Resolution Awards 2023 – Winners

Winners were announced at our inaugural gala awards night, Wednesday 13 September at Church House, Westminster.

John Cornwell Award

Resolution’s award for outstanding achievement, the John Cornwell Award was presented to David Emmerson OBE of Anthony Gold Solicitors, celebrating his commitment to Resolution’s values, including hard-work, innovation and an unrivalled dedication to Resolution whilst raising the profile of the family justice profession.

Members’ Choice Award

New for this year, the Members’ Choice Award, as voted for by Resolution members, was awarded to Graeme Fraser of BBS Law incorporating OGR Stock Denton. Through thought leadership, committee work, training Members, and being a media spokesman, Graeme has trailblazed cohabitation practice and policy and the campaign for cohabitation law reform in England and Wales.

Children’s Champion

The Children’s Champion – sponsored by Our Family Wizard – awarded to those members who champion children’s voices and advocate a child-centred approach to their work, was awarded to Nina Hansen of Freemans. The judges said that Nina has an unwavering passion for championing children in the most complex of cases and her genuine commitment to advocating for young people has earned respect across the family justice sphere.

Community Champion

Our Community Champion – sponsored by Only Mums and Dads – recognises members who have used their professional expertise to make a positive difference in their local community, by putting our Code into practice. This award went to Ravi Kaur Mahey of Duncan Lewis Solicitors. Ravi has overcome significant personal hurdles, and used her own experiences to make the family justice sector a better place for future generations.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Champion

The EDI Champion – sponsored by Cansford Labs – recognises an individual or group driving positive change in equality, diversity and inclusion, was awarded to Scott Halliday of Irwin Mitchell. Scott has championed groundbreaking LGBT+ work in family law and campaigns to better support LGBT+ clients in the family justice system.

Innovation Champion

The Innovation Champion – sponsored by AlphaBioLabs – which recognises members who have taken bold, progressive approaches to benefit clients, their firm or the wider family justice community, went to the Marcie Shaoul of The Co-Parent Way. Marcie has taken bold, progressive approaches to her practice in order to benefit her firm, clients and the wider family justice world. She impressed our judges by showing the positive impact of how her online coaching programme is helping families through separation.

Regional Champion

The Regional Champion, which recognises members or groups who go above and beyond to foster a strong regional network with our Code of Practice at its centre, was won by Ian Walker representing Resolution’s Devon Region. Ian was commended for his wide-reaching contributions to Resolution’s regional community over a number of decades, starting with the Midlands in the 1990s. For more than a decade, Ian has brought the Devon community together through high quality events and training and has acted as a driving force behind a flourishing YRes network in the area.

Wellbeing Champion

This year’s Wellbeing Champion – sponsored by Evelyn Partners – which recognises members who have championed a healthy workplace, prioritising the wellbeing of colleagues, employees and the wider family justice community, was awarded to Matthew Richardson of Coram Chambers. The judges said that Matthew has been a trailblazer for the wellbeing agenda, keeping the conversation going in today’s family justice world.

Working in Collaboration Award

The Working in Collaboration Award, which recognises members who have made a difference to families by working with other professionals, sharing expertise to help clients achieve the best solutions, was won by James Evans of Our Family Wizard. James has made a difference made a difference to separating couples and families by working together with other professionals and sharing expertise to achieve the best outcomes.

YRes Rising Star

The YRes Rising Star Award – sponsored by Coram Chambers –  which recognises members with fewer than 10 years PQE who have demonstrated potential as a future leader in family justice, was won by Leanne Instrall of Brabners. Leanne has demonstrated her potential as a future leader of family justice, and our judges said she was “a role model beyond her years of practice.”