AnnualReport2014

2

Contents

From the Chair andChief Executive

03 05 06 08Resolution in the media

Committeehighlights

10 12 14 16Around theregions

The year inpictures

18 20 22 23Financialoverview

Our NationalCommittee

25 26 27Our thanks tovolunteers

YRes – the nextgeneration

Family Matters

Influencinggovernment

Code of Practice

What ourmembers say

Training andprofessionaldevelopment

Meet theResolution team

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From the Chair and Chief Executive

2014 saw Resolution buildon and consolidate ourachievements of previousyears. We launched newproducts and servicesdesigned to supportmembers and continued ourcommitment to shaping thelegal environment in whichour members work.

In this report you’ll readabout the successes we’veachieved for our membersas well as what they havebeen doing to promoteResolution’s Code.

Here are just a few things we achieved together in 2014:

n We’ve campaigned and lobbied for measures to help our members and theirclients, meeting with senior ministers, MPs and advisors to shape policy and developed our own Manifesto for Family Law, which was launched inFebruary 2015.

n A sell out National Conference in Manchester attracted almost 400 members,and we held our most successful DR Conference yet.

n Our third national Family Dispute Resolution Week reached over 28 millionpeople through national print, TV and radio coverage – including the front pageof The Times.

n We surveyed our members to help shape the single family court and addressdifficulties members and their clients are experiencing.

n We led the way in promoting alternatives to court, including playing a leading role on the Family Mediation Council and the mediation task force set up bygovernment.

n New member benefits, including the online Resolution Precedents for ConsentOrders, available to every member.

We are proud of what we’ve achieved for our members so far. And we’re delightedto report that, from our recent survey, 95% of members reported that they are proudto be Resolution members.

There is, of course, no room for complacency. The external environment continues topose challenges to the way we support separating families. The impact of the legal aidcuts is now starting to be fully felt; the family courts are under huge pressure; andthere has been an avalanche of changes in the way family law is practiced.

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From the Chair and Chief Executive

Your National Committee, together withour Regional Chairs, continue to workto develop and deliver the long-termstrategic plan – we have a cleardirection of travel with three key areaswe’re focusing on in 2015:

Membership: We all know howimportant our Code of Practice is to ourmembers. In a changing environment, itis important that we articulate to thepublic the different types of memberswho make up Resolution, and how theycan support them through their divorceor separation.

Training and learning: We areembarking on a project building on whatwe’ve already achieved in terms of thecourses we offer, to work towards a‘training pathway’. Our aim is to makeResolution a one-stop-shop for people’sprofessional development needs,whatever point they are at in their career.

Changing practices: Members will see an increasing array of trainingcourses, Review articles and supportmaterials reflecting the fact that ourmembers are delivering services in newand innovative ways. Our aim is toprovide members and their firms withthe support they need to meet thechallenges they’re facing.

These priorities are in addition to other important areas of work, whichinclude: continually improving the ways we communicate with ourmembers; supporting our committees;influencing family law policy; ensuring our regions are supported; anddeveloping the Code of Practice toensure it is in tune with today’s family law environment.

Work will continue to build Resolution’sprofile, extend our sphere of influenceand support family justice professionals.

Importantly, we aim to position membersas the go-to specialists for divorce andseparation in England and Wales.

We can only achieve this because of the support of our members.Elsewhere in the report you’ll see thenames of some of the 1,500 Resolutionmembers who are actively involved in the organisation – whether it’s throughregional committees, or specialist groups tasked with addressing some of the most pressing issues facingfamily practitioners.

So to those of you who give up your time to make a contribution – thankyou. On behalf of all Resolution’smembers we are hugely grateful foryour support. Our promise in return is that our members and, moreimportantly, the families they support,will continue to be at the heart ofeverything we do.

Jo EdwardsChair

Colin JonesChief Executive

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Resolution in the media

2014 saw some of our mostsuccessful media coverageyet. Our annual showcasecampaign, Family DisputeResolution Week (DR Week),secured major nationalcoverage, as well as beingfeatured in local mediaacross the country.

Our story about the impact of divorce onchildren made the front page of TheTimes on the first day of DR Week, andour Chair and Vice-Chair were rushingfrom studio to studio that morning, beinginterviewed by Eamonn Holmes on SkyNews, John Humphrys on the TodayProgramme, and Rachel Burden on FiveLive, among others.

In total we generated over 27 million opportunities to see, hear, or read aboutResolution’s work in local and national media – more than double what wasachieved in DR Week 2013. This means more members of the public, morepolicymakers, and more opinion formers heard about the work our members do and the way they help separating families every day.

