Michelmores announces major 2026 Employment Law Conference
Michelmores has announced the return of its annual Employment Law Conference, a key event for HR professionals, business leaders and in-house counsel navigating the next phase of workplace regulation, risk and reform.
Taking place on Wednesday 18 November 2026, the conference will be delivered as a hybrid event, giving delegates the option to attend in person at Sandy Park Conference Centre in Exeter or join online.
The 2026 conference comes at an important moment for employers, with significant employment law reforms on the horizon and businesses facing increasingly complex people management challenges. From changes to unfair dismissal rights and the growing use of AI in workplace decision-making, to immigration compliance, investigations and evolving legal risk, the programme is designed to help employers understand what is changing, why it matters and how to prepare.
The conference will be led by specialists from Michelmores' Employment and Immigration teams, bringing together technical legal expertise, practical insight and real-world guidance for organisations managing today’s fast-moving workplace issues.
A highlight of the programme will be a session from Jo Mackie, Partner in the Employment team at Michelmores, who is a regular commentator on employment law issues in the media. Jo will examine the forthcoming changes to unfair dismissal, including the reduction of the qualifying service period from two years to six months and the removal of the statutory compensation cap. Her session will consider the practical implications for employers and the steps organisations can take now to prepare and mitigate risk.
The programme will also explore some of the most pressing themes currently shaping the workplace. Rachael Lloyd and Henry Cross will lead a session on workplace challenges in practice, looking at AI, people processes, investigations and paper trails. The session will consider issues including the use of AI in the workplace, effective manager decision-making, handling grievances and investigations, and the importance of clear audit trails and documentation.
Michelmores' Immigration Team, including Lynsey Blyth, Madni Chaudhary and Nicole Hambleton, will provide a practical guide to managing sponsorship throughout the employee lifecycle. Their session will cover the journey from recruitment to departure, including visa applications, right to work checks, sponsor compliance obligations, changes during employment and the key immigration considerations when a sponsored worker leaves the business.
The conference will close with Michelmores' annual Employment Law Update & Round-Up, delivered by Head of the Firm's Employment practice, James Baker, reviewing the most important employment law developments from the past 12 months, including legislative changes, key case law and emerging trends. The session will also look ahead to the issues employers should be preparing for in the forthcoming year ahead.
The event is tailored for General Counsel, HR professionals, business owners and senior managers, and will attract Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
Delegates can attend the conference in person from 08:30 to 13:00 at Sandy Park Conference Centre, Exeter, or join online from 09:00 to 12:00 via a virtual meeting.
For further information or to register, please contact the Michelmores Events Team: events@michelmores.com
