LAW2021 Online: Family Law (Summer)

This event is now available as a recording and includes:

• A high quality 4 x 1 hour pre-recorded video and audio broadcast (topic titles are listed below)
• Q&A – watch the 1 hour recording of the “Shape The Debate” Q&A session with the speakers. This is your opportunity to hear our experts answering attendee questions on both the pre-recorded content and general day to day Family Law issues
• LAW2021 Online: Family Law Exhibition – claim an additional hour of CPD, via a choice of webinar from our Webinar Learning Library worth £35+VAT
  
  

Topics covered include:

Children Proceedings and Domestic Abuse – The Fundamentals and Key Issues

Presented by Safda Mahmood

Many children cases will involve elements of domestic abuse. This session will consider the following key matters:

• Fact finding hearings and use of PD12J
• Controlling and Coercive Behaviour and Fact Findings
• When will the court list for a fact finding?
• Consideration of PD12J and Interim orders
• Use of Participation directions and Vulnerable Persons
• Emergency Protection orders and interim care orders - use of exclusion provisions
• How does the Domestic Abuse Bill of 2021 impact on children law cases?
• What is the position with cross examination and proposed changes to funding?
• Proposed Changes relating to Domestic Abuse Protection Notices (DAPN) and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPO)
• President’s guidance on compliance with child arrangements orders in light of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Special Guardianship Order Developments and relationship with Adoption and Child Arrangements Orders

Presented by Safda Mahmood

This session will aim to provide an update on recent developments and the following topics will be discussed:

• Developments of Special Guardianship Orders
• The Assessment Process
• What is the position with Parental responsibility under an SG order?
• Is there a need for the proceedings to be extended or do you conclude on care orders?
• Special guardianship order versus child arrangements orders and adoption - what are the differences?
• Consideration of the Best Practice Guidance of 2021
• Party Status and Representation of Special Guardians

Grandparents and Contact

Presented by Elissa Da Costa-Waldman MCIArb, Barrister

Sadly many grandparents become estranged from grandchildren when their adult child’s relationship breaks down. There is an underestimation of the level of support grandparents can give their grandchildren and their role as allies to children in the crossfire of relationship breakdown (as well as when relationships are going well!). Given the asset that grandparents can be., particularly within a family dispute, how can any estrangement be rectified? This conference looks at what grandparents can do to ensure a continuing and supportive role for their grandchildren against a backdrop of disputant parents.

• The role of grandparents and their importance
• Is it always necessary to apply to the court or can mediation work?
• Should parties engage in Child Inclusive Mediation?
• Funding legal costs if court is the only option
• How to make an application to court – seeking permission
• What are the grandparents applying for?
• On what bases does the court exercise its discretion?
• Case Law

Parental Alienation

Presented by Elissa Da Costa-Waldman MCIArb, Barrister

Parental Alienation (PA) can often be a very serious barrier to contact between children and the absent parent but is not well understood. Often and wrongly described as a syndrome, practitioners require a better understanding of what it is, how it manifests in various disputes regarding children, the impact it has on the children involved and their wider family as well as and what we, who practice in family law, can do about it.

• Is it PA or just simple hostility? How to tell the difference
• The reasons children may be resistant to contact with the absent parent
• Is PA a syndrome? If not – what is it? Definition of PA
• How do we recognise PA?
• Managing clients’ expectations – the alienator and the alienatee
• How to deal with it moving forward in a case
• Impact on the children – Obtaining expert evidence
• Referrals, Intervention and Support – what is available?
• Case Law – will courts order a change of residence in cases of PA