Speaking

AI Opportunities and Threats

Co-panellists: Anthony Searle, barrister of Serjeants Inn; Joe Woodward, Associate at PCB Byrne; David Blayney KC of Serle Court, founder of Associo (AI platform for dispute practitioners).

• Where AI earns its place, from disclosure and chronologies to first-draft research
• The risks that matter most: hallucinated authorities, privilege, and the duty of accuracy owed to the court
• The changing litigation and client landscape
• Why judgment stays with the practitioner, with AI as an assistant you supervise rather than trust blindly

The Long Haul — Managing disputes without burning out

Co-panellist: William Bowes, General Counsel of YouGov.

Spoke about the human cost of long disputes — the ones that run for years and slowly wear you down — and how to protect yourself amongst the noise. One theme that stood out: the distinction between responsibility for the dispute and responsibility for the legal advice. As the lawyer, you own the latter; the dispute itself is not yours to own.

AI Horizons in Practice

Co-panellists: Sam Karim KC, King's Chambers; David Robinson, Partner at Marks and Clerk.

• Why adoption is about to go exponential, and why sitting it out is getting harder to justify
• The rise of agentic tools and what that means for how legal teams work day to day
• Today's crowded, cottage-industry market and the consolidation that's likely coming
• Why responsible adoption comes down to training and judgement as much as licences, with AI working as an assistant you guide and a person keeping their hands on the wheel