JR Trends and Forecasts 2021: Accountability and the Constitution

Judicial Review Trends and Forecasts is back!

A week of cutting-edge analysis, insight and opinion from the UK’s leading lawyers and legal thinkers. Breakfast and early afternoon entirely online seminars allow for flexibility, all recorded for access by delegates pots-event. You can click here to see this year’s Martin Rowson conference illustration masterpiece in full

Bookings extension: We are continuing to take bookings today, Monday 18 October, however we cannot guarantee bookings will be processed in time for following morning’s seminar (we will try our best).  We remind all delegates that all webinars are recorded and will be accessible post-conference.

Please note that joining instructions will be sent out when your booking has been processed.

• Please contact our Events Team if you require STTR and transcripts with as much notice as possible prior to the event
• Over 20 hours BSB / CPD available throughout the week
• The Pandemic Price Plummet remains for 2021!  Full price tickets are £190 + VAT, Charities and NGOs £150 + VAT

Presented with the support of Blackstone Chambers and Herbert Smith Freehills.

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Monday 18th October

9.30 – 11.00: Top 10 public law cases of the year
Bijan Hoshi, Public Law Project
Rachel Jones, Blackstone Chambers
Nusrat Zar, Herbert Smith Freehills

Afternoon left free for those wishing to participate in the LLST London Legal Walk.

Tuesday 19th October

9.00-10.30: Morning breakouts. Please select 1 of 2.

1: Judicial review  of the regulators: An update
This is an update on last year’s session, looking at the recent use of judicial review to challenge decisions across a range of regulators.  The speakers will also step back and look at the trends over a number of years.
Catherine Callaghan QC, Blackstone Chambers
Andrew Lidbetter and Jasveer Randhawa, Herbert Smith Freehills

2: Judicial review and justice during COVID – What did we learn and what has changed?
The courts proved a significant arena for holding Government to account during COVID and the justice system itself saw a massive shift to largely remote procedures. This session looks at both trends in the substance of cases during the pandemic and at the impact on access to justice.
Chair: Jo Hynes, Public Law Project
James Cornwell, 11KBW
Tessa Gregory, Leigh Day
Khatija Hafesji, Monckton Chambers
Lisa Harker, Director, Nuffield Family Justice Observatory

13.30 – 14.00: Keynote
Introduction by Jo Hickman, Director, Public Law Project
Keynote #1: Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP, Attorney General

14.00 – 15.30: Accountability and the constitution: Reform under the Johnson Government
When taken together the many elements of constitutional reform proposed by the Johnson Government, including the Human Rights Act review, the New Plan for Immigration and the proposals for judicial review, will have profound consequences for the Rule of Law and justice for individuals. The panel will look at the proposals, the reform process and potential cumulative impacts.

Chair: Professor Meg Russell FBA, Director, Constitution Unit, UCL
Gracie Bradley, Acting Director, Liberty
David Gauke, Head of Public Policy, Macfarlanes
The Rt Hon David Lammy MP
Sir Jonathan Jones KCB QC

Wednesday 20th October

9.00 – 10.30: Accountability and the constitution: Treaty exceptionalism
Is it possible to hold Government to account for policy that requires international collaboration? Is there judicial deference regarding the enforcement of treaties, and if so, why? And why are lawyers and academics often perceived to be unengaged with this potentially huge area of concern? With a vast number of new treaties under consideration in the wake of Brexit, and the UK can the law help give voice to those potentially affected?
Chair: Arabella Lang, Public Law Project
Jill Barrett, Six Pump Court
Alexander Horne,  Counsel, Hackett & Dabbs LLP and Visiting Professor of Law, Durham University
David Lawrence, Trade and Justice Movement
Dr Campbell McLachlan, Faculty of Law Victoria University of Wellington
Naina Patel, Blackstone Chambers

12.30 – 13.15: Civil procedure rules changes
Sir Colin Birss, Deputy Head of Civil Justice, in conversation with Sara Lomri, Public Law Project

14.00 – 15.30: Threats to justice from the Nationality and Borders Bill
This session will look at the possible threats to justice in the proposed Nationality and Borders Bill, including the limited opportunities for independent review into the Home Office’s decision-making, the lack of fairness proposed in the new reforms, and the reduced timescale and scope for appeals and access to legal advice.
Chair: Charlotte Kilroy QC, Blackstone Chambers
Max McLellan, UNHCR
Sonali Naik QC, Garden Court Chambers
Anthony Vaughan, Doughty Street Chambers
James Wilson, Acting Director, Detention Action

Please note the session on  Retained EU law is now being rescheduled likely for early November.  All delegates will receive an invite when confirmed.  With thanks and apologies.

