Family Law Conference 2012 Programme

Date and venue: Thursday 20^th June 2013 in NUI Galway

ThemeDoes the present process of childcare cases in the courts system serve the best interests of the child?

Timetable
8.30am – 9.30am Registration & Tea/coffee on arrival.

9.30 am – 9.40 am Introduction by Dr Moling Ryan, Chief Executive (Conference Chair).

9.40 am – 10.10 am Opening Address by Ms. Muriel Walls, Chairperson, Legal Aid Board (Childcare cases: the Legal Aid Board experience)

10.10 am – 10.40 am Ms Catriona Whyte, Head of Legal Services – Civil, Scottish Legal Aid Board (Childcare hearings in Scotland)

10.40 am – 11.10 am Break

11.10 am – 11.40 am Dr Carol Coulter, Director of the Childcare Law Reporting Project and former Legal Affairs correspondent, Irish Times (reflections based on current research of childcare hearings nationwide)

11.40 am – 12.30 pm Nuala Egan BL, Brian Lavery, Guardian Ad Litem and Paula Reynolds, Legal Aid Board – Impact of care orders on sibling relationships.

12.30 pm – 1.00 pm Address by Her Honour Judge Rosemary Horgan, President of the District Court.


1.00 pm – 2.00 pm Lunch & Networking

2.00 pm – 2.45 pm Presentation by Professor Pat Dolan, Child and Family Research Dept., NUI Galway

2.45 pm - 4.30 pm Presentations and discussion on The Voice of the Child in Family Disputes?

· Ms Freda McKittrick, Barnardos
· Ms Ann O’Kelly, Family Mediation Service
· Mr. Colm Roberts, Legal Aid Board

Chair for discussion: Ms Muriel Walls

4.30 pm Close of Conference.

6.5 CPD points available for solicitors.