Resolving disputes and learning new techniques
£200 + VAT (member) / £250 + VAT (non-member)
The required skillset of the modern family lawyer is ever expanding. Our new online conference will consider some of the most important areas that require careful consideration, with topics ranging from economic disadvantage and conducting appeals to arbitration and the language of family law.
Chaired by Alison Edmondson of SKO Family Law, the conference will include contributions from Lucia Clark of Morton Fraser MacRoberts, Sarah Lilley from Brodies, Jennifer Wilkie of Burness Paull, Ruth Croman from Thorntons, Jamie Foulis of Balfour & Manson, Jamie Speirs from the Scottish Child Law Centre, Dr Daniel Carter of Keith Carter Associates and Florence Gibson from SKO Family Law.
What's being covered?
Staying human – the role of language in family law cases
Family lawyers have the challenging task of finding the balance between representing and protecting the people we look after, while also minimising what is often an agonising process for the individuals involved. A lot of that comes down to how we, as family lawyers, say things, act and lead the people we look after towards an altered future. Our input can have a significant bearing on how family problems are resolved, and the impact upon separated individuals going through a legal process. In this session we will: encourage discussion around the use of words and phrases in family cases; discuss our current forms of communication and what we could improve; and consider projects and practices from other jurisdictions to improve family law practices, including the use of language.
Jennifer Wilkie, Burness Paull
Section 11 in 2025 – where are we now?
Sarah will give an overview of section 11 of the 1995 Act before taking a detailed look at judicial decision-making over recent years.
Sarah Lilley, Brodies
Economic disadvantage: past, present, future?
This session will include a summary of case law on economic disadvantage in terms of s9(1)(b) of the 1985 Act, practical tips for dealing with these cases and how Scots Law might evolve.
Lucia Clark, Morton Fraser MacRoberts
The employment cost of marriage
Quantifying the ‘economic disadvantage’ caused to an individual’s career due to marital and childcare commitments presents challenges, particularly when assessing a ‘lost’ career over a 20- or 30-year period, or how this affects their current position on the labour market. This presentation explores the difficulties in quantifying an individual’s past and future lost career and earnings in matrimonial and cohabitation cases, and outlines some of the approaches necessary to provide a comprehensive and fair assessment of their economic loss.
Dr Daniel Carter, Keith Carter & Associates
The right to be heard: taking the views of the child seriously
UNCRC incorporation in Scotland has resulted in a renewed focus on using the views of the child to inform decisions. While many decision makers recognise the importance of taking a child’s views, they can also fall short on actioning these views. This presentation will explore how and why decision makers should be giving appropriate weight and serious consideration to views expressed by children and young people.
Jamie Speirs, Scottish Child Law Centre
Arbitration in family law cases – the theory and the practice
As family lawyers, we are required to direct our clients to consider all forms of dispute resolution. Do you know enough about arbitration to confidently advise? In this session, Ruth Croman will explore the mechanics of using the arbitration process, and consider when that might best be used, and Jamie Foulis will discuss the experience of the arbitration process from the perspective of the representative of a party involved in one and offer some thoughts on the pros, cons, and steps that can be taken to try to ensure that your process runs as smoothly and successfully as possible based on that experience.
Ruth Croman, Thorntons and Jamie Foulis, Balfour & Manson
Appeals: procedure and practical guidance
This presentation will consider the procedural rules applicable to appeals at various levels of the civil appellate court hierarchy and offer some practical tips for preparing appeals, with a particular focus on appeals to the Inner House.
Florence Gibson, SKO Family Legal
