Revised Protocol for referrals of children and families to child contact centres in family proceedings (endorsed by Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division)
Written by 42BR's Siân Smith and Anne Dillon.
Published: 19th Dec 2023
- 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
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