Other media highlights throughout the year included

n Extensive coverage of our response to the 22 April family law reforms, on BBCBreakfast, Woman’s Hour and Five Live.

n An exclusive story in The Guardian in July, about the impact of legal aid cuts onthe family courts.

n Appearances throughout the year in national print and broadcast media,including The Observer, The Daily Mail, and BBC Moneybox Live.

n We’ve also placed an even greater focus on ways to let our members know whatwe’re doing on their behalf. That means: more email bulletins on things ourmembers need to know; a revamped Review, to include more information andopinion written by members for members; and a greater presence on Twitter,LinkedIn and Facebook – making it easier to share news about Resolution’s work.

n A new video and other visual materials we produced to accompany DR Weekhelped get our message out even further, reaching over 750,000 people onTwitter and a further 250,000 on Facebook.

We’ll continue to develop new ways to get the word out, and also make sure we keep listening to our members’ views – including reporting back on the all-member survey.

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@ResFamilyLaw

YRes – the next generation

YRes is a network ofResolution members at the start of their careers.YRes exists to ensure thatthere is an opportunity forthose starting out on theircareer path to share theirexperiences, concerns and ideas, ask questions,and develop skills andknowledge in a friendly and supportive environment.Our YRes groups supportfamily lawyers starting outwith seminars, training andsocial events throughout the year.

At the end of 2013 a working party was formed by Lucy Loizou (National Committeemember with YRes responsibility), six YRes representatives from around the country andResolution staff including Chief Executive Colin Jones and Sue Gunn, Director ofMembership Support. The purpose of this group was to establish and discuss issuesconcerning YRes, review the current structure and define a clear strategy for the network.

In July last year we held the inaugural YRes forum, attended by representatives from 20 of our 24 YRes groups, as well as Resolution Chair Jo Edwards and CaitlinJenkins, a founder member of YRes London in 1995. Representatives put their headstogether for an inspiring day of discussion, and planning the future of YRes. Thisincluded looking at the criteria for YRes membership and developing stronger linksbetween Regional Committees and their local YRes groups.

Following this forum, a final paper of recommendations and next steps was presentedto the National Committee in November, which was fully endorsed after unanimousagreement on almost every area.

YRes - the next generation

The hard work carried out throughout 2014 has resulted in a new approach torecruiting and developing our YRes members. We have:

n Widened the eligibility criteria from six to ten years PQE and lifted the specificationthat a member must be a non-partner. This longer time period recognises thetransition between YRes and ‘main’ Resolution.

n Agreed to drop the reference to the term ‘young’ in communications, but to retainthe name YRes.

n Committed to providing more training that focuses on the needs of newly qualifiedpractitioners.

n Agreed that YRes representation on Regional Committees is crucial. Similarly,Regional Committee members should attend YRes meetings where possible.

We need to ensure that there is a flow of information and ideas between YRes, nationaland regional groups and that YRes remains an integral part of the regional structure.

If your family law team has members with ten or less years PQE, YRes is an excellentchance for them to develop their networks and skills – and your firm can also benefit.We urge all our members to support the newly qualified members in the profession –they are the future of family law.

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YRes – the next generation

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A vital source of support duringmy first few years of practice.

Built long lasting connectionswith other family lawyers.

Helps promote Resolution to afuture generation of familylawyers.

My opinions are represented at alocal and national level.

I can actively contribute andpositively respond to thechanges in family law.

Members of Hampshire YReschallenged Moore Blatch Solicitorsto raise money for Naomi HouseChildren’s Hospice in a Store Warschallenge. The teams togethersucceeded in raising £3,103. Left toright: Helen Clarkson, Amy Trench,Catherine Day, Elizabeth Ford andMary-Anne Beedle.

Attendees at the YRes Merseysideannual quiz night which raised over£700 for the NYAS charity lastSeptember.

Paul Laverty, Emma Green, JoanneRadcliff (Manchester YRes Chair),Emma Cordock and James Shortallat the YRes drinks reception at the2014 National Conference.

“

”

We would like to take this opportunityto thank our YRes Working Party for alltheir time and effort over the last year.

Lucy Loizou, London Region(National Committee)Sarah Green, Bristol RegionJo Stiff, Surrey RegionJoanne Radcliff, Manchester RegionDavid Lister, South Yorkshire RegionRhian Gray, West Midlands RegionRosalyn O'Donnell-Teelan, London Region

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What our members say

Your feedback is vital to ensure wedeliver the support our members andtheir clients need. Over 500 memberscompleted our member survey andit’s encouraging to receive suchpositive feedback. But there’s alwaysroom for improvement.

In response to your comments, wewill start work in 2015 to make thewebsite more user-friendly. Ourcommittees are already developingthe training on offer to ensure allmembers, no matter what stage oftheir careers they are at, are able toaccess cost-effective, relevant andaccessible training to develop skillsand knowledge. And we’re listening toyour comments about the preferentialrates Iceberg offer Resolutionmembers, and will work to developthis further, to ensure it best meetsthe needs of firms and their clients.

