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The Legal Advantage Conference

12 November 2026
At Coventry University Technology Park, CV1 2TT

Event: The Legal Advantage Conference

PDA Legal in association with the Best Practice Group are delighted to partner with Recognising Excellence to host Legal Advantage; a unique event to inform and support law firm leaders and managers on controls and best practice to manage risk and compliance.

It’s more than just a conference. Much more…

Throughout the content-rich day, legal sector experts will lead interactive sessions, workshops, panels and discussion to provide you with latest insight to take back to your legal practice.

Session and topics will include; AML, SRA inspections, Lexcel, Artificial Intelligence, avoiding complaints, cybersecurity, law firm finance and more. See below for further details.

There’s also networking and meeting spaces available across the day, where you can ‘ask an expert’.

Why Attend?

Location

The Technology Centre, Coventry University Technology Park, Puma Way, Coventry, CV1 2TT

The venue was chosen with ease of travel in mind; wherever you’re travelling from.

By rail: The Coventry University Technology Park campus is in the centre of the country with the mainline railway station barely 10 minutes’ walk away.

By car: The smart, modern campus is well connected to major roads from every direction and has more than ample car parking facilities (including electric charging points).

Hotels: For any overnight stays, there are no fewer than three large hotels very nearby, offering rooms to suit a range of tastes and budgets, and with preferential rates for visitors to the venue.

Refreshments and comfort

We want you to get the most out of your day with us. And so, for your convenience and comfort, everything is under one roof; from the sessions to the networking, and refreshments and lunch.

The price of your ticket includes lunch from the menu in the large and well-stocked cafeteria on the ground floor, as well as refreshments upon arrival and during registration, and during the morning break and again in the afternoon.

Special dietary requirements can be catered for; just let us know when you book your place.

Networking

We know how helpful it is to be able to network.

The timetable has been designed so that you can catch up with colleagues and peers during the networking and refreshment breaks throughout the day.

The venue has places to socialise and chat as well as quieter spaces for more confidential discussion.

Ask an expert

Speakers and experts from the PDA and Recognising Excellence teams will be on hand in the conference hall, the workshop room or the cafeteria throughout the day to chat though any queries you might have on risk, compliance, Lexcel and best practice.

And, for those who want a little more time with us, we’ll be pleased to put a date in the calendar with you for a longer conversion.

If you’re not already a member of the Best Practice Group come and talk to one of the PDA team during the conference; we’d be delighted to welcome you as a member.

Speakers

Details to follow, shortly.

Timetable

The day commences with registration and refreshments, between 8:20am and 9:05am.

Sessions commence at 9:10am and conclude at 4:25pm.

Full Timetable

Timing Lecture theatre Workshop Room Cafeteria and networking area
0820 ‑ 0905     Refreshments and networking and exhibition
0910 - 0925 Welcome address    
0930 - 1010 Session 1a: Implementing AI in Legal Practice Session 2a: Lexcel workshop; five hot topics (first run)  
1015 - 1055 Session 1b: Cybersecurity workshop    
1055 - 1120 Comfort break (served in the cafeteria and networking area) Comfort break (served in the cafeteria and networking area) Refreshments and networking and exhibition
1125 - 1205 Session 1c: Handling complaints, with the LeO    
1205 - 1210 In-room changeover Delegates access the Workshop Room  
1210 - 1255 Session 1d: Panel discussion; what to expect from Lexcel moving forward Sessoin 2b: Workshop; Best practice in legal finace:  
1300 - 1400 Lunch (served in the cafeteria and networking area) Lunch (served in the cafeteria and networking area) Refreshments and networking and exhibition
1405 - 1525 Session 1e: AML hot topics workshop Session 2c: Lexcel workshop; five hot topics (second run)  
1525 - 1535 In-room changeover Delegates move to Lecture Theatre  
1535 - 1550 Closing remarks and prize draw    
1550 - 1625     Refreshments and networking and exhibition

