The need to consider Non Court Dispute Resolution in every family breakdown is greater and more pressing than ever.Â
In a number of judgments, courts have shown their readiness to use their new powers to make costs awards against parties who have not engaged with alternative forms of dispute resolution. Have lawyers kept pace? What should we be doing more of, less of, or differently?
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We invite you to join us for a thought provoking evening with Matthew Richardson, Nicholas Allen KC, Hannah Budd and Joanna Gosling. They will consider the changing landscape of family law and how much of a disruptor it is to family practice as we know it. How does the requirement to mediate, square with the business model of family lawyers? And how do lawyers best serve their clients in this brave new world?
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This will be a great opportunity to catch up with peers and we would be delighted if you could join us for drinks and canapes after the session.
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We look forward to seeing you there. Space is limited, please RSVP to secure your place.
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Sir Nicholas Francis was appointed a High Court Judge of the Family Division in 2016 and returned to Chambers on the 7th May 2024.
Nick was one of the pioneers of the private FDR process before he was appointed a Judge of the Family Division in 2016 and he will again be accepting appointment as a Private FDR Judge and also as an early neutral evaluator in private law children cases.
Nick was one of the first to qualify as a Family Law finance arbitrator when the IFLA scheme was launched in 2012 and he will again be accepting appointment as an arbitrator.
Hannah is a Partner at Rosefield Divorce Consultancy. Prior to being a divorce consultant Hannah was a family law solicitor for over 15 years.
As a divorce consultant Hannah gives her clients objective assessments of their situation and the options available to them. She helps clients identify the solicitor best placed to advise them and helps guide them how to work most effectively with their legal team, often working closely alongside the solicitor as the matter progresses.Â
Hannah works with clients to demystify the legal process, plugging the gaps between legal advice and the nuances of their situations and practically and emotionally helping clients to implement the strategy underpinning their cases.
 I am a barrister and a mediator. As a barrister I specialise in financial remedy and family property cases including divorce, the separation of unmarried people (TOLATA), the interests of wider family members, and financial support for children (Schedule 1).
As a mediator I specialise in family disputes across all areas of family law, including but not limited to family finances, the arrangements for co-parenting children, and the involvement of wider family members relating both to finances and children.
I also offer the following services as a dispute resolution specialist:
Private FDR adjudicator
Early neutral evaluation
Neutral evaluation and consultation within mediation
Drafting documents such as pre- and post-nuptial agreements, separation agreements, parenting plans, and consent orders
I am a member of Resolution and the Family Law Bar Association.
For more from me, please visit my website: richardsonmj.com
Nicholas specialises in high value matrimonial finance work. He is well known for his eye for detail, his knowledge of the law, and for his client care skills. He is Joint Head of Chambers (with Alexis Campbell KC).
Nicholas was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2018. He was appointed a Deputy High Court Judge assigned to the Family Division in October 2021 and is also a nominated Judge of the Court of Protection. He was previously appointed a Recorder of the Family Court in 2016. He was elected a Bencher of The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple in 2021.
Nicholas is highly ranked in both the Chambers UK and Legal 500 directories. He is ‘Band 1’ ranked in the new ADR table in Chambers UK 2024 published in October 2023.
