programme

The conference will commence at 09.30 and close at 18.15, followed by HLPA’s annual social event. The current programme is as follows.

09.30		Registration and refreshments

10.00		Welcome and introduction HLPA Co-Chairs

10.05		Opening address Lord Richard Best

10.30		Legal Action Group Update Sue James Chief Executive, Legal Action Group

10.35		Panel discussion 1: How do we solve the housing crisis? Highlighting current problems, ideas for the future Chair: Eleri Griffiths, One Pump Court Speakers: Nick Bano Barrister, Garden Court Chambers and Author of Against Landlords: How to Solve the Housing Crisis Paul Hackett Director, The Smith Institute Rita Parmar Housing Law Consultant and Housing Expert, Citizens Advice National Expert Advice Team Dr Abi O’Connor Researcher, New Economics Foundation

11.20		Refreshments

11.45		Parallel seminars session 1 Seminar 1: Disrepair, enforcing standards: Best practice and future developments Chair: Will Ako Housing Solicitor, Islington Law Centre Speakers: Michael Marsh-Hyde Barrister, One Pump Court Angela Hall Five Paper Chambers Seminar 2: Homelessness: What are the current challenges? Chair: Laura Coyle Partner, Turpin Miller LLP Speakers: Adrian Berry and Desmond Rutledge Barristers, Garden Court Chambers Zia Nabi Barrister, Doughty Street Chambers Seminar 3: Domestic abuse: Understanding and developing practice Chair: Liam Evans, One Pump Court Speakers: Liz Davies KC Barrister, Garden Court Chambers Marina Sergides Barrister, Garden Court Chambers Claire Harris Manchester Women’s Aid

13.15		Lunch

14.15		Panel discussion 2: Renters’ Rights Bill: Worth the wait? Chair: Sue James Chief Executive, Legal Action Group Speakers: Giles Peaker Anthony Gold Solicitors and Nearly Legal Professor Lisa Whitehouse Professor of Property Law, University of Southampton and Dr Tracey Varnava Research Associate, University of Kent Law School Authors of Tackling Housing Debt and Eviction: Enhancing Occupier Engagement Through Improved Communication and Advice Lucy Tiller Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Renter’s Reform Coalition Ben Twomey Chief Executive, Generation Rent

15.00		Refreshments and networking opportunity

15.45		Parallel seminars session 2 Seminar 4: Possession claims: Securing best outcomes for occupiers Chair: Miranda Grell Barrister, Staple Inn Chambers Speakers: Christopher Lambert Barrister, Garden Court Chambers Ruth Camp Solicitor, Shelter Seminar 5: Discrimination: Using the law effectively in housing cases Chair: Angus King Solicitor, Southwark Law Centre Speakers: David Renton Barrister, Garden Court Chambers and Author of Discrimination in Housing Law Martin Hodgson Barrister, One Pump Court Catherine Casserley Barrister, Cloisters Chambers Seminar 6: Junior HLPA presents……….. This session is aimed at people of all experience levels. The panellists will be guiding a discussion about developing a housing practice at the Junior end of the profession. They will focus in particular on how people at the earlier stages of their career in housing law can take steps to develop the right practice for them and how more experienced practitioners can support them in doing so. We hope that attendees of this session will come and share their own experience and questions as well as hearing from our fantastic panellists about their respective routes into the profession and, in some cases, significant experience supporting junior practitioners. The session will be chaired by Frankie Hall, a solicitor at Shelter, Bristol. She will be joined by: Isabel Bertschinger, Barrister, One Pump Court Lou Crisfield, Partner, Miles and Partners Hannah Khalifah, Solicitor, Anti-Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit Sara Taylor, CEO, Hammersmith & Fulham Law Centre It is intended to discuss a number of specific topics such as the impact of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), the support that firms and chambers can provide trainees and juniors, broadening access to the profession and funding options. We are also very keen to open up the conversation and hear from our attendees and so will be taking anonymous questions in advance as well as questions from the floor.

17.15		Closing address: Focusing on the future: Reform of the judicial hierarchy Luigi Sterlini Formerly District Judge

17.45		Tribute to Simon Mullings Formerly Co-chair of HLPA

18.10		Closing remarks HLPA Co-chairs

18.15		HLPA Annual Social

programme

Parallel seminars session 1

Parallel seminars session 2