Session description

Session 1a: Implementing AI in Legal Practice
In this unmissable session, expert speakers share their experiences of implementing AI in busy high street legal practices. You’ll hear about the strategies for the implementation as well as the steps taken and how to manage some of the challenges and pitfalls that inevitably appear along the way. And we take a forward look as to what comes next...
Session 1b: Cybersecurity workshop
We are reminded, daily, by real-world examples of breaches, that effective Cybersecurity is a ‘must’ for all shapes and sizes of legal practice. With a wealth of experience to draw upon in implementing and monitoring information security controls, including ISO, the speaker shall walk the delegates through meaningful action-points that they can consider or apply to their own firms to support best practice in the security of the data and information that they process.
Session 1c: Handling complaints, with the LeO

Two Senior Ombudsmen from the office of the LeO share their vast insight on:

  • Developments in complaints handling
  • Making complaints work for you
  • What the best do best
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
  • Dealing with LeO effectively
Session 1d: Panel discussion; what to expect from Lexcel moving forward
Lexcel has been at the forefront of legal sector quality and risk management standards for close to three decades. Like all aspects of legal practice, Lexcel moves with the times and we are delighted to welcome the Law Society’s head of accreditations to participate in this forward-looking panel discussion. Joined by a Lexcel assessment centre manager, a Lexcel assessor and managers from Lexcel accredited law firms, the panel will share its view of what lies ahead and take questions from the audience.
Session 1e: AML hot topics workshop

The topic of AML needs no introduction for firms whose work falls within the scope of the MLR. In this to-the-point session, our expert speaker shares insight and provides immediate takeaways on:

  • Hot topics on regulators’ radars
  • How to manage an Inspection from Regulators
  • What ‘good’ can look like for Firm-Wide Risk Assessments and AML Policies
  • What needs to happen for R21 independent AML audits
  • Effective AML training planning and implementation
  • Maintaining meaningful evidence of compliance
  • Strategies for evaluating efficacy of controls and keeping up to date
Session 2a: Lexcel workshop; five hot topics (first run)

Led by a highly experienced Lexcel assessor, this workshop session is ideal for existing Lexcel firms as well as firms that are interested in moving towards Lexcel accreditation. The session spotlights hot topics and frequent concerns arising from Lexcel assessments, and how to address them. And, delegates will have the opportunity to ask questions and obtain guidance from two highly regarded Lexcel assessors.

Sessoin 2b: Workshop; Best practice in legal finance:

Hear from legal sector financial experts in this workshop session, as they provide guidance and action points to support firms in making the most of the opportunities for their finances, including:

  • Banking and finance – how to present your information to a funder.
  • Developments with client money including the SRA’s support for TPMA and the Governments support for IOLTA.
  • Earning more interest on client money.
  • How to evidence financial stability and viability.
Session 2c: Lexcel workshop; five hot topics (seond run)
Led by a highly experienced Lexcel assessor, this workshop session is ideal for existing Lexcel firms as well as firms that are interested in moving towards Lexcel accreditation. The session spotlights hot topics and frequent concerns arising from Lexcel assessments, and how to address them. And, delegates will have the opportunity to ask questions and obtain guidance from two highly regarded Lexcel assessors.
Closing remarks and prize draw

Our event hosts thank the delegates for participating in the conference, and outline takeaways from the day as well as spotlighting sources of further information and support. And, the winner of the prize draw will be drawn live, on-stage(!)

Finally, before we head home, the hosts will invite delegates to join them for a goodbye refreshment and networking session in the cafeteria.

Download Timetable

Pricing

£149.00 per delegate. This includes:

  • Access to the sessions* on the timetable.
  • Lunch.
  • Refreshments during the three scheduled comfort breaks.
  • Access to our speakers and experts throughout the day.

*Please note that the sessions in the ‘Workshop Room’ are subject to limited number of seats which will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Special rates

  • Early Bird: Book your place before 01 April 2026 for the discounted price of £99.00.
  • Bring a Colleague: For bookings made from 01 April 2026, your place will cost £149.00, however any additional places that you book for colleagues from your legal practice will be discounted to £99.00 per person.

VAT will be added to all amounts shown.

Booking your place

Booking places for you and your colleagues couldn’t be easier. Simply download and complete this form, and email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Download Form

Get in Touch

We’re happy to answer your questions about the event. Just send us an email or give us a call.
Contact PDA Legal
Contact Recognising Excellence