Hunt ADR at The Barrister Group 2026 Spring Conference
On 12th March 2026 Hunt ADR attended, and contributed to The Barrister Group’s Annual Spring Conference 2026, an uplifting event that brought together practitioners from across the Bar and the wider legal services sector to discuss the future of practice.
The conference reflected a strong sense of shared purpose among delegates, with many conversations focused on innovation, collaboration, and the evolving landscape of legal services.
AI in Mediation & Arbitration
A key moment for Hunt ADR during the day was the session “AI in Mediation & Arbitration”, delivered by Gregg Hunt and Kelly Thornton of Hunt ADR.
Their presentation explored the practical implications of artificial intelligence for dispute resolution, including where technology may assist mediators and arbitrators in the future, and where professional judgement and human insight will remain essential.
The session generated considerable interest from attendees who are increasingly recognising that AI is already beginning to influence the way disputes are managed and resolved.
Hunt ADR would like to thank Kelly Thornton (pictured below) for her excellent support and contribution to the presentation.
Client Relationships: Insights from Psychology and Neuroscience
Earlier in the programme, Gregg attended Dr Helen Johnson’s session, “Client Relationships: Insights from Psychology and Neuroscience.”
The presentation offered a fascinating look at how cognitive science and behavioural insights can help legal professionals better understand client decision-making, emotional responses, and trust. These themes resonate strongly with mediation practice, where understanding human behaviour is often central to resolving disputes.
Gregg noted that it was particularly interesting that Dr Johnson referenced the SCARF model in her presentation — a framework also used in Hunt ADR’s pre-course videos for mediator training students. The overlap highlighted an important point: even in highly professional environments, much of effective practice ultimately comes down to understanding people — their feelings, their sense of place, and how best to work with them.
The Network Effect
The conference concluded with a keynote speech by Christina Blacklaws, titled “The Network Effect.”
Christina’s talk highlighted the growing importance of professional networks, collaboration, and innovation within the legal sector, leaving many attendees with new ideas about how the profession may continue to evolve.
Reconnecting with Colleagues Across the Profession
Events like this also provide valuable opportunities to reconnect with colleagues and meet members of the legal community.
During the conference, Gregg was pleased to meet Hunt ADR training graduates Rebecca McKenzie and Danni Drummond-Brassington in person, as well as seeing Ben Rigby outside the local area. There were also opportunities to catch up with Private Arbitration Court arbitrators Julius Nkafu FCIArb and Gordon Tregaskis, reconnect with Harry Hodgkin after many years, and meet Paul King and Samuel Waritay for the first time.
The day also provided a chance to speak with many members of The Barrister Group team and the wider legal community.
Strengthening the Partnership with The Barrister Group
Hunt ADR’s partnership with The Barrister Group is still relatively new, but the warm welcome from colleagues including Stephen Ward, Kevin Morrow, and Felicity Hamilton continues to reinforce the sense of collaboration between the organisations.
With new initiatives and developments on the horizon, the partnership promises to create further opportunities for innovation and professional engagement.