We encourage members to feed back their thoughts throughout theyear so please get in contact atinfo@resolution.org.uk.

95% of respondents said they were proud to be a Resolution member.

81% of respondents felt that Resolution membership is good value for money.

Twitter users who found it useful increased from 40% to 59% between2012 and 2014.

2/3 who responded said they read most or all of every issue of TheReview with black letter and case law the most popular topics.

4/10 (41%) of respondents with full member status worked in firmsto deliver publicly funded work - down from 49% in 2012.

Almost 9/10 who had experience of training and support around theCode of Practice were satisfied with the service they had received.

94% of respondents said they would prefer to receive communicationsfrom Resolution via email.

What our members say

The Review is an essential read for all family practitioners, so as to stayupdated on recent developments and to share in best practice. Bravo!

I think the Resolution website is very good. I regularly suggest to clients thatthey look as it has a wealth of information for those going through a separation.

I attended a Resolution mediation course and made some useful localconnections with other solicitors also setting up a mediation practice.

I think Resolution is doing valuable work.

I feel reassured that I have Resolution's resources available to me in my practice.

It’s an excellent organisation, effective, efficient, well-run, aspirational andwith a genuine commitment to helping families embedded within it.

I believe Resolution is doing an excellent job. I am thrilled that Resolution ispromoting young practitioner members to the forefront of the agenda too. It’s very important!

Resolution is a fine campaigning organisation.

The National Conference is always a great occasion to network and learn.

“

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Committee highlights

Resolution is run for and by its members, many of whomvolunteer their time and energy by sitting on a committee.Our committees are vital to creating and delivering the qualitytraining and services that members enjoy, and promotinginnovative new approaches to non-confrontational familydispute resolution. Committees are also key in shapingResolution’s policies and campaign priorities – our Manifestofor Family Law is a prime example of this.

Our volunteers regularly engage with local and national policymakers, stakeholder organisations, the judiciary andpoliticians. They respond to media enquiries and representResolution in local and national media. Our committees assistin developing and maintaining approaches to good practice,contributing to publications, and providing strategic guidanceand direction to the Resolution staff team.

We’d like to share just some of the many fantasticachievements Resolution committees have accomplished in 2014.

If you are interested in joining a committee you can contactinfo@resolution.org.uk for more information.

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Committee highlights

Child Support CommitteeWe continued to lobby forimprovements to the CM Optionswebsite, complain about fees andpress the DWP on specific issues.

Children CommitteeWe developed the Parenting Charter,after consultation with members andthe Family Justice Young People’sBoard. The Charter has been wellreceived and is a cornerstone of theResolution Manifesto for Family Law.

Cohabitation & EqualitiesCommitteeWe continued to work for, and support,proposals for reform, notably LordMarks' Cohabitation Rights Billintroduced into the House of Lords inJune, and also contributed to theResolution Manifesto for Family Law.

Dispute Resolution CommitteeWe developed and delivered thebiggest, most successful DRconference to date.

Domestic Abuse CommitteeWe responded to governmentconsultations on female genitalmutilation and the creation of a crimeof coercive control.

FA Accreditation CommitteeWe developed and launched the newFinancial Adviser SpecialistAccreditation scheme.

International CommitteeWe worked on the development of anew online publication - the ResolutionGuide to International Family Law.

Learning & Training CommitteeWe developed a new common learning framework for all Resolution'straining and learning, encompassingResolution's core learning topics andlearning outcomes for members.

Legal Aid CommitteeWe lobbied the Legal Aid Agencyregarding the many issues with CCMS,resulting in a significant delay of thecompulsory introduction of theproposed system.

Membership DevelopmentWorking PartyMembership Development Officerscontacted those who had yet to renew,which resulted in 150 members signingup for a further year.

Parenting After PartingCommitteeWe brought together a new committeeand began to develop a Parenting afterParting strategy.

Property, Tax & PensionsCommitteeWe responded to the President’sconsultation on bundles, contributed tothe Report of the Financial RemediesWorking Group and responded to theLaw Commission project onenforcement of family financial orders.

Skills & Support Working PartyWe recognised the need to supportmembers in the changing environment,so targeted training to specific support areas such as the use of social media and career developmentfor our junior members.

Specialist AccreditationCommitteeWe conducted a root and branchreview of the accreditation schemeincluding adopting a new competencebased approach.

Standards CommitteeWe oversaw the development and roll-out of the new complaintsprocedure, reviewed and updated theGood Practice Guides and createdaccompanying Guidance Notes.

Training Working PartyWe developed new training on a range of financial provision matters.

Regio12

Around the regions

West Midlands region Christmas party heldat St Phillips Chambers in Birminghamwhich was attended by over 150 guests.From left to right: Katherine Haden, ClareWiseman, Michelle Brammer, Nev Zaki,Aaron Keene, Bart Dalton, Baldish Khatkar,Phil Barnsley and Zahra Pabani.

