Manchester Criminal Defence Practitioner Training Conference | Now Closed
7 CPD All Essential Updates ÂŁ55
7 CPD
All Essential Updates
ÂŁ55
Friday, October 3, 2025
9:30am Registration – 4:30pm Finish
Manchester Conference Centre, Pendulum Hotel, Sackville Street, Manchester,
M1 3BB
We were excited to deliver the Manchester return of this dynamic and interactive full-day conference for lawyers practising in Criminal Defence.
With a full spread of the latest must-know legal updates and skills, the event featured a packed day of practice-focused presentations from eight outstanding lawyers, each at the top of their game with extensive hands-on experience representing clients in Criminal Law.
This full-day Manchester Criminal Defence CPD event delivered real-world updates for solicitors, barristers, and police station representatives working across criminal defence. The day included interactive strategy, legislative shifts, and applied forensic science, delivered by leading experts including Steve Kennedy (Law Friends Society), Antony Bartholomeusz (Great James Street Chambers), Chris Walsh (Keith Borer Consultants), and Nasir Hafezi. With each speaker bringing fresh insight from courtrooms, custody suites, and forensic environments, this was not just a legal lecture, it was a practical training ground for live issues affecting frontline cases.
PACE Codes, Protest Law, Cell Site Evidence: It Was All Covered
The day opened with live analysis of current problems arising at police stations, followed by a comprehensive two-part update on PACE Codes, youth justice, and Crown Court developments. Antony Bartholomeusz delivered structured updates that cut through the noise, providing clear guidance on what had changed and what it meant for practitioners in practice.
In the afternoon, Chris Walsh demystified mobile evidence and cell site data, before Nasir Hafezi delivered a critical session on how protest law intersected with modern political contexts, including Israel and Palestine, and the advisory obligations facing defence practitioners.
Serious Training for Serious Practitioners
Whether delegates were duty solicitors on the ground, caseworkers handling forensic disclosure, or litigators advising clients following protest arrests, this event provided practical and timely tools. Delivered with the clarity, expertise, and grounded relevance that Law Friends Society is known for, it served as a tactical briefing for the year ahead in crime, designed to strengthen legal outcomes and build confidence in every courtroom, station, and client interaction.
| Time | Seminar | Speaker | Organisation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.30 | Coffee | |||
| 10.00 | Welcome | Steve Kennedy – Solicitor – Law Friends Society |
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| 10.15 | Current Problems in the Police Stations and Practical Solutions — Interactive | Steve Kennedy |
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| 10.45 | Part 1 — Police Station PACE Codes, Youth Court, Magistrates and Crown Court — Full Criminal Law Updates | Antony Bartholomeusz – Barrister – Great James Street Chambers |
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| 11.30 | Coffee | |||
| 12.00 | Part 2 — Police Station PACE Codes, Youth Court, Magistrates and Crown Court — Full Criminal Law Updates | Antony Bartholomeusz |
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| 12.45 | Lunch | |||
| 1.45 | Cell Site Analysis and Mobile Phone Evidence | Chris Walsh – Forensic Scientist – Keith Borer Consultants |
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| 2.15 | Protest Law: Israel, Palestine and Advising Suspects — The Use and Misuse of the Criminal Law | Nasir Hafezi – Solicitor |
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| 3.00 | Coffee | |||
| 3.30 | Guest Speaker |
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| 4.15 | Course certificate and close | Steve Kennedy – Law Friends Society |
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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
Delegate Reviews from Our Conferences Last Year
“I have been attending these events for years and each time they improve. Excellent organisation and conference”
Oliver Al-Falah, Solicitor – 100% score
“Amazing overview on various topics especially in the light of recent developments and changes in the law”
Chris Pelentrides, Solicitor – 100% score
“Excellent presentations and audio visual / media facilities”
Aisha Abdul Latif, Solicitor Manager – 100% score
“Great day out. Value for money, loved the venue, fabulous speakers, easy to get to. All in all, very well put together”
Jeevan Gill, Solicitor – 100% score
“Excellent”
Rachel Viko, Solicitor – 100% score
We very much look forward to seeing you on the day!
