Resolution pays tribute to Jane Wilson

I’d like to pay tribute to Jane because her contribution to family law was stellar! Among her many achievements, Jane was a long-standing, enthusiastic and integral team member of the national Resolution Committee, where she was the national secretary. Claire Easterman describes Jane as an “all round good egg”!

Jane was also chair of Resolution’s Domestic Abuse Committee and an accredited specialist family lawyer in domestic abuse. She was an author of Domestic Abuse: Practice and Precedents published by The Law Society and she trained untold numbers of family justice professionals about DA.

Jane was also Resolution’s Director on the Family Mediation Council. One of her fellow directors, Caroline Bowden, described Jane as a “gentle warrior for mediation”. Helen Anthony, the executive officer of the FMC said on behalf of the FMC that, “The mediation community is in a better place for having had the privilege of counting Jane among its members, and she will be sorely missed”.

I first met Jane because we both worked as family lawyers and mediators in the Northwest and our paths crossed on local cases. Jane was a senior partner at Hall Smith Whittingham solicitors, whose offices are in Crewe and Nantwich. I know that the firm was incredibly proud of Jane’s unwavering work ethic, impeccable reputation and innovative achievements, particularly being instrumental in the design and delivery of the Family Matters Scheme.

Jane described the family department at Hall Smith Whittingham as special, and dedicated to those clients in need, and that it was a strong, supportive and bespoke service for all clients. She took pride in being able to preserve, continually strengthen and grow the department.

Jane always found time to lend a helping hand or offer a kind word of encouragement to her colleagues (me included, because I was just starting on my mediation career when I first met her).

Together with two other local family mediators, we spent two years giving presentations about mediation to court staff in all the courts throughout Merseyside and Cheshire. My fond memories of Jane are that she was incredibly kind, generous of spirit, dedicated and had a deeply held drive to help those in need. She also had a great sense of humour and it was a real pleasure to spend time in her company.

Throughout Jane’s career she exemplified professionalism, dedication, and a passion for family law. Her contributions were not only pivotal to the success of numerous projects, but she also brought a kind, warm and welcoming spirit to the workplace, creating a positive and inspiring environment for everyone.

Jane will be remembered for her kindness and the impact she made on the lives of those who were fortunate to know her. Her absence will be profoundly felt by all who had the privilege of working with her.

Beyond work, Jane was a devoted wife, mum and grandmother and our deepest condolences go out to Jane’s family during this difficult time.

elaine@richardsonfl.com

“The go-to expert”: The FMC’s tribute
“Jane had a stellar career as a mediator, family lawyer and leading contributor to the world of family law as a whole, especially mediation practice and domestic abuse.

Jane trained as a mediator in 2010, became a PPC in 2014, and particularly enjoyed her work as a Child Inclusive Mediator. She was a pioneer and an innovator, playing a huge role in introducing mediation to the families of Cheshire and beyond. She was wholly motivated by her Christian faith and values. She showed great courage, single-mindedness, compassion, imagination and intellectual acuity in how she developed projects. One of her most significant achievements was when she led the DWP Mediation in Mind project. She worked incredibly hard to promote the project in her local area, and to draw in other professionals to provide a truly holistic response for vulnerable families

Her concern for the survivors of domestic abuse was also paramount, whether forging links with local survivor support groups, writing Resolution’s Domestic Abuse Toolkit, or being the go-to expert for Domestic Abuse training and commentary.

As a lawyer, she commanded respect – as exemplified by the comments of a fellow family lawyer: “Sshe was so smart and sensible… you could pick up the phone to her. Good to work with even from the other side of the table. She represented what family law should be about.

Jane carried out her mediations firstly through her legal practice at Hall Smith Whittington. When she left, she was a hugely valued sessional mediator for the Family Mediation Centre, Staffs, and worked hard to replicate her previously funded projects on a voluntary basis within the local community.”

Claire Easterman, Resolution Director of Operations

“Jane was an absolute pleasure to work with and gave up an incredible amount of time for the benefit of our members and their clients. Across her many roles at Resolution, she brought a steady hand, incisive thinking, a passionate commitment to doing the right thing, and – equally as important – fun and laughter. She left such a positive mark on the organisation, and we miss her very, very much.” 

Dave Emmerson

“Jane Wilson was Resolution through and through. She was a key member of the Dispute Resolution committee for many years and played a very important role in discussions on behalf of Resolution and the FMC. A mild and charming exterior hid her determination and steeliness when dealing with difficult problems. Jane was always charming company and spoke often of her family, who must miss her terribly.”

Karen Barham

“I had the privilege of serving on the National Committee with Jane for several years and we spent many hours together creating Parenting after Parting with Liz Edwards and James Pirrie. Wise, kind and generous with her time, Jane was a quiet and effective force for good. She must have devoted thousands of hours to serving Resolution, the Family Mediation Council and leading research and other noble projects. She also had “the day job” assisting untold numbers of clients and their children, all of whom will have benefitted from her advice, support and involvement in their lives. The world was a much better place with Jane in it, and our hearts go out to her three beloved daughters; I hope they are comforted by the high regard in which Jane was held.”

 Helen Anthony (FMC and FMSB)

“Jane was a thoughtful but determined advocate of the mediation process, and made similarly considered contributions to the FMC board and its work, particularly relating to domestic abuse. Quite apart from her impact, Jane was also always mindful of those around her, was incredibly kind and had a quiet but excellent sense of humour, making her a pleasure to work with.