Wednesday 6 May 2026

 

📍 Venue: Brabners LLP, 100 Barbirolli Square, Manchester M2 3BD

🕔 Time: 09:30 - 19:00

 

This event is an opportunity to hear from and network with leading voices in family law practice and academia as they tackle the biggest questions facing the future of our field. 

 

What's in store?

 

Join us in lively debate as we hear three, interactive panel discussions tackling fundamental questions for the future of our field. 

 

Our event proudly features leading family law KCs, academics and other key voices in the field as panellists. We are thrilled to be joined by the commissioner for property, Family and Trust Law - professor Lisa Webley, who will address the conference on engagement with the Law Commission to ensure your voice is heard in reform. The event will feature discussions and panels involving Bárbara Mills KC and Charles Hale KC of 4PB, Helen Brander of Pump Court Chambers and Elizabeth Darlington of 1GC Chambers. Those esteemed practitioners will speak alongside leading academic voices, Dr Rachael Blakey and Professor Ruth Lamont. We will draw upon multi-disciplinary specialism from Dan Sutton of Tower Forensics, who will share his technological forensic expertise. 

 

We believe there is untapped potential for positive change with collaboration. The Family Law Reform Now network intend to bridge the gaps between these disciplines for this purpose. Your voice is important. You're invited to join in. Therefore, this event is free to attend. 

 

Special thanks go to our event sponsor Tower Forensics. 

See below for the full agenda.

Register here

Agenda

 

09:30 Registration opens


10:30 Welcome & Introduction


10:35  How practitioners and academics can engage with the Law Commission 

Professor Lisa Webley,  University of Birmingham; Law Commissioner for Family, Property and Trusts.

 

10:50 Panel #1:. Standards of evidence in a world of deepfakes and AI. Is the Family Court ready, or do we need change? An interdisciplinary response 

Panellists include:

Dan Sutton, Director at Tower Forensics

Professor Ruth Lamont, The University of Manchester; Houses of Parliament Research Lead for Crime & Justice

Helen Brander, Barrister at Pump Court Chambers

12:20 Lunch break 


13:30 Panel #2: If NCDR is the future, we are already there. How to keep innovating? 

Panellists include:

Dr. Rachael Blakey, University of Warwick

Barbara Mills KC, Barrister at 4PB

 

14:45 Coffee break


15:15 Panel #3: TOLATA/Cohab reform

Panellists include:

Professor Andy Hayward, University of Durham

Elizabeth Darlington, Barrister at 1GC


16:00 In Conversation with Charles Hale KC


16:30 Drinks, canapés & networking

 

Speakers