South Wales region AGM.From left to right: SophieHughes, Belinda Mosely,Heather Seward, MikeBarry and Toni Young.

South Yorkshire Resolution Committeepictured at the Sheffield Winter Family LawDinner attended by over 200 family lawpractitioners, which raised over £1000 forKids in the Middle. From left to right:Rebecca Crofts, David Lister, AbbieChurchill, Carmel Doyle, Vanessa Fox, RosieFinn, Michelle Cooper, Melanie Hadwin,Michaela Heathcote, Deborah Constable.

nalhighlights

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Around the regions

Resolution’s Cornwall region raised£2000 for their local Relate. Memberspictured: Lucy Theobald, Sarah Atkinsonand Zoe Lock with Crystal Pearce(Manager and CEO Relate - Cornwall)

Carers in Hertfordshire received astaggering £5,208 raised at RaydenSolicitors’ third annual Quiz Night entertainedby the wonderful compere Rosie Glow!

Chester Collaborative Lawyers kicked off DR Weekwith a breakfast event at Chester racecourse openedby HHJ Elgan Edwards (pictured centre).

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Family Matters

Family Matters is a servicesupporting parents to findsolutions to problems arisingfrom their break-up, focusingon making child-centredarrangements. FamilyMatters Guides use theirlegal knowledge andmediation skills to work with parents, informing them of their options andhelping them to find ways of communicating betterabout their children.

Family Matters Guides are based insolicitors firms in Newcastle, Creweand Oxford. They work closely withother community agencies to reach outto people who could benefit from theservice and link to the support thatpeople might need when splitting up.Family Matters is free for parents whereone of them receives a state benefit orearns less than the Living Wage (£7.85an hour).

Family Matters is funded by theDepartment for Work and Pensions(DWP) through their Help and Supportfor Separated Families’ InnovationFund. We were thrilled to hear at theend of 2014 that the initial two-yearfunding was to be extended by sixmonths, meaning the service cancontinue to run to the end ofSeptember 2015. Resolution is alreadylooking at other sources of funding toenable us to continue the servicebeyond the DWP contract.

We are delighted that the numbers ofparents using the service in 2014 wasgreater than in the correspondingmonths in 2013, demonstrating that ittakes time to embed a new service intoa community.

Family Matters Guides worked hard totake the service to where we are mostlikely to find people who need it, whichinclude the court, a Citizens AdviceBureau and a Children’s Centre. Wehave promoted Family Matters on localradio, including BBC Radio Oxford,BBC Radio Stoke and Redshift Radio.As a result, from April to December2014, the service was able to help 604parents – almost three times as manyas in 2013.

District Judge Payne with Family Matters GuideMarjorie Dennett-Clayton at an event in Oxfordcelebrating Family Matters first year anniversary.

“Initially it was hard to figure out what to do. As I talked to my Guide things became clearer and I am nowcomfortable that my partner understands what I am trying to achieve.”

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Percentage of parentswho feel better able totake action after seeinga Family Matters Guide

Percentage of parentswho better understandthe benefits of makingarrangements togetherafter using Family Matters

Percentage of parentsfinding the information andsupport beneficial

“I feel much better than before we spoke. I understand a lotmore of what’s going to happenand more confident with what’shappening. Thank you.”

“The situation is still very raw. However it is great to have another person’sperspective in a situation which can feel very isolating and ostracising.”

“I feel much stronger and moredetermined about the future.”

“Very happy. I feel sinceseparating things are the bestthey’ve ever been.”

783

Family Matters

230 Number of parents seen since the start of the project

Apr 13 - Dec 13

Jan 14- Dec 14

97%75% 78%

“I understand a lot more of what’sgoing to happen and moreconfident with what’s happening.”

“It was so helpful to discusswith somebody who listens and really helps.”

“The course was the absolute highlight ofmy year. I learnt so much and enjoyed myselftremendously in the company of so manyskilled mediators.”

“Sensitively and thoroughly presented bycommitted and knowledgeable presenters.Best course I’ve done by a mile!”

“Extremely excited about a new way ofworking – very positive.”

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Training and professional development

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Training and professional development

62 courses took place last year, which were attended by over 1,500 delegates.

206 CPD hours were available to members last year.

Between them, 1,582 delegates earned an impressive 12,835 CPD hours in 2014.

370 delegates attended our National Conference in Manchester, earning nearly 4,000CPD hours between them.

Our DR Conference was attended by 167 delegates at the East Midlands Conference Centrein Nottingham.

Over 30 members achieved Accredited Specialist status in 2014 and 150 existing specialistswere re-accredited, this means over 1,700 members are now Accredited Specialists.

The Financial Adviser Accreditation Scheme was re-launched in 2014. Taking a new approachto accreditation, the new scheme is based on a competency framework, an approach whichwill be applied across all accreditation in 2015.

