The UK Centre for Animal Law - A-law

06/06/2026

A huge thanks to Christine and GREY2K USA Worldwide for supporting the UK Animal Law Conference 2026 and for inspiring us and our delegates with your incredible work!

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

More brilliant speakers and moments captured from our first day including our keynote speaker, Kim Stallwood 👏🏼🎬

Thanks so much to our incredible sponsors , Richard Buxton Solicitors, 42BR Barristers, and the Coller Animal Law Forum 🙏🏻 and thank you so much for hosting us 🏫🎓

If you couldn’t make it this year, then please be sure to pencil it in for next year 🧡✨

04/06/2026

Moments captured of our speakers from the first day of the conference 📸⚖️🕊️

04/06/2026

The first day of the UK Animal Law Conference in collaboration with the Multispecies Collective 👏🏼🦁🧡

Featuring a warm welcome from our new Chair and Iyan Offor who has so kindly organised this event.

We began the day with a keynote presentation from Melanie Challenger before commencing our first tea and coffee break ☕️

The parallel themed panels then began featuring multiple speakers and finishing with a Q&A session.

We have a collection of essays on sale from people who personally knew and worked with our founder Paula Sparks, and have shaped their careers around helping animals. So please do come to our stall and pick one up 🤗

We had a wonderful plant-based catered lunch from & we closed the presentations for the day with a keynote presentation from the very well known Kim Stallwood 📚

The day ended with a drinks reception before heading to to continue the fun ✨

Thanks so much to our incredible sponsors , Richard Buxton Solicitors, 42BR Barristers, and the Coller Animal Law Forum 🙏🏻 and thank you so much for hosting us 🏫🎓

02/06/2026

The UK Animal Law Conference 2026 is nearly upon us!

If you’re joining us for the next two days, we look forward to welcoming you to the Arts Building at the University of Birmingham.

Registration opens at 9am tomorrow and day one highlights include keynote speeches from Melanie Challenger, Kim Stallwood, 12 fantastic panel sessions to choose from, followed by a drinks reception and evening dinner for those who have booked a place.

There will be plenty of opportunities for networking and please do say hello to our fantastic sponsors, GREY2K USA Worldwide, 42BR Barristers, Richard Buxton Solicitors, The Coller Animal Law Forum ad the Center for Animal Law Studies.

31/05/2026

📢 UK Animal Law Conference 2026 – Speaker Announcement

With just a few days to go we’re delighted to highlight more of our fantastic speakers for this year’s UK Animal Law Conference.

Dr Helena Howe is a senior lecturer in law at the University of Exeter. Her research lies at the intersection of animal law, environmental law and the law relating to farming and agriculture. Current projects address the interests of ‘farmed’ animals in conservation land management and the issue of dogs with extreme conformations. Helena will present ‘Animal welfare in the Farming and Countryside Programme’.

David Bilchitz is a Professor of Law at the University of Johannesburg and the University of Reading. Apart from his academic writing in animal law, Prof Bilchitz is a director of Animal Law Reform South Africa and has co-taught the first course on animal law in South Africa. David will present ‘How should Animal Protection Institutions be designed?’.

Emma Slawinski is CEO of The League Against Cruel Sports. Previously Emma secured a commitment from the European Commission to end the use of cages in farming, secured the EU ban on the routine preventative use of antibiotics in farming, helped to secure the British ban on the live exports of animals for slaughter, the commitment to phase out the harmful use of animals in science, and the recognition of animals as sentient in law. Emma will present ‘Putting Animals Back Into The Animal Welfare Act’.

Conference details below:

📅 3–4 June 2026
📍 University of Birmingham

Find out more about the conference here: www.alaw.org.uk/animal-law-conference.

The UK Animal Law Conference is co-organised by the UK Centre for Animal Law (A-LAW) based at the University of Birmingham Law School.

With special thanks to our sponsors, 42BR Barristers, Richard Buxton Solicitors, The Coller Animal Law Forum, Center for Animal Law Studies, and GREY2K USA Worldwide.

29/05/2026

📢 UK Animal Law Conference 2026 – Speaker Announcement

With less than one week to go we’re delighted to highlight more of our fantastic speakers for this year’s UK Animal Law Conference.

🐠🗳️Kristina Drogu is a Research Master’s student in European Studies at Maastricht University, pursuing a double degree in Political Science at Cologne University. Her work focuses on EU fisheries governance and environmental decision-making, with particular interest in how legal norms and geopolitical interests shape policy outcomes. She is a volunteer researcher at ICARE. Kristina will present, alongside Marine Lercier 🔷, ‘Politics at the Ballot Box: Direct Democracy for Animal Rights’.

