Family Law

London, Monday 26 June 2017

The implications of the UK's departure from the EU in the family law context, from both domestic and the international perspectives cannot be underestimated. This conference, led by the International Association of Family Lawyers in conjunction with the Family Law Bar Association of England and Wales and Resolution, will provide essential training for all family lawyers. It will consider all of the key the family law implications of the UK Referendum one year on.

Expert opinions and practical guidance will be given by leading lawyers, academics and family judges and there will be ample opportunity for attendees to raise questions and exchange ideas.

This unique and timely international symposium is open to all family lawyers and family law professionals within the UK, Europe and worldwide. You need not be a member of the IAFL, Resolution or the FLBA to register. The conference programme includes a full day of lectures and discussions from 9am until 5pm followed by networking drinks and canapés from 5pm-7pm.

Book early to secure your place. The one-day conference includes:

• Keynote speech from Lord Justice Moylan, Sir Moylan was appointed to the Court of Appeal in March 2017. Called to the Bar, Inner Temple, 1978 (Bencher 2007). He was Junior Counsel to the Queen’s Proctor between 1997 and 2000. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2000 and a Recorder in 2002. He was authorised to sit as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2004. He was a Judge of the High Court of Justice, Family Division, from February 2007 and served as Family Division Liaison Judge for the North Eastern Circuit between 2008 and 2015. LJ Moylan will explore the issues for the Judiciary generally and consider transitional provisions including what the role of the European Court will be going forward. 

• A view from the Hague - Philippe Lortie: Can the Hague Conventions take over from European instruments? Where does this leave us as family lawyers?

• Relocation and abduction - The Impact of Brexit on Families and Children - What should family practitioners know now? David Williams QC & Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE QC (Hon), Nuala Mole and Anna Worwood. They will discuss a case study involving an abduction case with the subsequent application to relocate and will consider the implications of that in the context of Brexit. 

• Divorced, but still family? – Will the UK truly 'break' from Europe? An academic perspective. Dr Jens Scherpe (fellow of Gonville and Caius College Cambridge) and Dr Ian Sumner (Netherlands) (Voorts Legal Services)

• Enforcement – the impact of Brexit on the enforcement of child and family maintenance orders (incoming and outgoing). Michael Wells-Greco (Switzerland) (Charles Russell Speechlys SA) and Ruth Innes (Westwater Advocates)

• Territorial Units or Countries? Rachael Kelsey (Scotland) (SKO) and Karen O'Leary (Northern Ireland) (Caldwell & Robinson Solicitors) will discuss the impact of Brexit from their perspective. 

• Heavy Fog in Channel: Choices, problems and opportunities after Brexit, Tim Scott QC (29 Bedford Row Chambers) and Philip Marshall QC (1 King's Bench Walk) 

• The Morning After the Night Before: Europeans Waking up to Brexit, Alberto Perez Cedillo (Alberto Perez Cedillo Spanish Lawyers and Solicitors), Isabelle Rein-Lescastereyres (France) (BWG Associes) and Dr Daniela Kreidler-Pleus (Germany) (Dr Kreidler-Pleus und Kollegen) 

• The Sound of Brexit: So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu! Eleri Jones (1 Garden Court)

The lectures will be followed by the panel debate: The Big Question chaired by William Longrigg (Charles Russell Speechlys LLP) with the following specialists on the Expert Panel: Tim Amos QC (Queen Elizabeth Building), David Hodson OBE (International Family Law Group LLP), Mark Harper (Hughes Fowler Carruthers), William Healing (Alexiou Fisher Philipps), Nick Bennett (Farrer & Co) and Jennifer O'Brien (Irish Family Law Chambers).

In the August and September issues of Family Law Suzanne Kingston, Partner, Withersworldwide, will provide a full summary of the content of the conference together with any top tips for practitioners.