Civil claims arising from Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation are an increasingly significant – and largely unquantified – financial risk to local authority budgets already stretched to their limits.

For the first time, the Solicitors and Counsel who acted for all three local authorities in EGZ; the first known trial of these issues, will come together in one room to share what they learned and what every local authority needs to know.

With growing focus and understanding of Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation local authorities across the country are facing both potential involvement with the Grooming Gangs inquiry against a background of increased claims involving allegations of exploitation.

This event, bringing together the finest minds and greatest breadth of experience in this rapidly developing area of local authority risk will give attendees the rare opportunity to hear from the Solicitors and Counsel who acted for all three local authorities involved in EGZ in one event, with the opportunity to hear from:

• Laura Broadhead, Browne Jacobson – Solicitor for the Second Defendant, Hertfordshire County Council.
• Steven Ford KC, 7BR – Counsel for the Second Defendant, Hertfordshire County Council.
• Michelle Campbell, Essex Legal Services – Solicitor for the Third Defendant, Essex County Council.
• Andrew Warnock KC, Deka Chambers – Counsel for the Third Defendant.
• Kate Prestidge, DAC Beachcroft – Solicitor for the Fourth Defendant, London Borough of Hackney.
• Joanne Hallmark, DAC Beachcroft – Solicitor for the Fourth Defendant, London Borough of Hackney.
• Adam Weitzman KC, 7BR – Counsel for the Fourth Defendant, London Borough of Hackney.
• Christina Lyons, 7BR – Counsel for the Fourth Defendant, London Borough of Hackney.

Attendees will leave with a clear and practical understanding of:

• The specific challenges of handling CSE and CCE claims, including the legal background, duty of care and complexities of multi-agency working.
• How to approach Claimants who have experienced serious trauma, and the practical impact of that on claims handling strategy and conduct.
• The importance of selecting the right expert and rigorously testing their evidence well in advance of trial.
• The session will include a dedicated panel discussion, giving attendees the opportunity to put questions directly to solicitors and counsel as a group. There will also be structured opportunities for networking with peers from across the legal and insurance sectors.

This event is designed for local authority risk and insurance officers and their brokers and insurers. However, the agenda speaks equally to Directors of Legal Services, Directors of Children's Services, and senior leaders who recognise that the strategic and financial decisions made now will define their authority's position when the next claim lands.

Register now

Our in-person and online events are designed exclusively for clients and targets. As such, we reserve the right to cancel bookings. If you’d like to speak to a member of the team regarding your attendance, please contact us.