The Second Margaret Thatcher Centre Rule of Law Conference

About this event

The Margaret Thatcher Centre is delighted to announce details of its second Rule of Law Conference at Gray’s Inn on Monday, 18 May 2026.

For Margaret Thatcher, the rule of law was of equal importance to freedom and democracy, and yet in Britain today, basic concepts such as natural justice, due process and innocence until proven guilty are no longer at the heart of a legal system that denies too many access to justice. Two-tier justice seems increasingly commonplace.

This conference will focus on the threat to jury trials, the growth in powers of the state and regulators, and a discussion around how together, we can look to reshape policy in this most critical of fields through a series of keynote addresses and panel discussions led by leading jurists, academics, politicians, practitioners and opinion formers.

Confirmed keynote speakers and panellists include:

• The Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KBE PC KC, Former Lord Chancellor
• The Rt Hon The Lord Garnier PC KC, Former Solicitor General
• The Rt Hon The Lord Wolfson of Tredegar KC, Shadow Attorney General
• Professor Lord Blackwater MA PhD (Cantab) FRHistS, Biographer & Journalist
• Katie Lam MP, Opposition Assistant Whip
• The Rt Hon Steve Baker FRSA, Former Minister of State for Northern Ireland
• Professor James Allan, Garrick Professor Law, University of Queensland
• Francis Hoar, Barrister, Field Court Chambers
• Steve Barrett, Barrister & Broadcaster
• Alex Deane, Barrister & Senior Managing Director, FTI Consulting
• Stephen Hackett, Barrister, 3 Hare Court
• Daniel Berke, Director, 3D Solicitors
• Kerry Underwood, Senior Partner, Underwoods Solicitors
• Lucy Connolly, Free Speech Advocate
• Graham Linehan, Writer & Free Speech Activist
• David Oldroyd-Bolt, The Danube Institute
• Mohamed Amersi, Founder, The Amersi Foundation

Tickets: £95 (to include conference, lunch and a 1 hour drinks reception)

Dress Code: Business Attire.

Registration: 9.30am.

The conference will run from 10am – 5pm, finishing with a 1 hour drinks reception until 6.00pm.

Attendance priority is given to existing supporters and past attendees at Margaret Thatcher Centre events.

Right of admission is reserved.