Knowledge & resources

In this article from The Review, David Lister, Chair of YRes, reports back on the YRes Conference 2019.

The introduction, development and evolution of new methods of resolving family disputes for changing families means there is a need for us all to look at how we communicate as members of Resolution; with our clients, with other members, with our clients’ former partners if they are not represented by a lawyer, with other members of our clients’ families, with other non-member lawyers, barristers, judges and more widely within the family justice system.

The LAA is now publishing more detailed provider information which will be updated monthly.

The LAA have provided an update on the Civil Legal Advice telephone service.

Most practitioners have a good relationship with the LAA but sometimes things do go wrong and you can’t seem to resolve the issue.

The LAA updated its guidance in October 2019 to include counsel high cost payment on account scenarios.

Separated migrant children have improved access to legal aid from 25 October 2019.

Anarkali Musgrave, barrister at Coram Chambers, acted for the children’s guardian in Re: L. She will discuss a general update on the case, including a look at parental alienation and the test for a change of residence before and after McFarlane LJ’s judgment. The talk will discuss timelines and features of litigation and help solicitors to identify cases of parental alienation and intractable hostility, and to determine which tactics to deploy during a matter.

The Resolution policy and procedure for members who wish to raise concerns about colleague members.

Members of Resolution's DR Committee, Karen Barham (Barlow Robbins) and Mary Raymont (Advantage Mediation), discuss the process for becoming an accredited family mediator.

In particular, they cover: Routes to accreditation (focus on FMC route), deadlines to accreditation, FMCA requirements - new mediators, FMCA competencies - case studies, reflective report and observations, outcomes of the accreditation process.

Suzanne Kingston, Withers, and Karin Walker, KGW Family Law and Chair of Resolution's DR Committee, discuss the current practice of Family Arbitration.

In this podcast Suzanne Kingston, Withers, and Karin Walker, KGW Family Law and Chair of Resolution's DR Committee, discuss finding the right and appropriate process option for your client. It discusses:

Kitchen table, mediation, round table – lawyer led negotiation, collaborative, arbitration, litigation, in particular they focus on mediation and collaborate practice.

In this podcast Joanna Blakelock, KGW Family Law, and David Emmerson, Anthony Gold, discuss how to develop your practice as a mediator. In particular, they discuss:

Skills of a mediator, how you apply them and how you approach the training, the involvement of experts in the mediation process, setting out the difference between legal information and legal advice to clients, how to approach safeguarding matters and how to explain mediation and other DR processes with clients in a first meeting.

Resolution's National YRes Committee, represented by YRes Chair Sarah Green, TLT Solicitors, YRes Secretary Joanna Blackelock and Matthew Gosnell, KGW Family Law, present the YRes keynote speech at the Resolution Dispute Resolution Conference in Nottingham.

The presentation focuses on the changing face of family law looking at:

the recent history of family law
the current climate of family law and the problems facing families today
what clients may want from family lawyers in the future
the training and tools necessary to help meet clients' demands.

Resolution has been at the cutting edge of specialist family practice for more than thirty-five years. However, external forces, changing family relationships, law reform and new and disruptive technologies challenge the traditional ways of working with our clients. How can you use the Code of Practice to make your practice modern, relevant and needed by offering a new approach which attracts business and is both profitable and less stressful for you?

Mary Shaw and Georgie Hall look at ways to approach first meetings and process options to achieve satisfied clients and increased business.

This talk from Rein Sikveland is based on internationally leading research developed at Loughborough University, which identifies how small changes in the language and words we use can have a major impact on the outcome in workplace interactions. He focuses on what communication strategies work with mediation clients, including how to explain mediation. He also address strategies to manage resistance when stakes are high.

Dr James Warner spoke at the Children and Family law forum, this interactive session explored some of the common mental illnesses and how they affect mental capacity. Delegates developed an understanding of how to spot mental illness in clients and what to do if they suspect incapacity due to mental illness

This guidance has been jointly agreed between Resolution and The Law Society. Particular thanks and acknowledgements are recorded here to The Law Society and Resolution

Clive Weir reports on the latest news regarding the reforms to public sector pensions.