BDLS Annual Dinner

19 April 2024

Highcliff Marriott, Bournemouth

BDLS President, Michael Newbold, hosted our Annual Dinner at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel on Friday 19 April. The evening was a great success with 193 guests from the law attending.

The evening commenced with welcome drinks, followed by a delicious three course dinner. Jamie, the magician, wowed the guests throughout the evening with his sleight of hand tricks, leaving jaws dropped and minds blown!

We were fortunate and thankful that Michael Mansfield KC agreed to be our guest speaker. He didn’t disappoint and had our guests captivated and on the edge of their seats. You could hear a pin drop!

Michael’s commitment to social justice and human rights has made him one of the UK’s most respected and influential barristers. As well as representing those wrongly convicted of the IRA's Guildford and Birmingham pub bombings, Michael’s well-known cases have been representing the Stephen Lawrence's family, Michael Barrymore at the Stuart Lubbock inquest, the gangster Kenneth Noye, the families of the Grenfell Tower fire and Bloody Sunday, Mohamed al-Fayed in the inquest into the deaths of his son Dodi al-Fayed and Diana, Princess of Wales, and the family of footballer Emiliano Sala.

He recounted his time representing the families of the Hillsborough disaster and Barry George who was wrongly convicted and subsequently acquitted of the murder of Jill Dando which was fascinating to hear.

His passion about Palestine and other war-torn countries was very apparent and he encouraged people to read his new book Power in the People.

Michael informed the guests of his charity, Silence of Suicide www.sossilenceofsuicide.org, which he and his wife, Yvette, set up to support those bereaved by suicide, those that have attempted suicide and those with suicide ideation, following the tragic death of his daughter, Anna, in 2015. He is dedicated and passionate about building awareness around poor mental health and suicide and providing a safe space for people to gather and talk.

I think all at this event will wholeheartedly agree that Michael is an inspiration!

A huge thank you to our sponsors Review Solicitors, College Chambers, Head & Wheble, Index, Paragon and PKF Francis Clark and were delighted that representatives were able to join us as distinguished guests.

Next year’s dinner will take place on Friday 25 April 2025. Please note this date in your diaries. Full details will be sent out in due course.