The Denning Lecture 2026

Jointly hosted by BACFI and the Employed Bar Forum

'Navigating the Ethical Dilemmas of the Employed Barrister - what can the public and private sectors learn from each other?'

Speaker:

Dame Susanna McGibbon DCB, KC (Hons), former Treasury Solicitor and former Permanent Secretary of the Government Legal Department

This year’s Denning lecture will explore the dilemmas that in-house lawyers sometimes face in meeting their obligations to their client whilst fulfilling their professional ethical obligations.

• How do the different roles of in-house lawyers help or hinder?

• What are the limits of legal professional privilege?

• Ethics v morals?

• Some reflections on the latest developments in guidance and regulatory action

After 33 years of government legal practice, Susanna will offer personal insight into the role of the in-house lawyer and compare potential differences between public and private sector bodies.

5.30pm: doors open

6pm: Lecture

7pm - 8pm: Reception