Criminal Appeals: Past Mistakes and Future Challenges
About this Event
Please join us for our joint CALA and APPEAL in-person conference.
This year’s event will focus on past mistakes and future challenges.
Recent years have seen a significant number of miscarriage of justice appeals. At the same time, there are a number of key reforms in the pipeline that will affect the fairness of our justice and appeals system.
This conference will bring together key speakers involved in unpicking past mistakes and those working on future reforms.
It will also place a spotlight on some of the most vulnerable people in the criminal justice system, including women and people serving IPP sentences, and provide practical pointers and updates for practitioners.
Confirmed speakers so far include:
- Farrhat Arshad KC, Doughty Street Chambers
- Dame Vera Baird KC, Interim Chair, CCRC
- Master Alix Beldam KC, Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division
- Steven Bird, Solicitor, Hodge Jones and Allen
- Henry Blaxland KC, Garden Court Chambers
- Claire Bostock, Solicitor, Shaw Graham Kersh
- Alannah Burdess, Bar Course Student
- David Emanuel KC, Garden Court Chambers
- Matt Foot, Co-director, APPEAL
- Dr Laura Janes KC (Hon), solicitor, GT Stewart Solicitors
- Dr Robert Kaye, Law Commission
- Roxy Legane, Director, Kids of Colour
- Campbell Malone, former Chair of CALA
- Seema Misra OBE
- Donna Mooney, UNGRIPP
- Jon Robins, Journalist and Lecturer at Brighton University
- Gregory Stewart, solicitor, GT Stewart Solicitors & Advocates
- Andrew Thomas KC, Chair of the Criminal Bar Association
- Emma Torr, Co-director, APPEAL
- Clare Wade KC, 25 Bedford Row
- Tom Wainwright, Garden Court Chambers
- Tejal Roma-Williams, City Law School
- Harriet Wistrich, Director, Centre for Women's Justice
Refreshments will be provided throughout the day. Lunch will also be provided.
When: 7th November 2026, Registration 09.30 - 16:30, followed by drinks
Where: BPP Law School, Holborn (in-person only event).
Cost: £25 for members / pupils / students / trainees and £50 for everyone else including non-members.
Join CALA as a member
To make use of the conference discount for members, make sure you use or renew your CALA membership. See https://www.cala.org.uk to download an application form and email it to [email protected].
Membership is open to everyone involved or interested in criminal appeal work, regardless of stage of qualification.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 25.00 to GBP 50.00