🧑🏼‍⚕️Dr Steven McCulloch is Research Fellow in Veterinary Policy at the London School of Economics and Founder and Chair of Pigs Protection. A European Veterinary Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law, his research examines veterinary institutions, farmed animal welfare, and the governance of food systems, sustainability and meat consumption. Steven will present ‘Farmed Animal Welfare Law and Professional Power: Why Veterinary Policy Matters’.

🐆 Dr Yann Prisner-Levyne is a lecturer in environmental law and public international law at Edinburgh Napier and specialises in international wildlife law. Yann is also involved in a PhD in anthrozoology at the University of Exeter. Yann’s research project deals with the peaceful co-existence of leopards and Rabari shepherds in Rajasthan. Yann will present ‘Is the distinction between animal law and international wildlife law still relevant? A commentary of the case law of the Supreme Court of India’.

Conference details below:

📅 3–4 June 2026
📍 University of Birmingham

Find out more about the conference here: www.alaw.org.uk/animal-law-conference.

The UK Animal Law Conference is co-organised by the UK Centre for Animal Law (A-LAW) and the Multispecies Collective based at the University of Birmingham Law School.

With special thanks to our sponsors, 42BR Barristers, Richard Buxton Solicitors, The Coller Animal Law Forum, Center for Animal Law Studies, and GREY2K USA Worldwide.

27/05/2026

📢 UK Animal Law Conference 2026 – Speaker Announcement

With just one week to go until the conference we’re delighted to highlight more of our fantastic speakers for this year’s UK Animal Law Conference.

🐾 Alice Di Concetto is the Chief Legal Advisor at The European Institute for Animal Law & Policy and a lecturer in animal ethics at Sciences Po (Paris, France). Alice earned a master’s degree in Animal Law (LL.M, 2016) from Lewis & Clark Law School and graduated from Sciences Po (Master in Law, 2015). Alice will, together with Dr. Aude-Solveig Epstein, present ‘Beyond Animal Welfare Statutes: How Law, Markets, and Power Shape the Lives of Animals’.

🌍 Victoria Young is a final year Veterinary Science student at the University of Bristol, with an interest in animal law and veterinary ethics. Her academic focus explores how legal and policy framework can better support advancing animal welfare within broader environmental and sustainability frameworks. Victoria will, together with Eugénie Duval present ‘Where Are the Animals in Climate Change Law? Animal Welfare and National Adaptation Plans’.

🦊 Ellis Witcher, PhD is a trainee solicitor at William Fry LLP in Dublin and is currently studying the Professional Practice Course at the Law Society of Ireland. Before commencing his legal training, he completed a PhD in law at University College Dublin as a Sutherland Doctoral Scholar. Ellis will present ‘Fantastic Mister Fox and the Great Hunt: A Tale of Legislative Failure’.

Conference details below:

📅 3–4 June 2026
📍 University of Birmingham

Find out more about the conference here: www.alaw.org.uk/animal-law-conference.

The UK Animal Law Conference is co-organised by the UK Centre for Animal Law (A-LAW) and the Multispecies Collective based at the University of Birmingham Law School.

With special thanks to our sponsors, 42BR Barristers, Richard Buxton Solicitors, The Coller Animal Law Forum, Center for Animal Law Studies, and GREY2K USA Worldwide.

22/05/2026

📢 UK Animal Law Conference 2026 – Speaker Announcement

We’re delighted to highlight more of our fantastic speakers for this year’s UK Animal Law Conference.

Demi Mullen holds a law degree (BCL) from University College Dublin and is a Senior Associate in the Asset Management team of an international law firm. Demi’s lifelong love of animals (especially dogs) has led to her co-founding Dog Law Ireland and Animal Law Network Ireland.

Rachel Gaffey holds a law degree from University College Dublin (BCL) and a Master’s from Trinity College Dublin (LL.M). Since 2020, she has volunteered with Animal Law Ireland, which provides resources on animal law in Ireland. She also co-founded Animal Law Network Ireland, a group for legal professionals and academics.

Gretta D. is a trainee solicitor in the Dublin office of Kennedys LLP and is currently studying the Professional Practice Course at the Law Society of Ireland. She holds a Master’s in Common Law from University College Dublin. She volunteers with Animal Law Ireland and Animal Law Network Ireland.

Together they will present, ‘Animal Law without Lawyers: The Future of Animal Law in Ireland?’

Conference details below:

📅 3–4 June 2026
📍 University of Birmingham

Find out more about the conference here: www.alaw.org.uk/animal-law-conference.

The UK Animal Law Conference is co-organised by the UK Centre for Animal Law (A-LAW) and the Multispecies Collective based at the University of Birmingham Law School.

With special thanks to our sponsors, 42BR Barristers, Richard Buxton Solicitors, The Coller Animal Law Forum, Center for Animal Law Studies, and GREY2K USA Worldwide.