The Legal Advantage Conference
12 November 2026
At Coventry University Technology Park, CV1 2TT
Event: The Legal Advantage Conference
Recognising Excellence are delighted to partner with PDA Legal in association with the Best Practice Group 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?
Locations
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 Recognising Excellence and PDA 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 Lexcel accredited organisation come and talk to one of the Recognising Excellence team, we would be delighted to discuss your individual assessment needs.
Speakers
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 - 1035 | Session 1b: Cybersecurity workshop | ||
| 1035 - 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 | Session 2b: Workshop; Best practice in legal finance: | |
| 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 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.
Session 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 (second run)
This is a second opportunity to participate in the session that was first run in the morning; 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.
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.
Booking your place
Booking places for you and your colleagues couldn’t be easier. Simply download and complete this form, and email it to lexcelmatters@recognisingexcellence.co.uk
Get In Touch
We’re happy to answer your questions about the event. Just send us an email or give us a call.