National Conference 2026 – Workshops

Session 1         Session 2         Session 3

Session 1 – Thursday 21 May, 3.50-5.10pm

Workshop A

Tax round up for family lawyers – where are the traps and how to avoid them

Speakers: Rebecca Fisher and Tim Gillett

From 6 April 2023 there has been a new rule book for CGT on divorce.  The changes were sweeping and significant. Join us to explore the changes introduced and the practical implications of them, as well as considering other tax traps that might arise.  There will also be an overview of the changes introduced in the 2024 and 2025 Budgets, including changes to income tax rates on savings and dividends and the new ‘mansion’ tax.

Workshop B

29 Bedford Row and 1 King’s Bench Walk

Barristers from both Chambers will host a lively debate in this ever-popular workshop run by our headline sponsors.

Workshop C

Beyond the brief: Practising law with heart

Speakers: Yaa Dankwa Ampadu-Sackey, Raminder Khasriya and Amean Elgadhy

Resolution’s Code of Practice calls on members to act with integrity, promote constructive approaches to family disputes, minimise conflict, and prioritise the needs of children and families. This interactive workshop brings those principles into sharp focus by exploring kindness and empathy as practical and professional tools in everyday legal practice.

Against the backdrop of an emotionally demanding and often adversarial profession, delegates will reflect on how emotionally intelligent practice can reduce conflict, strengthen client relationships, and support professional wellbeing. Through discussion, reflection, and realistic scenarios, participants will consider how small, intentional acts of kindness can improve communication, build trust, and lead to more constructive outcomes.

Workshop D

Essential legal aid update

Speakers: Elspeth Thomson and Samantha Little

This workshop provides a much-needed opportunity for legal aid practitioners to come together, share experiences and receive clear, up-to-date guidance on the most pressing issues affecting legal aid work. In a climate where demand is high and resources are stretched, it is more important than ever for legal aid lawyers to feel supported, informed and confident in navigating this challenging area of practice.

Delegates will receive an overview of recent developments, with a focus on key areas that continue to generate difficulty in day-to-day work. The session will cover domestic abuse gateway issues, high cost cases and the effective use of experts, alongside practical advice on managing costs. We will also highlight common billing pitfalls and how to avoid them.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have a clearer understanding of current expectations, funding pressures and opportunities to maximise costs while delivering high-quality legal aid services.

Workshop E

Mastering the fact-finding hearing: Building stronger cases together

Speakers: Bibi Badejo, and actors Ben Gardener-Grey and Isabel Patterson

Using a case study, this workshop guides delegates through the anatomy of effective case preparation and advocacy. Working step by step through the life of the case, the session explores early allegations, schedules, evidence gathering, statement preparation, and witness handling, demonstrating how each decision impacts the overall strength of the case at hearing.

The workshop combines clear, practical instruction with actors to demonstrate key advocacy techniques in action. Each topic is broken down to expose the strategic thinking behind the choices made, enabling delegates to understand not only what to do, but why it works.

Workshop F

Anti-racist practice and allyship within the family justice system

Speakers: Millie Kerr and Lore Riedel

This workshop will be grounded in the lived experiences of Black and global majority families. We’ll explore everyday examples of inequity, stereotypes, racism and privilege and how they can shape decision making and assessments. Participants will gain practical strategies to consider privilege and progress allyship: through reflective discussions on differences, culture and amplifying marginalised voices. With ideas on actions that can be taken forward into the court room and practice. In addition, we will explore ways in which you can challenge racism and discrimination, using professional influence to promote equity. Developing your cultural awareness, to create fairer systems that respond to the realities of children and families navigating structural and racial inequalities.

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Session 2 – Friday 22 May, 10.00-11.20am

Workshop G

Cohabitation law: The dawn of a new era

Speakers: Jemma Pollock, Samara Brackley and Keith Walsh

The workshop will take you through the proposed reforms of cohabitation law and what you should be advising clients right now. We will cover:

• The current position with the Government White Paper and, if it has been published before the workshop, a summary of the proposed changes and Resolution’s response;
• Key themes of reform including domestic/economic abuse and financial provision for children;
• A comparison of the current and potential new law in practice using a case study to highlight the main differences for clients; and
• Tips on how to ‘get ahead’ of any change in the law and what to advise your clients in the interim period.

We will also look at comparisons with Scotland and Ireland, including experiences from Ireland in introducing cohabitation law and how NCDR can be brought to the forefront during reform.

Workshop H

Financial remedies after Standish: Navigating complex issues in modern practice

Speakers: Alison Bull, Philip Barnsley and Nicholas Allen KC

Join our expert panel as they take a practical look at the Supreme Court’s ruling in Standish as well as a few of the emerging and topical trends in Financial Remedies that you are or are likely to face in your day-to-day practice. Using case studies and practical scenarios, the panel will introduce and discuss all these issues as well as inviting comments and questions from delegates on the following:

• The Supreme Court’s decision in Standish
• Opportunities for protecting family wealth
• Areas of uncertainty to be aware of
• Transparency and the Family Court
• NCDR
• Costs and Conduct
• Experts and Daniels v Walker applications
• Earning capacities
• Appeals

Workshop I

Practical updates and perspectives on supporting our victim-survivor clients in 2026

Speakers: Katy Duff, Caroline Glass and Fiona Turner

This workshop will provide members with practical updates from two different professional perspectives on supporting victim survivors of domestic abuse. We will be joined by Fiona Turner, Head of Vulnerability, Financial Inclusion and Capability at UK Finance and private domestic abuse consultant, Caroline Glass.