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The year in pictures

Thepictures

2014 was another busyyear for Resolution andour members. Wedelivered a sell outNational Conference inManchester, ran anothersuccessful DR Conferencein Nottingham, held our biggest Family DRWeek to date, and sawsome of our membersrecognised for theirfantastic achievements.

Members Nigel Shepherd and Norman Hartnell sittingon the Family Law Panel at an event organised byOnlyDads and OnlyMums entitled ‘Couples break up –families don’t need to.’

Maud Davies receiving Family Legal AidLawyer of the Year Award (sponsoredby Resolution) at the Legal Aid Lawyerof the Year Awards 2014.

Caroline Bowden receiving the inauguralResolution-sponsored Family Mediation Award atthe Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2014.

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year in

The year in pictures

Delegates at the 2014 DR Conference held inNottingham last October.

Attendees enjoying our 26th National Conferenceat the Midland Hotel in Manchester last April.

James Pirrie receiving the 2014John Cornwell Award fromResolution Chair Jo Edwards.

Resolution’s Operations Co-ordinator Louisa Grisdalegetting into the swing of Family DR Week 2014!

President of the Family Division, The Rt. Hon SirJames Munby delivering his keynote address atNational Conference.

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Financial overview

We have used this income to support our members by engaging in the key activitiesas outlined in this document. Breakdowns of income and expenditure are detailedbelow, and in addition our full audited accounts can be found on the members’section of the Resolution website.

Membership continues to be the lifeblood of our organisation, both for thepromotion of the Code in Practice, and in terms of our funding throughsubscriptions and training income.

The introduction of a new annual planning cycle in 2014 involving members, theRegional Liaison Committee and numerous other committees will drive forwardResolution’s strategic and operational plans. This will be supported by soundfinancial planning.

% £000s

Subscriptions 53% 1,235

Training & Learning (inc. seminars) 25% 593

Family Matters 16% 374

Publications / Other 3% 73

Accreditation 2% 41

Investment Income 1% 31

TOTAL 100% 2,347

53%

25%

3%2%

1%

16%

In 2014, Resolution’sincome totalled £2.3m. Of this, over half came from member subscriptions,with the bulk of theremainder being generatedfrom training and learning.

Income

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Financial overview

% £000s

Training & Learning (General), Accreditation & Publications 29% 680

Training & Learning (DR) 17% 394

Influencing & Engagement 14% 338

Family Matters 14% 320

Membership Support 8% 188

Office Costs & Administration 6% 148

Committees & Governance 5% 120

Projects / Underspend 7% 158

TOTAL 100% 2,347

29%

17%

14%

14%

8%

6%

5%7%

The National Committee has committed just under 24% (£0.38m) of reserves in arange of initiatives to support members, and we will continue to invest our reservesto reflect our members’ needs.

We are investing in work to support our members through training and learning aswell as continuing our work on membership recruitment and support, so that morefamily law professionals are aware of the benefits of Resolution membership.Alongside our work influencing government and the public, we will continue to useour resources in new and innovative ways to ensure Resolution members remainfirst for family law.

Expenditure

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Influencing government

In 2014 we developedResolution’s Manifesto forFamily Law, in consultationwith our members. We wantto see changes to:

n Protect vulnerable people goingthrough separation, including theprovision of initial legal advice.

n Introduce measures to help separatingpeople reach agreements out of court.

n Introduce a Parenting Charter to helpparents understand theirresponsibilities when they separate.

n Allow people to divorce without blame.

n Help people understand how theirdivorce will affect their future finances.

n Provide at least basic legal rights forcouples who live together if theyseparate.

Resolution’s work last yearto influence family law policyand developments in familyjustice also included:

We engaged on behalf ofmembers with thegovernment, the Legal AidAgency and other influencerson family legal aid including:

n Persuading the government to shelvea proposed significant rise in the courtfee for divorce.

n Gathering members’ evidence of theimpact of the various family justicereforms introduced in April 2014.

n Responding to major reports andconsultations led by the senior familyjudiciary including: the Report of theFinancial Remedies Working Group;on Transparency – the next steps; andon proposed standard orders.

n We met with senior ministers, MPsand advisors, including SimonHughes, David Norgrove, ShaileshVara, Steve Webb, Andy Slaughterand Baroness Shackleton. We evenquizzed the Prime Minister at an eventat which he spoke.

n Communicating our members’continued concerns around the LegalAid Agency’s online Client and CostManagement System. This resulted inthe LAA delaying rollout while crucialimprovements were made. We arecontinuing to push them to makefurther changes to improve the systemfor practitioners and clients.

n Providing evidence to the JusticeSelect Committee on the impact oflegal aid cuts.

n Persuading government to widen thegovernment’s approach to the evidencecriteria to enable victims of domesticviolence to access private family legalaid - and we continue to lobby for moreimprovements and support partnerorganisations in this area.

n Highlighting the reasons behind thedrop in publicly funded mediation –chiefly that the withdrawal of legal aidfor the majority of private family casesmeans fewer people are seeing familysolicitors who can help them makeinformed choices and talk throughhow mediation could work for them.

