MLRC London Conference, Sept. 27-29, 2026
Over 200 lawyers from around the world attend the London Conference to discuss comparative developments in media law and policy. The conference also features distinguished speakers from the judiciary, academia, and the press.
Registration
The conference is open to MLRC members and other media lawyers by invitation.
Registration for UK lawyers is £775 Register here. (with credit card)
To pay by bank transfer invoice email: dheller@medialaw.org
Sunday, September 27
6-8pm Delegates Reception at Bloomberg’s London headquarters. 3 Queen Victoria Street (closest Tube stop: Bank Station)
Monday, September 28
The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, WC2A
Morning Sessions
Speech and Q&A: Lord Jonathan Sumption, author and former Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (2012-2018). One of Britain’s foremost public intellectuals and legal scholars, Lord Sumption’s recent book The Challenges of Democracy: And the Rule of Law, analyzes the modern crisis of democratic values across the globe, from the role of state power, human rights, and international law, to free speech and its enemies.
The Media in the Crosshairs
A panel of journalists, legal scholars and academics will comment on Lord Sumption’s talk and opine on the role of the media in the environment of populism, polarization, and rapid technological advancement.
Professor RonNell Anderson Jones, Gavin Millar KC, Janan Ganesh, Financial Times
Lunch at The Law Society
Afternoon
After lunch discussion with litigators at the front lines of trials and litigation: Prince Harry v. Daily Mail.
AI 2030
A panel of lawyers and tech experts will discuss the impact of AI on the law and in the practice of law.
With David Burgess, ClearDraft; Dean Levitan, Minter Ellison; and more.
Based on a True Story: Defending Documentaries and Docudramas
Comparative defamation & privacy issues in “based on true story” docudramas – and discussion on the impact of fictionalization on history
With Stephanie Abrutyn, Dentons; Matthew Dandon, Wiggin; and more
Evening Reception at Houses of Parliament
Sponsored by Hiscox and Wiggin
Tuesday, September 29
Morning Sessions
Q&A with Mrs. Justice Karen Steyn, High Court of England & Wales. Justice Steyn is Joint Head of the Media and Communications List – the specialized docket for defamation, privacy and related claims. She recently presided over the sensational celebrity “Wagatha Christie” Libel Trial involving the wives of two Premier League football superstars.
The Public Interest Defense in Media Litigation
Media lawyers from the UK and Australia on preparing and raising this emerging defense.
With Zoe Norden, The Guardian; Marlia Saunders, Thomson Geer.
Anti-SLAPP Developments in Europe and the UK
With Laura Prather, Haynes & Boone; Charlie Holt, Global Climate Legal Defense; Pia Sarma, The Times; Daniel Simons, Greenpeace International; and lawyer Dan Neidle, who made legal history by winning the first-ever case officially designated as a “statutory SLAPP” in England.
Lunch at The Law Society
After lunch discussion with litigators at the front lines of trials and litigation: Trump v. BBC
Breakout Sessions: Choose your own session:
Media Deals
Internet Regulation
Global Free Speech
US v. Europe: The Growing Divide Over Free Speech, Censorship, Hate Speech & Platform Regulation
Vice President Vance has excoriated Europe for curtailing free speech. Is he right? Is the criticism of European social media regulation well-founded or pure “merde” as claimed by French President Macron? Is it the American Administration which has attempted to quash speech of its political and social opponents? Do European hate speech prohibitions give government too much power over the public’s expression?
Wednesday, September 30
In-house Counsel Breakfast: For in-house counsel only, this meeting focuses on the practical issues faced in counseling media companies.
Our Conference Supporters
Bloomberg
Hiscox
Mutual Insurance
Ballard Spahr
Jackson Walker
Miller Korzenik
Simons Muirhead & Burton
Wiggin
To become a conference sponsor email: dheller@medialaw.org