Event Details

This event is part of our pod series for mediators.

How are we doing following the ‘Putting Children First: The Evolving Role of the Family Law Professional‘ report?

Join us for a group discussion about how we can or should all work better as practitioners and what to do when others refuse to adapt.

What the session will cover:

This session, led by the report’s co-author, Charlotte Bradley, together with Caroline Bowden will explore how to develop the report’s recommendations three months on.  We shall consider:

• How do we create the culture shift that ensures that children are at the heart of the system?
• What ways, beyond mediation, can a child’s voice be heard?
• What is truly meant by ‘welfare’ in law?
• What practical changes are most achievable?
• How do we deal with those who will not go beyond blind client loyalty?
• What do we need to do as practitioners to be our best for the families concerned, especially given that we work in a complex and demanding environment.

About Charlotte Bradley

Charlotte Bradley is a highly regarded family lawyer, mediator and Senior Consultant in the Family & Divorce team at Kingsley Napley.  Formerly head of the firm’s family practice, she specialises in complex domestic and international family law matters.

A founding member of the Family Solutions Group, Charlotte co-authored the influential 2026 report Putting Children First: The Evolving Role of the Family Law Professional, which calls for a more child-focused, less adversarial approach to family separation and places children’s welfare and voices at the centre of decision-making.

Charlotte is widely recognised for her commitment to constructive, non-confrontational family justice and has long advocated for processes that reduce conflict for separating families. Through her writing, mediation work and leadership within the profession, she continues to influence policy discussions around modernising family law practice and improving outcomes for children experiencing parental separation.

About Caroline Bowden

Caroline has specialised in all forms of mediation (including hybrid, CIM and civil) for the past 20 years out of the 34 years she has been at Anthony Gold.  She is also a founding member of the Family Solutions Group, sits on the Law Society’s Family Law Committee and the FPRC’s Early Working Group which initiated the Part 3 changes.  She was previously a director of the Family Mediation Council.

Contact us

For any enquiries please contact events@anthonygold.co.uk