This session will give an overview of the basic concept and structure of “retained law” in the Withdrawal Act of 2018 and the process for “transferring” EU law into domestic legislation. Topics can include: the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the litigation landscape in the UK post-Brexit, social security benefits for EU citizens, transitioning EU data law, the role of the CJEU in British legislation, and more.
Chair: Eleonor Duhs, Fieldfisher
Tim Buley QC, Landmark Chambers
Allan Cerim, Brick Court Chambers
Gayatri Sarathy, Blackstone Chambers

Thursday 21st October

9.00 – 10.30: Data, privacy, transparency and accountability
Major judgments have been handed down this year, including on challenges from Big Brother Watch and Privacy International concerning the limits of Government power in the context of data. This session looks at how courts have interpreted applicable human rights law, and potential gaps in individual protection and emerging challenges in holding the state to account on data.
Chair: Camilla Graham Wood, Privacy International
Rosa Curling, Foxglove
Ben Jaffey QC, Blackstone Chambers
Ravi Naik, AWO Legal
Madeleine Stone, Big Brother Watch

12.30 – 13.00: Sir Rupert Jackson in conversation on costs in judicial review with Jo Hickman, Director, Public Law Project

14.00 – 15.30: Accountability and the constitution: Judicial review reform
Reform of judicial review will have a profound impact on our constitution and accountability. How can practitioners maintain the efficacy of JR as a remedy for injustice and as a means to hold the state to account? The session will look at proposed changes across procedure and remedies, and the use of ouster clauses.
Chair: Lord Neuberger
Polly Glynn, Deighton Pierce Glynn
Richard Hermer QC, Matrix Chambers
Alison Pickup, Public Law Project
Vikram Sachdeva QC, 39 Essex Chambers

Friday 22nd October

9.00 – 10.30: Morning breakouts. Please select 1 of 2.

1: Interveners and third parties in judicial review
This session is an update on recent interventions in judicial review cases, looking at process and impact, and considering issues arising for interveners, such as costs and alternative means of assisting the court or the parties.
Chair: Sara Lomri, Public Law Project
Chris Johnson, Community Law Partnership
Stephen Lodge, Equality and Human Rights Commission
Louise Whitfield, Liberty
James Wood, Herbert Smith Freehills

2: The Environment Bill and new procedures
The Environment Bill proposes the creation of a new Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) for oversight and enforcement of environmental law following the UK’s departure from the European Union. This will involve a new ‘environmental review’ procedure for the enforcement of environmental law, applying judicial review principles. This session looks at the implications for lawyers, and environmentalists seeking to challenge executive action.
Chair: Gillian Lobo, ClientEarth
Carol Day, RSPB
Ruth Chambers, Green Alliance
Dr Ronan Cormacain, Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law
David Wolfe QC, Matrix Chambers

12.30. -13.00 Networking lunch Zoom meeting
A chance for delegates and speakers to meet and chat, open to everyone registered for the event.

14.00 – 15.30: Accountability and the constitution: Public law and devolution
A number of differences are emerging between central government and the devolved governments on the role of law to enforce rights, ensure government accountability, and uphold the Rule of Law. This panel will consider the function and use of public law in this post-Brexit devolutionary landscape
Chair: Akash Paun, Institute for Government
Mick Antoniw MS, Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution, Welsh Government
Michael P Clancy OBE, Director Law Reform, The Law Society of Scotland
Helen Mountfield QC, Matrix Chambers
Professor Rory O’Connell, University of Ulster

15.30-16.00: Keynote #2

Seeking accountability and defending constitutional rights: an Anti – Racist perspective
Prof Leslie Thomas QC, Garden Court Chambers

To organise your group bookings of 5 people or more, please email Amélie.

For any ticket or programme queries, please email the PLP Events Team.

Please note that all bookings are manually processed by our Events Team. Please allow 2-3 business days to receive your confirmation.

Joining instructions will be circulated the working day immediately preceding the start of the conference.