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MLRC European Media Lawyers Conference Belfast June 23, 2025

Dunluce Castle. Bushmills. Causeway Coastal Route. Antrim County, Northern Ireland

Monday June 23, 2025
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Sponsored by A&L Goodbody; Dentons Ireland LLP
Hosted by PwC, Merchant Square, 20 Wellington Place, Belfast BT1 6GE

Continuing MLRC’s series of annual meetings that began in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Dublin, we invite you to join us in Belfast for a full day of discussion and networking. The conference brings together media lawyers from the UK, Ireland, Europe and the United States to discuss comparative media law, strategies to defend freedom of expression, and ways to strengthen the media lawyer community.

Program

9-9.15am
Registration and refreshments

9.15-9.25am
Welcome and Introductions

9.25-9.45am
Opening Remarks by the Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Dame Siobhan Keegan DBE

9.45 – 10.45am
The Judicial Perspective: Trends in Defamation and Media Law
Moderated by: Dr Tony McGleenan KC, Bar of NI
Panelists: Mrs Justice Steyn DBE, High Court England & Wales; Mr Justice Colton, High Court of Northern Ireland; Mr Gerald Simpson KC

10.45 – 11am Break

11am-12pm
Investigative Journalism under Fire: Investigative journalists will discuss reporting on sensitive topics, protecting sources, and guarding their own safety.
Moderated by: Ciaran O’Shiel, A&L Goodbody
Panelists: Gwyneth Jones, BBC Spotlight; Vincent Kearney, RTE; Sean O’Neill, The Times; Allison Morris, Belfast Telegraph

12-2pm Lunch followed by Talk
Media Lawyers and Journalists Under Threat
With Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC. Comments from George Freeman and Dave Heller, MLRC, on Trump, Politics & Retaliation Against the Press

2-3pm
Privacy and Free Speech: In-house Insights: Leading in-house lawyers will discuss current challenges in Europe – from fending off legal claims to striking the balance between the privacy of celebrities, politicians and freedom of expression – as well as their relationships with outside counsel.
Moderated by: Lesley Caplin, Dentons Ireland
Panelists: Pia Sarma, The Times; Adam Cannon, News Group Newspapers

3-4pm
Public Interest Reporting: Views from the Bar. Media law barristers on representing press clients in Ireland and the UK – how to protect whistleblowers and sources; defending against SLAPPs; jury vs. non-jury trials.
Moderated by: Jonathan Scherbel-Ball, 5RB
Panelists: Adrienne Page KC, 5RB; Jude Bunting KC, Doughty Street Chambers; Peter Hopkins KC, Bar of NI; Bobbie-Leigh Herdman, Bar of NI

4-4.15pm Break

4.15 – 5pm Group Discussion of Hypotheticals: Online Speech, AI Models and Copyright
George Freeman and Dave Heller, MLRC

5 – 6pm Closing remarks followed by drinks reception

Registration

The registration is $200 US (approx. 160 pounds / 190 euros) and includes lite breakfast, lunch and reception. Register by credit card here. To pay by bank transfer contact:  lzimmermann@medialaw.org  

We have the following hotel rates for the Belfast conference:

  • Europa Hotel: £110 single room, £130 double room (breakfast included)
  • Grand Central Hotel: £140 single room, £160 double room (breakfast included)
  • Room2: £115
  • These are all within walking distance of the conference and can be booked by quoting A&L Goodbody.

Conference Sponsors

Dentons Ireland LLP

Hosted by