBA) | AG office | AIB pensions | Heron Legal Services
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WHY ATTEND
The Role of the Employed Barrister
This session explores the evolving role of employed barristers within the modern legal profession, highlighting the breadth of career opportunities available across public service, corporate organisations and regulated industries. It considers the unique contribution employed barristers make to legal practice, public administration and business leadership.
Regulatory Challenges for Employed Barristers
This session examines the changing regulatory landscape affecting employed barristers, including professional obligations, ethical responsibilities and developments in legal regulation. Speakers will offer perspectives from both practice and regulation, providing practical guidance for legal professionals navigating an increasingly complex environment.
Challenges for In-House Counsel - Leadership
Focusing on leadership, mediation and career development, this session considers the diverse skills required of today's in-house counsel. Discussions will include leading legal teams, the growing importance of alternative dispute resolution, and supporting career progression through initiatives such as "Movers and Returners", which encourage greater diversity and talent retention within the profession.
Artificial Intelligence in Practice: Transforming Dispute Resolution and Legal Strategy
Artificial intelligence continues to reshape legal practice. This session explores how AI is transforming dispute resolution, litigation strategy and legal decision-making, while also considering the practical opportunities and governance challenges facing organisations adopting AI technologies.
Managing Risk in Complex Regulatory Environments
Senior legal leaders from technology, financial services, healthcare regulation and international business will discuss how organisations identify, manage and respond to regulatory risk. The session will provide practical insights into governance, compliance and strategic legal leadership across highly regulated sectors.
