Manchester Criminal Defence Essential Update
7 CPD - ÂŁ75
7 CPD
All Essential Updates
ÂŁ75
Friday, October 16, 2026
9:30am Registration – 4:30pm Finish
Manchester Conference Centre, Pendulum Hotel, Sackville Street, Manchester,
M1 3BB
| Time | Seminar | Speaker | Photo | Organisation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 | Registration And Coffee | |||
| 9.30 | Welcome | Steve Kennedy. Solicitor. Law Friends. |  |
 |
| 9.40 | Ten Current Problems In The Custody Suites And Practical Solutions | Steve Kennedy. Solicitor. Law Friends. | |
|
| 10.10 | Youth Justice Update | Helen White. Solicitor. Norrie Waite & Slater. |  |
 |
| 11.00 | Coffee | |||
| 11.25 | PACE Codes, Magistrates Courts, And Crown Courts Updates Including The All-Important Sentencing Act 2026 | Helen White. Solicitor. Norrie Waite & Slater. | |
|
| 12.30 | Lunch | |||
| 1.30 | Fingerprints : Identifying the Difference | Simon Bunter. Forensic Scientist. Keith Borer Consultants. |  |
 |
| 2.10 | Ethics Training Is Soon To Become Mandatory. 15 Real Dilemmas For Every Criminal Lawyer | Nasir Hafezi. Solicitor. Law Friends. |  |
|
| 3.00 | Coffee | |||
| 3.25 | Maximising Your Legal Aid Billing | Colin Wells. Barrister. 25 Bedford Row. |  |
 |
| 3.45 | Video Callout For Kindness Ambassadors | Valerie Charbit. Barrister. Red Lion Chambers & Nicola Shannon KC. Furnival Chambers. |
  |
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| 3.50 | “The Current Position On Joint Enterprise In The Court Of Appeal “And “From Feltham YOI To Legal Aid Lawyer Of The Year” | Darrell Ennis-Gayle. Partner. Hodge Jones & Allen. Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year 2026. |  |
 |
| 4.15 | Course Certificate And Close | Â | Â | Â |
| Â | Post Conference Drinks | Â | Â | Â |
Dear friends and colleagues,
Law Friends returns to Manchester on Friday 16 October 2026 for our 7-CPD Criminal Defence Essential Update Conference.
A Full Day of Essential Criminal Defence Updates
The morning programme features:
- Steve Kennedy, London solicitor and founder of Law Friends, on current challenges in police station custody suites.
- Helen White, Sheffield solicitor, on youth justice, Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court practice, and the Sentencing Act 2026.
After lunch, the programme continues with:
- Simon Bunter, forensic scientist at Keith Borer Consultants.
- Nasir Hafezi, explaining the SRA’s proposed future requirements on ethics and their potential impact across the profession.
- Colin Wells of 25 Bedford Row Chambers, demonstrating how to maximise legitimate billable returns on files.
- Darrel Ennis Gayle, Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year 2026, discussing his Manchester joint-enterprise murder case before the Court of Appeal and his career journey from Feltham Young Offender Institution to partnership at Hodge Jones & Allen.
Together, we are Law Friends.
Created and Delivered by Criminal Defence Practitioners
The course is designed, structured and delivered by experienced criminal law solicitors, barristers and experts who remain in full-time practice.
Our presenters combine current frontline experience with engaging delivery and first-rate training skills.
The Law Friends team brings up-to-the-minute insight, decades of experience and a clear practical focus to an enjoyable and substantive CPD event.
A Superb Central Manchester Venue
The conference will be held at the Pendulum Hotel Conference Centre, a well-appointed city-centre event facility close to public transport. Delegates travelling from farther afield can also book convenient, good-value accommodation at the venue.
The One to Go To
Booking is now open for the conference described by delegates as “the one to go to”. We look forward to welcoming you.
Book Your Ticket For Just ÂŁ75
Read our reviews below and book for just £75.
Your ticket includes:
- Tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day
- Full lecture notes
- A coded course-completion certificate for your compliance records
Please note that the Law Friends production team will film the event.
After the conference, join us in the bar for drinks and an opportunity to continue the conversation.
Finally, if you enjoyed last year’s conference, please spread the word.
We very much look forward to seeing you on the day.
With kindest regards,
Law Friends
Course Features
- Full practice-focused law updates for all practitioners across the jurisdiction
- Suitable for paralegals, trainees, solicitors, pupils, and barristers
- 7 CPD courses covering all essential updates, new laws, practice, and procedure
- All practice-focused seminars presented by hand-picked Law Friends ambassadors
- Big room, large-screen HD visuals
- Professional audio-visual film crew working to broadcast quality
- Comfortable seating at cabaret-style tables
- Summaries, strategies, toolkits, and skills bringing you up to date on best practice
- Q&A and post-seminar discussion with speakers available after all seminars
- Post-conference drinks – come and relax with your colleagues after the event
- Easily accessible state-of-the-art Central Manchester location
- Quick check-in and early get-out
- Full venue air-conditioning
- All-day tea, coffee, and biscuits included
- Delegate pack included
- 7-CPD course completion certificate included
Delegate Reviews from this Conference Last Year
“Great topics covered. Very relevant and up to date, even touching on live cases and events that had been the previous day. Very informative and laced with some humour.”
Megan Conliffe – Howarth Gall and Gallagher – 100% score
“Each speaker was clearly knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Excellent case notes, which were explained in a helpful and entertaining manner.”
Lawrence Lee, Solicitor – Lawrence Lee and Co – 100% score
“Very informative and good range of areas covered.”
Aaron Ruby – Clifford Johnston – 100% score
“As always, an excellent course. Great to see you back. Content excellent and just right.”
Yasmin Aslam, Director – AGI Solicitors – 100% score
“Very informative and engaging speakers. Interesting topics and valuable updates in the law.”
Amman, Solicitor – RCM Solicitors – 100% score
“Great speakers with interesting topics. Nice to have in-person conferences. Will be back next year.”
Molly McDonald, Accredited Rep – 100% score
“Very informative and interesting. Speakers all very knowledgeable. Nice to be able to attend the course in person rather than online.”
Bridget Waters, Molyneux Crown Court Clerk – Lawrence Lee and Co
We very much look forward to seeing you on the day!
