Oasis & Kent Law Society Conference: Domestic Abuse and the Law

Kent Law Society and Oasis Domestic Abuse Service are delighted to present the 2026 conference on domestic abuse and the law. Join us for a day of insight, collaboration and learning as legal professionals and specialist practitioners come together to exchange knowledge and perspectives. The event is designed to deepen your understanding of domestic abuse and its impact, strengthen your ability to represent victim‑survivors effectively, and provide insight into how organisations like Oasis can support your clients in practice.

Following the successful Oasis legal conference in 2024, this event returns with a multi‑disciplinary programme that brings together expertise from lawyers, the police, academia and frontline domestic abuse services. It offers a great opportunity to step back from day‑to‑day practice and gain practical knowledge that can be directly applied to your work.

Repeating a popular theme from the 2024 conference, we will also be focusing on protecting the welfare of professionals working in this emotionally challenging field.

Why attend?

This conference is designed to support lawyers working in family, criminal and civil law by helping you to:

• Advise clients with greater confidence and sensitivity, informed by trauma‑informed practices
• Understand how abuse impacts clients’ decision‑making and engagement with proceedings
• Navigate complex issues involving children and safeguarding more effectively
• And explore alternative and complementary legal routes, including compensation claims.

Whether you regularly deal with domestic abuse cases or encounter them occasionally, this conference will enhance your knowledge and give you the building blocks for better outcomes for your clients.

Programme highlights

We will be joined by experts in their field, including Kristina Massey, lecturer at Canterbury Christchurch University; Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Banks, Head of Public Protection and VAWG lead at Kent Police; Jacqui Sansom, Burnout Prevention & Recovery Coach; Danielle Georgiou, Oasis Head of Children and Young People in Medway, and Laura Giachardi and Sian Smith of 42BR. 

Speakers will address topics including:

• A child’s lived experience of domestic abuse
• The physiology of abuse and the impact of trauma on a client’s ability to present their best case
• Violence against women and girls from a policing perspective
• Alternative claims for victims, including personal injury and CICA claims
• How domestic abuse should be addressed in financial remedy proceedings
• Lawyer wellbeing when working in the domestic abuse field.

A delicious lunch and refreshments will be provided, with ample opportunity for discussion, reflection and networking throughout the day.

All funds raised through ticket sales will support Oasis Domestic Abuse Service’s vital work across Kent, helping those living in fear to build a safe new life.

The event is kindly sponsored by 42BR Barristers and supported by the Westgate Hall.

Further information

This is an accessible venue. For more information, please visit www.westgatehall.org. Parking is available in the adjacent Pound Lane car park. The venue is a 10 minute walk from Canterbury West station and 15 minute walk from Canterbury East station.

If you have any questions, please e-mail claire.fenley@oasisdaservice.org.

Find out more about Oasis here.