My name is Megan Giblin, and I attended the Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL) Annual Conference in November 2024 as a delegate sponsored by The University of Law. I am currently studying the Postgraduate Diploma in Law at The University of Law, Moorgate, having completed my undergraduate degree in Law with Social Justice at University College Dublin. I have secured a training contract at Clifford Chance, where I will soon begin as a trainee solicitor. My main academic and professional interests focus on the regulation of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, which naturally drew me towards regulatory and disciplinary law.
Before attending the ARDL Annual Conference, my understanding of regulatory and disciplinary law was shaped primarily through my studies. At University College Dublin, I studied a module titled ‘The Lawyer, Professional Ethics & Legal Practice,’ which explored ethical responsibilities and the tensions lawyers face between commercial pressures and professional duties. My interest in regulatory frameworks deepened significantly during my academic exchange at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, where I studied ‘Emerging Technologies: Law, Policy and Governance.’ This course examined complex regulatory challenges surrounding artificial intelligence, algorithmic discrimination, and cybersecurity. The insights I gained during this exchange inspired me to pursue my current Master’s in Public Policy at King’s College London, where my dissertation specifically focuses on regulating artificial intelligence, with particular emphasis on deepfakes in political contexts.
Attending the 2024 ARDL Annual Conference profoundly elevated my understanding of regulatory and disciplinary law by bridging theory with practical insights. Two sessions in particular stood out, as they closely aligned with my academic and professional interests.
The first particularly captivating session was ‘Regulation of Legal Services AI in Law Firms’, presented by Jessica Clay, partner at Kingsley Napley, and chaired by Catriona Watt from Anderson Strathern. This session tackled the highly relevant issue of how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal practice and how regulators are responding. The speakers provided an insightful overview of the UK government’s current stance, highlighting key developments such as the recent UK White Paper and specific regulatory guidance issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). What captured my attention most was their exploration of the difficult balance regulators face between promoting innovation within legal services and rigorously safeguarding ethical standards and professional responsibility. By examining the SRA’s principles and code of conduct, specifically those sections directly affecting AI implementation in firms, the discussion illustrated how regulation can simultaneously foster technological progress and manage potential risks. As someone deeply interested in the intersection of technology and law, I found this session especially valuable for understanding how AI can be integrated responsibly within the legal sector.
Equally impactful was the session titled ‘Regulation of Financial Services’, with James Alleyne from Kingsley Napley and chaired by Rosemary Rollason. It explored the Financial Conduct Authority’s evolving approach to non-financial misconduct following high-profile cases such as Jon Frensham1 and Zahedian.2 This discussion highlighted a marked regulatory shift, showing that the FCA now interprets non-financial misconduct, including personal misconduct unrelated directly to financial duties, as fundamentally indicative of an individual’s integrity and suitability to work within regulated sectors. This represented a significant evolution in regulatory thinking, sparked by wider societal shifts, such as the #MeToo movement, prompting reflection on professional integrity beyond purely financial misconduct. It underscored for me the increasingly blurred line between personal and professional ethics, reinforcing the idea that integrity is holistic and indivisible. The session prompted me to reflect critically on broader ethical responsibilities extending beyond professional duties, reinforcing the importance of holistic integrity, a principle I will carry forward into my professional practice.
However, the session that left the strongest impression on me addressed the critical issue of supporting neurodiverse individuals within the legal system. Presented by Jodie Blackstock of Garden Court Chambers and Katie Maras, Deputy Director of the Centre for Applied Autism Research at the University of Bath, this session profoundly expanded my perspective on access to justice. Katie introduced a ESRC-funded project she is leading aimed at improving autistic individuals’ experiences within the criminal justice system. As part of the project, the team produced an incredibly impactful video that vividly illustrated the difficulties autistic people might experience when interacting with police, courts, and legal processes. Additionally, Katie explained new practical methods developed by the team, such as the ‘Witness-Aimed First Account’ interview technique. This approach improves communication by enabling autistic witnesses to recall events in structured, manageable segments, significantly enhancing accuracy and reducing stress. The session reinforced not only the urgent need to adapt legal procedures for neurodiverse individuals but also highlighted the importance of a diverse legal profession that can effectively identify, advocate for, and implement these necessary changes.
Attending the 2024 ARDL Annual Conference was an incredibly impactful experience, especially as a future solicitor learning directly from accomplished legal practitioners, judges, and regulatory experts. It provided invaluable insights into regulatory law and professional discipline that significantly deepened my understanding beyond what I had encountered academically. The conference not only brought me up to speed with recent regulatory developments but also immersed me in current debates and practical challenges shaping the legal profession. I am confident that the insights, professional connections, and deeper awareness I developed through this experience will directly inform and strengthen my practice as I begin my legal career.
1 Jon Frensham v The Financial Conduct Authority [2021] UKUT 0222 (TCC).
2 https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/final-notices/ashkan-zahedian.pdf