We will learn how financial services are supporting victim-survivor clients both during and after the conclusion of family law proceedings. We will share insights on recent developments and ongoing policy discussions which are shaping the financial services sector’s response to financial and economic abuse.

We will examine approaches to risk profiling of perpetrators, the deconstructing of relationship histories to recentre the narrative from victim to survivor and the importance of language to victim survivor perspectives. Our conversation will centre on how we as practitioners can use all of these insights to best work with, represent and advocate for our victim-survivor clients in 2026.

Workshop J

Inside NCDR: one family case, four non-court pathways

Speakers: Tristan Harvey MCIArb, Cathy Sousa, Angela Lake-Carroll and Elaine Richardson

This interactive, in-person workshop explores the full range of Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR) options through the lived experience of a fictional divorcing couple and their young children. Using a shared case study, four leading NCDR professionals will demonstrate how mediation, collaborative practice, arbitration and neutral evaluation can each support separating families in different ways.

The panel will bring the case to life by walking delegates through the assessment stage and then showing how different processes may be selected, adapted and combined to meet the family’s needs. Particular attention will be given to child-focused, trauma-informed practice, early legal advice, and maintaining dignity, autonomy and safety where there may be conflict, power imbalance or allegations of domestic abuse.

Through live discussion and audience interaction, the workshop highlights how practitioners can work within integrated NCDR options to help families make constructive progress while staying out of court.

Workshop K

Pets in the family justice system: Divorce, domestic abuse and the case for reform – in collaboration with YRes

Speakers: Christina Warner, Estella Newbold-Brown and Sadie Glover

As pets become ever more central to family life, disputes over their future on relationship breakdown are becoming increasingly complex and increasingly urgent. This interactive session, led by leading experts in the field including Christina Warner, Estella Newbold-Brown, and Sadie Glover, examine not only the current legal framework but also the growing movement for reform through the campaign for Ruby’s Law. Join us to discuss live case experiences, the limitations of the current system, and how family law professionals can contribute to meaningful legislative change.

Workshop L

The bank of Mum and Dad and trusts in family law

Speakers: Natasha Holme, Millicent Benson and Dan Beattie

This is a practical, interactive session exploring the vital role of trusts in family law, from basic principles to complex dynastic structures. With cohabitation on the rise and parental financial support now a major factor in property purchases, understanding trusts is essential for family lawyers. This workshop will guide you through common scenarios, recent case law, and practical tips for dealing with intervenors and multi-party ADR. We’ll also tackle the challenges of family loans, trust disclosure, and offshore structures, using real-life examples and audience participation.

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Session 3 – Friday 22 May, 2.20-3.40pm

Workshop M

Enforcement of foreign financial orders

Speakers: Andrew Campbell, Lisette Dupré and Michael Allum

A practical session covering the enforcement of foreign financial orders in England and Wales post Brexit. The sessions will cover enforcement of maintenance orders made in EU member states prior to 1 January 2021 under the EU Maintenance Regulation, enforcement of maintenance orders under the 2007 Hague Convention, enforcement of maintenance orders from countries not members of those conventions, and enforcement of non-maintenance financial orders. The session will also cover procedural aspects (for both direct and indirect enforcement) and practical guidance for practitioners when dealing with enforcement applications.

Workshop N

Pathfinder perspectives: Collaboration, challenge and change

Speakers: HHJ David Crowley and Angela Killa

A panel discussion which brings together the West Wales judicial lead on Pathfinder, a CAFCASS representative and an experienced solicitor to explore the Pathfinder Pilot from three crucial perspectives. Together, they will examine the successes and challenges of the Pilot so far, including its emphasis on early information-gathering and reducing adversarial conflict. The discussion will consider what is working well, where improvements may be needed, and how differing professional roles shape the way each panellist sees the process.

A key focus will be whether the Pathfinder model is truly amplifying the voice of the child and ensuring that their experiences, wishes and safeguarding needs remain central. By contrasting judicial insight, social work understanding and advocacy experience, the panel will offer a rounded and reflective look at the Pilot’s impact and what its future could mean for families and practitioners.

Workshop O

Better support for neurodivergent families and children

Speakers: Jenny Beck KC (Hon), Alia Lewis and Caroline Croft

Around 1 in 5 people are thought to be neurodivergent, and the incidence of neurodivergence may be even higher in those who are passing through the family justice system. It is vital that family practitioners can recognise and respond to issues of neurodivergence and this session will offer targeted and practical guidance for practitioners when supporting neurodivergent families and children. Jenny Beck KC (Hon), Alia Lewis and Caroline Croft are founding members of FLANC (Family Law Advice for the Neurodivergent Community) and will use this session to:

• Highlight the key considerations and issues around neurodivergence that practitioners should be aware of;
• Introduce the tools and guidance available to support practitioners and neurodivergent children and families;
• Support and empower practitioners to recognise and respond to issues of neurodivergence in their practices; and
• Reflect on what further steps are needed to ensure that we are all supporting neurodivergent children and families in the right way.

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