Devon Resolution Conference 2016 – Promoting best practice in Devon

On 19 and 20 May we enjoyed the second Devon Resolution Conference. The main day was day 2. We had 120 delegates and a significant proportion of Family Lawyers in Devon.

This was our second conference. When I was elected Chair of Devon Resolution for a second three year term (after a break of two years), I wanted to really reinvigorate what we do. I thought holding an annual conference was a good place to start. We could attract better speakers and we could do something helpful for all of our members.

This year we were able to attract an even more stellar list of speakers than last year. Here are a few of our Committee with our Divorce and Finance Discussion Panel

Back Row: Members of the Devon Resolution Committee: Tracy Lambert (Tozers)  Vikki Martin (Wolferstans) Will Giles (Nash and Co) Ian Walker (me) (Ian Walker Family Law and Mediation Solicitors) (Chair – Devon Resolution)

Front Row: Valentine Le Grice QC – 1 Hare Court; Nigel Shepherd – Mills and Reeve (National Chair of Resolution); Rhys  Taylor– 36 Bedford Row; Professor Rebecca Bailey – Harris 1 Hare Court; Margaret Heathcote – Bishop and Sewell (Resolution National Committee); Liz Trinder – Professor of Socio-legal Studies University of Exeter; Sue Jacklin QC – 1 Garden Court (Chair of Family Law Bar Association); Sir Peter Singer – 1 Hare Court (Retired Judge and leading Arbitrator)

Our Keynote Speaker was Her Honour Judge Robertshaw

Our Designated Family Judge: Her Honour Judge Robertshaw was our keynote speaker. Here is Judge Robertshaw making her presentation overlooked by Nigel and Margaret.

Our other speakers

Our other speakers included Andrew Bagchi QC – 1 Garden Court who gave a presentation on best practice in children cases; Gillian Bishop – Family Law in Partnership who ran a workshop for our Collaborative Family Lawyers; Sue Candy – Psychologist – Psychology Associates made a presentation about the needs of children and Anna Gough – Psychologist talked about cases going through our fledgling Devon Drug and Alcohol Court; Janice Thomas Costs Lawyer – Nash and Co trained on legal aid and John Hind – Compass Resolution ran a workshop on getting the most out of round table meetings;  Chris Iveson of BRIEF ran a workshop on avoiding burnout.

All of our speakers were truly expert and excellent.

Day One – 19 May – A who’s who of Devon Mediation

Day one was a more low key affair. Chris Iveson- Therapist and Trainer and the coach presented a day course entitled: Igniting Hope: A Solution Focused Approach for Collaboration and Mediation.

The attendees were a who’s who of Devon Family Mediation.

Chris has developed a therapeutic model which is brief but also very effective. We will certainly be able to take elements into our mediation practice. I forgot to take any photos though!

Thank You

A big thank you to everyone who took part; Our speakers, our delegates; the team at Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre; The Devon Resolution Committee, the conferences sponsors and the national Resolution admin team.

I didn’t get a shot of the whole Committee, but here is a picture of the last of us to leave: Vikki Martin, Will Giles, Me, Angela Timbrell (Woolcombe Yonge), Mark Smith (Stephens Scown), Viv Bell (Nash and Co and Chair of Devon Young Resolution) and Tracy Lambert.

Our Treasurer Fiona Yellowlees (WBW) helped a great deal with the admin, and other committee members Vicki Lewis (South West Mediation) Rebecca Wilson (Dunn and Baker) and Jess Pitt (Foot Anstey) also helped including on the day.

Conference 2017?

We need to recover first, but all the feedback was good, so probably…  watch this space!