FLBA Conference 2011
Image courtesy of Altus
The FLBA held a successful and well attended conference in Chester today (19 November 2011) at Chester Racecourse.
The conference was chaired by The Honourable Mr Justice Peter Jackson, and speakers included: Christopher Pocock QC, who reminded us that Imerman was not the end of the world, but that in reality obtaining Anton Piller orders is fraught with difficulty and prohibitively expensive for most; Anthony Hayden QC who made forceful arguments for justice in the family courts being done more frequently in public; and Jaci Quennell who gave a moving account of the difficulties and rewards of working with children on the edge of secure accommodation, and described some of the difficulties they experience as a result of inadequate Local Authority care and pathway planning and support.
Conference also heard from double acts Andrew Bailey and Richard Power (the advocates in Jones v Kernott), who pondered whether or not the Supreme Court judgments would quell or provoke litigation; and Gwyneth Knowles QC and Jonathan Butler, who also addressed very frankly some of the inadequacies and inconsistencies in implementation and enforcement of legislation designed to protect children and to ensure that proper plans are put in place to support them into adulthood.
Alex Marsden from BDO gave an informative talk on valuations and outgoing Chairman Stephen Cobb QC updated attendees about current developments in respect of legal aid, the Family Justice Review and Alternative Business Structures.
Mike Waugaman of Straybark, developer of the new FLBA website, gave a presentation showcasing some of the new features of the site and Stephen Cobb QC was given a standing ovation by way of acknowledgment for his dedicated service over the last 2 years.