BIALL Conference 2025
The BIALL Conference Committee is delighted to open the Call for Papers for the 55th Annual Conference and Exhibition and it will take place at The Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, 12th – 14th June 2025.
Our theme is Playing a Blinder: Moving Forward in the City of a Thousand Trades
Based on the results of the BIALL Conference Survey for 2024, the Membership expressed an interest in the following topics. We would therefore like to invite submissions from the following areas:
AI & Innovation in relation to:
- Practical solutions in the workplace/case studies
- Practical application/insights in academic institutions
- Rolling out legal technology
- Diversity
- Ethics
- The environmental impact
Practical sessions on:
- Supplier management/contract negotiations
- Horizon scanning
- Finding company and legal information in other jurisdictions e.g. Ireland, Jersey, BVI, Cayman Islands etc.
Other topics:
- Early career sessions – talks for people new to the profession
- SQE – Panel to discuss preparing students, apprentices & trainees for the SQE (academic and law firm)
- Trainees & Solicitor Apprentice training
- Issues affecting information professions working with Barristers
- Knowledge Management (KM)
How can I participate?
Here’s an outline of the sessions available in the conference programme:
Plenary session
An in-depth presentation on a subject, delivered to a larger audience, of 1 hour including Q&A. Presentation slides or technology tools may accompany your talk.
Parallel session
Practical sessions to smaller groups, ideally interactive or workshop based to encourage discussion. Sessions last 40 minutes including Q&A. Presentation slides or technology tools may accompany your talk.
Lightning talks
An informal platform to share new developments, projects, or tips in 15 minutes or less. This is suited for ‘How-tos’, ‘Case study summaries’, Best practice tips, or innovative ways of using products. We only accept submissions delivered by one speaker.
What can we offer?
For an individual Plenary/ Parallel speaker, we can offer 1 day delegate package (1 day’s attendance, 1 night’s hotel accommodation, £100 honorarium and up to £150 travel expenses).
Please note these offers will differ for 2 or more speakers.
For individual Lightning speakers, we offer 1 day delegate package (1 day’s attendance, 1 night’s hotel accommodation and up to £150 travel expenses).
Please note we do not accept more than one speaker for lightning talks.
Turning your idea into a proposal
If you are interested in presenting a talk then fill in the appropriate form on the BIALL 2025 Conference website. You’ll be asked to submit the following information:
Biography
The abstract should be accompanied by a short biography of 150-200 words, outlining relevant professional experience, any publications or papers delivered at previous conferences, seminars or training events.
Presentation abstracts
Please include a brief description of the content, the key points you wish to share, and tools you will use to deliver the session.
If you aren’t sure about your proposal or haven’t presented before and would like some advice, or would like to consult with us before submitting, please do contact a member of the programme committee: Caroline Stafford, Jackie Hanes or Niamh Hanratty
BIALL Conference Proposal Workshop
Do you have an idea for a conference session but need help getting started with your proposal? Join us for an informal workshop explaining the conference process from call for papers to final delivery. We’ll explain the conference timeline, types of sessions, application process and speakers’ packages. You can also ask questions of and discuss your conference idea with members of the conference committee. The online session will run from 12pm on Friday 11 October. Please contact [email protected] if you’d like to attend. Everyone is welcome.
BIALL is committed to diversity and inclusion, and we encourage proposals from first-time speakers, early career professionals, and members of the BAME and other under-represented communities and sectors.
Proposal forms should be submitted no later than Friday 1st November 2024 to BIALL Conference Committee Chair
The Committee looks forward to receiving your submissions.
