2016 line up announced following success of 2015 Case Management Conference!

Following the overwhelming success of the 2015 Ashtons Legal Case Management Conference, the event will be returning for its third consecutive year at The Hilton Coventry on 24th November 2016.

Summary of 2015 conference

The 2015 event was even bigger and better than before! Once again it was kindly sponsored by the fantastic team at Towry with profits this time donated to charity via the Ashtons Legal Charitable Trust.

The ever popular Rob Horner chaired the event with knowledgeable insight into his experiences combined with witty quips and light hearted notions. Rob chaperoned us all on the day’s journey filled with knowledge and insight into the challenges, changes and champions we all work with on a daily basis.

Sir Mark Hedley kicked things off regaling us with his tales and experiences as a High Court Judge and expressing the issues surrounding the question of capacity. Tom Cook followed with a detailed evaluation of the Whiten Judgement and its impact on our decisions and positions today. The difficulty of property purchases and managing client and family expectations was a matter addressed by Adrian Mundell. The need for co-operation and communication between client, case manager and Deputy being paramount throughout not only the purchase, but all aspects of the Deputyship to ensure that we are all singing from the same hymn sheet.

Taking centre stage and definitely stealing the show was former member of the RAF Dale Clark, who was tragically injured in a car accident which left him wheelchair bound and with a severe brain injury. Despite his trials and tribulations, Dale delivered his speech with grace and good humour, discussing failures, fears and frustrations that are familiar to all of our clients. Dale went on to explain how his case management and therapeutic input has impacted his life in a truly positive manner. Dale’s speech embodied why we all do the work we do and the raucous applause that followed could not have been more deserved.

Dale was truly a tough act to follow and this challenge fell to Kate Egerton of Leigh Day Solicitors who provided us with a detailed and in depth analysis of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. This unpopular item of legislation has become an obstacle many of us have had to overcome or circumnavigate. However hope is on the horizon with draft new legislation surrounding “protective care” due in 2016.

Kate Palmer of Children’s Legal Practice provided us with a highly informative and relevant talk on the transfer many of our younger clients are undergoing from Statements of Special Educational Needs to the new Education, Health and Care Plans. Kate provided vital information regarding the review process and completion of these forms to ensure that our client’s receive the provision and support they require throughout their education. I will reiterate Kate’s key point that if the ECHP is not sufficient then it needs to be challenged for review, and that this review should be the provision in entirety, not just schooling.

Wrapping up the day was Ashtons Legal Injury Partner capably demonstrated the importance of having litigation managed by a specialist and knowledgeable Personal Injury solicitor. Providing the shocking differences in proposed claim amounts and what can actually be received under expert guidance in terms of rehabilitation, outcomes and settlements. The emphasis being that these are real people’s lives that are affected and the right solicitor can make all the difference.

The day would not be complete without the support of our fantastic exhibitors including: new stands from The OT Practice, The London Orthotic Clinic, ILS Rehabilitation Solutions and Life Resolutions Ltd. We were also very pleased to welcome back several returning exhibitors including CBS Consultancy, Towry and Recolo UK Ltd. And finally, to name but a few we look forward this year to welcoming back again GM Coachwork Group, Richard Partnership for Care and Solutions Property Finders, all of whom were quick off the mark to sign up again and secure their 2016 exhibition spaces!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who attended and made it such a huge success. Profits of £2,500.00 were donated to the Ashtons Legal Charitable Trust thanks to your support and we were delighted to contribute towards donations made by the Trust at the end of last year to the following worthy causes:-

• The British Liver Trust
• Jimmy’s Night Shelter in Cambridge
• Suffolk Accident Rescue Service
• St. Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich
• The Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds

Looking ahead to the 2016 Conference

This year’s conference will include a family inspired theme, with confirmed speakers including Senior Judge Denzil Lush; expert on capacity Tim Farmer of TSF Consultants; and David Fisher, Catastrophic & Injury Claims Technical Manager at AXA Insurance. Click here for full details about the event.

We will be building further on our success to make 2016’s conference the best yet. Spaces go quickly and diaries fill up therefore we implore you to save the date (24th November 2016 at The Hilton Coventry) and book early to avoid missing out on what will be another highlight of the conference calendar! Please contact Toby Whittacker-Cook to book a place or for further information.

Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing again this year!