IHL conference, 22 September 2026
We are busy planning our next inhouse lawyer conference which will take place on 22 September at the Innside Hotel on First Street, Manchester. This is the 15th year we have hosted our ever-popular event for the North-West inhouse lawyer community.
We are pleased to announce our itinerary for the day:
- A panel discussion with perspectives from four General Counsel across several topical issues and themes
- A contract law update on recent cases highly relevant to inhouse lawyers
- A session from Dan Kayne on creating legal functions “with value” in the age of AI
- The practical and legal issues you need to know in respect of a cyber breach co-hosted by cyber specialists, CYFOR
Whilst places at our conference are limited, if you aren’t already on our mailing list for the event and have an interest in attending, please use the comment box below to fill out your contact information and we will contact you. Or, if you know someone who would be interested, please share our newsletter with them and we will be pleased to contact them directly.
If you would like to discuss anything in this article further, please contact:

Paul Jonson

Sarah Bazaraa
IHL top priorities
The role of an in-house lawyer is constantly transitioning. What was once considered a function of legal advisors has developed into a broader strategic commercial role. Emerging themes across 2026 include spearheading the responsible use of AI, developing an in-house team brand, and driving down costs and increasing profitability of the business.
The Employment Rights Act 2025
The Employment Rights Act 2025 has introduced significant reform across a number of different areas of employment law, including zero-hours contracts, unfair dismissal, statutory sick pay and maternity leave rights.

From text to terms: contract formation in WhatsApp communications
Key elements of an enforceable contract have been long-established in contract law. However, the method by which formation of a contract takes place has had to move with the times from hard-copy documents and wet ink signatures to electronically executed contracts.
Next in line for the IHL seat is NES Fircroft’s Clare McNulty. Clare is the Legal and Commercial Manager for the UK, EU and Africa. NES is the world’s leading engineering recruitment provider spanning many sectors across Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables to IT and Manufacturing.
IHL conference, 22 September 2026
We are busy planning our next inhouse lawyer conference which will take place on 22 September at the Innside Hotel on First Street, Manchester. This is the 15th year we have hosted our ever-popular event for the North-West inhouse lawyer community.
Our Pannone x IHL is designed to bring you the latest news and legal developments relevant to in-house lawyers. If there are any areas you would like more information on or if you have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to let us know via our feedback form or get in touch with any member of our team.
Copyright in this publication is owned by Pannone Corporate LLP and all rights in such copyright are reserved. Pannone Corporate LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with number OC388393. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. A list of members is available for inspection at the registered office, 378-380 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LY. We use the terms “partner” to refer to a member of the LLP.



