The Right Honourable Dame Siobhan Keegan, Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland
Conference Chair
Mrs Justice Frances Judd
High Court Judge since 2019. Family Presiding Judge on the Western Circuit.
Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division
Dr Gemma Halliwell
Gemma is a mixed-methods researcher with a specialist interest in domestic abuse and sexual violence. Her research is grounded in experience of working frontline within the domestic abuse and sexual violence sector/s and reflects her commitment to survivor-led co-produced services. Gemma led the 'Keeping Secret's' research, which was the catalyst for the Bluestar project and has developed the Bluestar Pre-Trial Therapy training and accreditation programme with Emma Harewood. Gemma is the CEO of the Green House. The Green House is a specialist support service for children, young people and families living in Avon and Somerset who have experienced sexual abuse. The Green House team believe in creative evidence-based support services led by the voices of young people and their families. Their specialist services are designed to grow connection and community with families who have experienced sexual abuse and have a creative arts focus. Research guides everything Gemma does, in understanding the Green House service, developing best practice nationally in the sector and as a platform for amplifying survivors voices.
Emma Harewood
Dr Charlotte Edney
Ms Sam King KC
Prof. Andy Bilson
Andy is Emeritus Professor of Social Work at the University of Central Lancashire, adjunct professor at the University of Western Australia. He is co-chair of the Parents Families and Allies Network. He was previously director of the Council of Europe's observatory on children's rights. He has undertaken international research and consultancy on child rights and alternatives to care with many governments and organisations. He currently focusses on child protection trends and policy, and on parent advocacy in child protections.
Dr. David Robinson
Darren Howe KC
Thomas Rodwell
HHJ Stephen Wildblood KC DFJ
Nicholas Allen KC
Stephanie Snow ISW
Tina Cook KC
Beth Tarleton
HHJ Edward Hess
His Honour Judge Edward Hess sits as a Circuit Judge at the Central Family Court and is also a Deputy High Court Judge.He is the Lead Judge at the London Financial Remedies Court and the Deputy National Lead Judge of the Financial Remedies Court.He is the Chair of the Editorial Board of the Financial Remedies Journal, co-author of the Dictionary of Financial Remedies and Pensions on Divorce: a Practitioner’s Handbook, and is the author of the Standard Family Orders Handbook (Volume 1 – Financial and Enforcement).
Joe Rainer
David Lockett
Claire Moore
Mr Justice Peel
Robert Peel was born in Singapore, and brought up partly in Africa and partly in England. He was called to the Bar in 1990, took silk in 2010, became a Recorder in 2010, a Deputy High Court Judge in 2016 and was appointed to the High Court Bench (Family Division) in October 2020. Whilst at the Bar, he was a general common lawyer at 29 Bedford Row before specialising in financial remedies work. In April 2022 he was appointed National Lead Judge of the Financial Remedies Court, and Judge in charge of Standard Orders. He is a Bencher of Middle Temple.
Elizabeth Darlington
Elizabeth is a barrister at 1GC | Family Law, having practised for over 20 years from chambers in Yorkshire. She is also an arbitrator, mediator and FDR evaluator. Her practice focuses on the financial consequences of relationship breakdown and property disputes between family members. Elizabeth is the author of a number of highly regarded practitioner texts including Cohabitation and Trusts of Land. The fourth edition, published by Sweet and Maxwell, is due out in 2023. Elizabeth was elected to the Family Law Bar Association national committee in 2021 and sits on its Finance and Property Sub-Committee.
Samantha Hillas KC
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