Anne Dillon

Call 2003
Telephone 020 7831 0222 | Email [email protected]

Anne Dillon

Call 2003
Telephone 020 7831 0222 | Email [email protected]

Family mediation
Family finance: high net worth including TOLATA and inheritance matters
Children private law: all disputes, including abduction and removal from jurisdiction
International and human rights law relating to families

As a senior accredited mediator focusing on family law, assets and inheritance, Anne is highly regarded for finding resolution in seemingly intractable disputes. Her clients include high profile and high net worth individuals and children following separation. She undertakes Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings, and is qualified in direct consultation with children and child abduction.

Anne strikes a balance between empathy and impartiality, applying a constructive methodology while recognising confusion and distress where they exist. She provides a protected environment where the parties can take time to arrive at a fair settlement which will release them from deadlock.

Anne tailors her mediations for clients in terms of venue and timing; clients may be joined by their solicitor or barrister if wished.

Main areas of practice

Financial remedy disputes: high net worth individuals, complex and sensitive company disputes, internationally held assets, trusts and pensions
Arrangements for separating couples, including TOLATA and Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989
Disputes between civil partners, same-sex spouses and cohabiting couples
Arrangements for children following separation, such as living arrangements, time spent with both parents and relationships with the broader family, including grandparents
Direct consultation with children in mediation
Leave to remove children within the UK and internationally
Child abduction
Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs)
Civil disputes within organisations
Anne qualified as a mediator in 2004 and is an accredited Professional Practice Consultant (PPC) supervising other family mediators. Before practising at the Bar Anne had a successful board level career in national organisations focusing on strategic planning and public affairs where her work involved building consensus around complex issues. She has been a company director since 2002.

Endorsements

Family mediation

“I have worked with Anne for a number of high-profile clients who have valued her discretion, understanding and speed of response. Anne’s considerable legal knowledge is worn lightly so that clients never feel that their needs are subservient to the constraints of the law. Her considerable experience, however, has given her an invaluable ability to realistically interpret the law for and explain it to clients in a way that makes sense to them. Her empathy and care for clients is second to none. She really listens, takes their concerns on board and never lets any detail get lost at what can so often be a confusing and painful experience for clients. Anne is an exceptional mediator and lawyer which is a rare and valuable combination for solicitors and their clients alike.” – Partner, international commercial and private client law firm

Civil mediation

“Instructing Anne as a mediator in an in-house dispute was a simple decision. Anne is professional, empathetic and thoughtful, and I was confident that the mediation process would be conducted in a fair and positive way. Her approach was collaborative from the outset; she adapted to our commercial needs and calmly facilitated what was a challenging mediation beset by both commercial and relationship complexities.” – CEO, leading London barristers’ chambers
“I just want to thank you so much for the work that you did. I did not think that the issues would be easily susceptible to mediation. I did not envy you your task. And yet you did it, and with great skill! I feel that this could be an important turning point. In years to come we may look back and see the mediation as the key moment when relations changed for the better.” – Civil mediation client

Articles

Mediation in the Context of Child Abduction: Family Law
Child Contact Centres and the Family Justice System: Family Law
Revised Judicial Protocol for Child Contact Centres: Family Law

Areas of Expertise

Family

Matrimonial Finance

Children private law - disputes including abduction

Qualifications & appointments

Vice-Chair, National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC). Anne played a key role in creating NACCC’s Independent Standards Panel. She is NACCC’s principal point of contact with the President of the Family Division’s Office, responsible for updating the Judicial Protocol.
One of the first appointees to the Family Mediation Standards Board, having been a member of the National Justice Council’s Pre-Proceedings sub-Committee.
Chaired a series of government-funded Expert Working Groups, which established nutritional guidelines for vulnerable groups such as older people, including those with dementia, and ‘looked after’ children. These guidelines form the basis of the relevant legislation in England and guidance in Scotland.
Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine
Family Mediators Association
Family Law Bar Association
University of Law: Bar Vocational Course
University of Westminster: Graduate Diploma in Law
University of St Andrews: MA Hons

Related News

Putting Children First: the Evolving Role of the Family Law Professional

Siân Smith, Anne Dillon and Helen Adams explore the survey results and recommendations set out in the Family Solutions Group’s latest report, ‘Putting Children First’.

Published: 27th Apr 2026