Talking Family Law – the Resolution Podcast

Listen to Resolution’s podcast, with guest experts discussing topical issues in Family Law, with our hosts Simon Blain and Anita Mehta.

We have now recorded over 40 episodes. Each episode is a deep dive into a particular aspect of family law. We cover general training as well as topical issues across the full spectrum of family law, from financial remedy and intervenors to abduction, private, and public law.

In each episode, we ask our guests to explain what the law is at the date of recording. This includes the leading authority or relevant statute, practical tips, and thoughts for reform. Expect lively debate and personal insights. We encourage our guests to take part in open discussion as a way of providing legal commentary, on the understanding that no one is held to the views expressed on the podcast. Next week, they may argue the opposite on behalf of their clients.

We hope the podcast gives you a sense of what Resolution is all about, and that you consider joining us if you like what you hear. More importantly, this is our way of giving back to the family law community. Whoever you are, and wherever you’re based, this podcast gives you access to insights from the country’s leading experts. There is no need to pay a fee or travel to hear them speak. Instead, you can simply download the episode and listen on your way to work.

All we ask in return is that you share this link to the podcast with a friend or colleague who might be interested.

We were thrilled to be shortlisted for the Family Law Commentator of the Year award at the 2023 LexisNexis Awards. We were even more thrilled to win it in 2024!

Hosts Simon Blain and Anita Mehta with Resolution staff at the LexisNexis Awards 2023

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DISCLAIMER:  Nothing in any of the episodes is supposed to constitute legal advice.  We invite our guests to express personal views by way of legal commentary, this may differ from how they put their client’s case.

No liability is accepted for any error or omission about the law in respect of a particular topic.

S5 Episode 6: YRes Takeover: The five questions you really want to ask, but feel you can’t

About this episode

Hosted by:  Abigail Whelan and Natalie Dunn

Guests:  Alison Bull and Philip Barnsley

Further information

In this episode, Anita and Simon kindly passed the reigns to YRes members Abigail and Natalie to pick the brains of Alison Bull (Partner at Mills and Reeve) and Philip Barnsley (Partner and Head of Family at Higgs) regarding questions posed by other YRes members.

Referred to by many as Resolution Royalty, Alison and Philip are both experts in their field, having hosted the finance update at Resolutions National conference for several years.

The episode starts by considering some of the signs to look for when domestic abuse is an issue in a case, including when the clients themselves don’t recognise it.  Alison highlights the importance of asking domestic abuse screening questions and shares the following resources:

Phil then goes on to discuss conduct in financial remedy proceedings, whether we should plead it and the practical implications of doing so, as well as the different schools of thought currently developing through case law.

Cases mentioned:

  • N v J [2024] EWFC 184
  • Tsvetkov v Khayrova [2023] EWFC 130
  • LP v MP [2025] EWFC 473
  • Wei-Lyn Loh v Ardal Loh-Gronager [2025] EWFC 483
  • OG v AG (Financial Remedies: Conduct) [2020] EWFC 52

Other resources mentioned:

Alison and Phil also consider Form E preparation and the importance of case strategy generally, as well as pitching capital needs and income needs budgets. Alison notes, anecdotally, the difference in approach between contested proceedings and mediation and questions to what extent AI might change things.

Cases mentioned:

  • AH v BH [2024] EWFC 125

The episode concludes with discussion around spousal maintenance and the difficulties many face when advising clients given the uncertainty of the current law.

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