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Meet the Resolution team

Matt BryantDirector, CommunicationsHeading up the team responsible for allmember communications, mediaactivity, marketing materials, policy andcampaigning work.

Kayleigh CellaMembership & Training AdministratorMaintaining the Resolutionmembership database and processingmembership applications.

Patrick DanielsOperations ManagerResponsibility for training, learningand membership services.

Claire EastermanDirector, OperationsOverseeing the delivery of benefits and services to members across all channels.

Ida ForsterFamily Matters Project ManagerManaging Family Matters, an innovativeproject supporting separating parents.

Louisa GrisdaleOperations Co-ordinatorResponsibility for arranging trainingand seminars.

Sue GunnDirector, Membership SupportOverseeing the administrativesupport and liaison for and on behalfof the membership.

Fiona IvitsCommunications ManagerManaging media relations, socialmedia and public campaigns forResolution.

Colin JonesChief ExecutiveAs Chief Executive, Colin leads theteam in the day-to-day delivery ofactivity for our members, as well asensuring we’re planning for the future.

Angela Lake CarrollConsultant - Head of StandardsDealing with our organisational andprofessional standards.

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Meet the Resolution team

Rachel RogersHead of PolicyResponsibility for co-ordinatingResolution’s policy positions andresponses to consultations andadvising members on policy issues.

Karen RushtonComplaints administratorResponsibility for handling concernsrelating to breaches of our Code of Practice.

Paul SmithDirector, FinanceResponsibility for all Resolutionfinancial matters and controls, andthe design and development of themembership database.

Denise SullivanDR & General Administrator Providing training and support toour Dispute Resolution members.

Victoria SuttonMarketing ManagerResponsibility for all Resolutionmarketing and providing marketingsupport to members.

Euan MackinnonEditor (Consultant)Editing Resolution's magazine, ourbooks and online publications, anddigitalising our backlist.

Emma ObajimiMembership CoordinatorDeveloping the Resolution membershipthrough recruitment and retention.

Lisa RibbensAccreditation & General AdministratorGuiding and supporting our membersthrough the specialist accreditationprocess.

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Our National Committee

Shona AlexanderForsters LLP, LondonMember, National Committee Chair, Training Working Party

Karen BarhamBarlow Robbins LLP, WokingMember, National CommitteeChair, Membership DevelopmentWorking Party

Phil BarnsleyHiggs & Sons, Brierley HillMember, National Committee

Daniel BennettWhitehead Monckton, TenterdenMember, National Committee

Grant CameronTrethowans LLP, SouthamptonMember, National CommitteeMembership Development Committee

Daniel EamesClarke Willmott LLP, TauntonMember, National CommitteeChair, International Committee

Jo Edwards (Chair)Penningtons Manches LLP, LondonExecutive Committee Member

Liz EdwardsAmphlett Lissimore, BromleyMember, National CommitteeChair, Parenting after Parting Committee Chair, Skills, Learning and TrainingCommittee

David EmmersonTV Edwards Solicitors LLP, LondonMember, National CommitteeCo-Chair, Legal Aid CommitteeDR Committee

Kim FellowesSilk Family Law, Newcastle-Upon-TyneMember, National CommitteeChair, Child Support Committee

Margaret HeathcoteBishop and Sewell LLP, LondonTreasurer, National CommitteeExecutive Committee MemberProperty, Tax and Pensions Committee

Lucy LoizouThe International Family Law Group,LondonMember, National CommitteeChair, YRes

Anthony MorrisAnthony Morris Solicitors, LondonMember, National CommitteeChildren Committee

James PirrieFamily Law in Partnership, LondonMember, National CommitteeChild Support Committee

Nigel Shepherd (Vice Chair)Mills & Reeve LLP, ManchesterExecutive Committee MemberChair, Regional Liaison Committee

Karen TaylorTaylor Haldene Barlex LLP, EssexMember, National CommitteeStandards Committee

Elspeth ThomsonDavid Gray Solicitors LLP, Newcastle-Upon-TyneMember, National CommitteeCo-Chair, Legal Aid Committee

Karin WalkerKGW Family Law, GuildfordChair, Dispute Resolution CommitteeMember, National Committee

Jane WilsonHall Smith Whittingham LLP, CreweSecretary, National CommitteeExecutive Committee MemberChair, Domestic Abuse Committee

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Our thanks to volunteers

Resolution owes its successto the tireless work anddedication of our volunteers.

