Family, Criminal & Dispute Resolution Committee

                                            

Cara Hough, Chair                                                                 Nicola Hall, Vice Chair 
Contentious Probate Partner & Solicitor,  Irwin Mitchell          Property Litigation Solicitor, Stephens Scown

Our Aims

The Family, Criminal & Dispute Resolution team meet quarterly to share ideas and issues affecting anyone involved in family or civil litigation.  If you have a concern that is effecting you or your practice please reach out to any member of the committee to ensure we are able to raise it at our next meeting. Alternatively, please register your attendance and come along to our next meeting.


Next Meeting

The next Committee Meeting will be on 29th September 2026 4:00pm via ZOOM.  We are delighted to be joined by Liz Makin from Stanley Smith Case Management.  Anyone is welcome to attend, please contact kelly@dasls.com.


Current Committee Members
Rhia Abukhalil, No5 Barristers' Chambers
Ian Brown, Trowers & Hamlins
Aiden Glaser, Everys
Sophie Holloway, Amicus Law
Tanya Jones, Magdalen Chambers
Liz Kendal, Rixa Mediation
Martin Laver, Tozers
Daya Mann, KBG Chambers
Karen Osborne, WBW
Demelza Pallant, Coodes
Colin Palmer, KBG Chambers
Hannah Pettifer, North Devon District Council
Catherine Reynolds, Devon & Cornwall Police
Bea Taylor, Tozers
Jonathan Ward, Magdalen Chambers

Criminal & Family Representative Vacancies
The Committee are looking for a Family and Criminal Law representatives to join. The Committee meet quarterly both in person and via Zoom, and are looking for family and criminal law representatives to discuss topical issues and share information from the law sector. If you are a criminal or family lawyer and would like to get involved or know more, please get in touch: kelly@dasls.com 


Useful Links
SRA | How can the high-volume consumer claims market work better for consumers? | Solicitors Regulation Authority
Letter to Civil, Family and Tribunal Stakeholders in the South West Region 13.02.2025
New Civil, Family and Tribunal Operational Leadership Structure – South West Region

Training Opportunities 

Minutes from Committee & Group Meetings
3 February 2026
23rd September 2025
6th March 2025
7th January 2025
24th September 2024
18th June 2024
26th March 2024
21st September 2023
Exeter & Barnstaple Civil Court Users' Group Meetings Minutes
Bristol Chancery Court Users' Group Meetings Minutes

Mazur & Anor v Charles Russell Speechlys - Round Table - 15 October 2025