The President of the Law Society, Mr Michael Robinson, is delighted to announce that Mr Michael Caplan QC – solicitor to General Pinochet and Kate and Gerry McCann – will be the keynote speaker at an event which will consider and discuss the rapidly changing environment in which lawyers now work and in particular the advance of solicitor advocacy. Mr Caplan is a well-known and highly respected solicitor advocate practising in the areas of domestic and international, criminal and regulatory law. He is one of the few solicitors to have been appointed QC. He has been a partner at Kingsley Napley for 30 years. Mr Caplan has been described as one of the most formidable lawyers of his generation. He has been featured as the only criminal solicitor in the Times 100 most powerful lawyers in the UK. He is a member of the Sentencing Council and the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee. Mr Caplan is a former chairman of the Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates. He has been a part-time judge (Recorder) in the Crown Court for many years and is authorised to sit as a Deputy High Court Judge. Mr Caplan is also a chairman of the Police Appeals Tribunal. He has written and lectured on a number of important topics and is regularly asked to comment on topical legal issues by the media. He is ranked in Chambers and Partners UK legal directory in the fields of Crime, Criminal Fraud and Professional Discipline, contributors to the guide describing him as "diligent", "impressive", "incredibly supportive and utterly dependable". Mr Caplanis well known for having represented Augusto Pinochet in extradition proceedings. He maintains an extradition practice advising both individuals and foreign governments. Sources in Chambers and Partners 2011 say that Mr Caplan"has a phenomenal reputation in extradition". He was also the solicitor engaged by Kate and Gerry McCann following the disappearance of their daughter Madeline McCann. Mr Caplan is a frequent contributor to radio and television. In addition to Mr Caplan’s contribution, the event will also cover the introduction of the draft Solicitors’ Practice (Amendment) Regulations 2013 and the Solicitor’s (Rights of Audience in Higher Courts) Regulations 2013 together with some practical guidance for solicitor advocates. This event provides a unique opportunity to hear from Mr Caplan - “one of the most formidable lawyers of his generation”. Demand is expected to be high so places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. |