Our national and regional committees,networks of Regional Press Officersand POD Liaison Officers all share the drive to raise the profile of ourmembers with the public, government,media and key influencers. We areextremely grateful for their efforts. We’d also like to thank members notlisted here, who although are not on aformal committee, promote the Codeof Practice day in day out and supportthose families who are separating.

Mahie AbeyRuth AbramsRichard AdamsAmanda AdeolaRoopa AhluwaliaShona AlexanderPeter AlisonNicholas AllenDavid AllisonFiona ApthorpePrudence ArnottKaren AtkinsAlison Jane AutyLyn AyrtonSue BaileyCollette BaileyEmma BaillieJanet BainesRichard BakerSheridan BallBethany BamberRoger BamberKaren BarhamMelanie BarnesPhilip Barnsley Kim BeatsonRichard BebbJenny BeckPatricia BeechingKiran BeeharryMarilyn BellLaura BellVivien BellEleanor BenfieldSarah BenfieldDaniel BennettSusan BensonSimon BethelSimon BlainClaire BlakemoreZoe BloomLisa BoileauEmily BoardmanCatherine BonnettSarah BostockCaroline BournCaroline BowdenCharlotte BradleyLyn BrisleyLaura BrownSimon BruceAlison BullBarry BunyanLisa Burton-DurhamRichard BusbyLouise ButteryStormm Buxton-HillGrant CameronEmily CanellHelen CankettHeidi CardozaRebecca CarlyonGillian CarrBenjamin CarterAnnmarie CarvalhoDarren ChaplinFelicity ChapmanRobin CharrotClare CherryDebbie ChismDebapriya ChoudhuriLaura ClaptonSimon ClarkKate Clark

Lucia ClarkNigel ClarkeDarren CleverdonAdrian ClossickHelen ClynePaul CobleyEmma CollinsLaura CollinsLisa CollinsDeborah ConstableEdward CookeDaniel CoombesSarah Lucy CooperJames CopsonBarbara CorbettEmma CordockAnn CorriganMichelle CounleyElizabeth CowellJane CowleyGraham CoySimon CraddockJane CraigFiona CraigJulian CreaseyRobert CresswellTracy CrossSimon DakersAlexandra Dancey-TuckerLaura DandLoraine DavenportFiona DavidsonBen DaviesNeil DaviesAnne DaviesNeil DaviesKimberley DaviesJane DavisTina DayMarcus DearlePunam DenleyHelen DerryChet DesaiSusan DiplockLaura DobsonPeter DoddAngela DonenNatalie DrewSimon DukesSylvia DuncanChristine DyerDaniel EamesElizabeth EdwardsJoanne EdwardsCarol EllinasCaroline ElliottPauline EllisDavid EmmersonAmy FallowsTom FarrellKim FellowesAlison FernandesChantal FindlayKim FinnisTom FisherMiranda FisherClaire FitzgeraldZoe FleetwoodSital FontenelleJeremy FordElizabeth FordJohn FotheringhamPauline Fowler

Jane FowlesVanessa FoxGraeme FraserDebra FrazerGodfrey FreemanCamilla FuscoMarie GallacherSally GandonVanessa GardinerHannah GarnerDamian GarridoRebekah GershunyIan GiddingsWilliam GilesVeronica GilmourMaxine GobleEmma GordonNichola GoughChristopher GouldenWendy GouldingayMichael GourietOliver GravellSamantha GrayRhian GraySamantha GrayMiranda GreenEmma GreenSarah GreenHelen GreenfieldKelly Marie GriggKatherine HadenChristina HaleCatherine HallamKatherine HamiltonPaula HamiltonSarah HardingJulie-Ann HarrisEmma HarteJuliet HarveyAlison HawesJulian HawkheadAnnabel HaywardNaomi HaywardDenise HeadLaura HeatonMargaret HeathcoteMichaela HeathcoteGavin HenshawElizabeth HicksSarah HigginsRichard HoareWilliam HoggGemma HopeBelinda Hornsby CoxNicky HowarthSophie HughesMatthew HumphriesClaire HunterQuang HuynhJoy IrishSamantha JeanesCarol JessopDeborah JohnsonVictoria JoinerPeter JonesLorraine JonesKatherine JonesVictoria JosifSharon KayAaron KeeneSarah KeilyLisa KellettMargaret KellyMartin Kelly

Jacqueline KemptonKatherine KennedySuzanne KingstonJuliette KinseyHelen KirkhamStephen KirwanAlison KitchmanTara KnightMark KosminNatalie La ForteAngela Lake-CarrollJason LaneKirstie LawStephen LawsonJohn LeaSimon LeachJustin LeesPaul L'EstrangeKelly LewisRhys LewisVicky LingDavid ListerSamantha LittleZoe LockLucy LoizouSarah LondonNicholas LongfordJane LongworthKathryn LowndesAlastair MacleodCaroline MakinPaula MansfieldAlan MarkhamRachael MarshElizabeth MarshPeter MarshallSandra MarshallJayne MartinsElizabeth MathewsSusan McArthurJane McCannSarah McCarthyCris McCurleyJulian McEvoySamantha McFadzeanSimone McgrathStephanie McKeonMaura MckibbinVictoria McLynnSean McNallySandra MeakinsSarah MellishMatthew MilesMagnus MillCharlotte MillardTracey MillerJonathan MillerBarbara MillsDawn MillsEmma MitchellBina ModiAdam MoghadasLeia MonsoonPaul MontgomeryAndrew MooreHelen MorganJonathan MoriartyAnthony MorrisPeter MorrisSimon MortimerEmma MouldChristopher MylesSusan NashCarolyn Nathanson

Kristy NelsonToby NettingKaren NewmanTherese NicholsDeborah NicholsonDaniela NickolsSue NicksonPhilip O'ConnorRosalyn O'Donnell-TeelanJohn OsborneJustine OsmotherleyJoanne O'SullivanPriya PalanivelAshley PalminteriRobert ParkerGrace Parker-WhiteDipal PatelEmma-LisbethPearmaineEleanor PearsonAlan PeckTalvinder PenaserHannah PerryKatrina PescottRichard PhillipsJackie PhillipsHelen PidgeonJames PirrieJessica PittDuane PlantTracy PoolmanShyam PopatJane PorterLauren PreedyDaniel PriestJoanne RadcliffMaggie RaeDominic RaesideGreg RandallDuncan RantonLisa RawcliffeKatherine RaydenFiona ReadEmma ReeceClaire ReidChristine RenoufClare RiddallEmma RiesJoanne RileyIan RispinMaggie RobertsNeil RobinsonPatricia RobinsonHelen RobsonStephen RootStuart RuffKaren RushtonWendy RyleLauren SadlerNadia SalamVicki SalesDavid SalterBhupendra SankhlaKate ScammellGareth SchofieldAmy ScollanPhilip ScottLorna SearJennifer SeviourHeather SewardThowheetha ShaahBharti ShahFiona Sharp

Richard SharpHelen ShawNigel ShepherdJo ShortlandMargaret SimpsonLaura SmailRuth SmallcombeJulia SmartCathryn SmithMoira SofaerCatherine SousaColin SpannerLucy SparksRachel SpicerSally StanwayJohn StebbingJames StewartJoanna StiffVictoria StrodeElizabeth SulkinElizabeth TaitJonathan TalbotCarolynn TanIan TaylorKaren TaylorNorman TaylorCeri ThomasDavid ThompsonZen ThompsonElspeth ThomsonClare ThorntonAmanda ThurstonNicola TiernanJohn ToddSara TomlinsonAmanda Trappes-LomaxAmy TrenchJanet TresmanAlexandra TribeDavid TruexClaire TrundleyCarolynn UsherIan WalkerKarin WalkerVictoria WalkerKaren WallaceAndrew WareingJulie WaringPeter Watson-LeePhilip WayMelanie WebbClare WebbClive WeirMichael Wells-GrecoLouisa WhitneyAdele WilkinsonSusan WilliamsElizabeth WilliamsStephen WilliamsGreta WilliamsonHannah WilsonJane WilsonClare WisemanClaire WoodRachel WooddSarah WoodsfordDenise WoodwardBeth WoodwardAnna WorwoodKatharine WrightNicholas Wynn-WilliamsDavid YoungCarla Young

27

Code of Practice

Membership of Resolutioncommits family lawyers toresolving disputes in a non-confrontational way. We believe that family lawdisputes should be dealtwith in a constructive waydesigned to preservepeople’s dignity and toencourage agreements.

Members of Resolution are required to:

n Conduct matters in a constructive and non-confrontational way

n Avoid use of inflammatory language both written and spoken

n Retain professional objectivity and respect for everyone involved

n Take into account the long term consequences of actions and communicationsas well as the short term implications

n Encourage clients to put the best interests of the children first

n Emphasise to clients the importance of being open and honest in all dealings

n Make clients aware of the benefits of behaving in a civilised way

n Keep financial and children issues separate

n Ensure that consideration is given to balancing the benefits of any steps againstthe likely costs – financial or emotional

n Inform clients of the options e.g. counselling, family therapy, round tablenegotiations, mediation, collaborative law and court proceedings

n Abide by the Resolution Guides to Good Practice

This Code should be read in conjunction with the Law Society’s Family Law Protocol.

All solicitors are subject to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Code of Conduct.

Resolution, PO Box 302, Orpington, Kent BR6 8QXDX 154460 Petts Wood 3T: 08457 585671 E: info@resolution.org.uk W: www.resolution.org.uk

Resolution is the trading name of the Solicitors Family Law Association, which is a company limited by guarantee.Company number 05234230 | Published and produced by Resolution - first for family law

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