Free Hybrid Seminar – Private Law Update 2026: Key Developments and Practical Insights

This seminar will bring together members of chambers to explore recent developments in private family law and their practical implications for practitioners. Covering key case law, procedural changes and emerging themes within private children disputes, the session will provide a focused and accessible update for those working in this area.

Speakers will offer insight into how the courts are approaching issues such as Parental alienation, Pathfinders, case management and expert evidence, alongside practical guidance on advocacy and preparation. This event is aimed at solicitors, barristers and other professionals seeking to remain up to date with the evolving private law landscape.

Speakers

Maggie Jones, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Maggie Jones is a very experienced family law practitioner. She acts for parents and children in both public and private law cases. She is well known for her tenacity, for working with both vulnerable and difficult clients, and for dealing with complex and messy cases. In private law proceedings Maggie will try and negotiate agreements wherever possible, but recognizes that there are some disputes which cannot be resolved this way. She often gets instructed to deal with particularly complex disputes for parents, including same sex parents, as well as representing guardians appointed pursuant to rule 16.4 in these proceedings.

Stephen Lue, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Stephen Lue is a specialist family law barrister. His practice covers a wide range of applications including public and private children law, financial remedies in divorce cases, international child abduction work and domestic violence. He also acts in Court of Protection cases. Stephen was shortlisted for Family Law Junior of the Year at the Family Law Awards 2025 and for Barrister of the Year at Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2021. Stephen’s experience in private law children work covers contact and residence applications including contested final hearings where there are serious allegations of sexual abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour and violence. His strength is always keeping the focus on the welfare of the child, regardless of the issues that adults in the case seek to litigate. In financial remedies work, Stephen represents wives, husbands and civil partners in all financial remedy applications; dealing with parties who have modest assets, as well as those who hold more complex assets in multiple jurisdictions.

Luke McLean, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers 
Luke has a very busy family law practice representing clients in public and private law matters. He deals with a range of private law matters including matters involving child arrangement orders, prohibited steps orders, and specific issue orders. He represents individuals at First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointments, Direction Appointments, Fact-Finding Hearings and Final Hearings. Luke has also appeared before the Court making complex arguments. In a recent case, Luke successfully persuaded a Court to revoke parental responsibility. Luke also has experience dealing with private law family matters involving non-molestation orders, occupation orders, and transfer of tenancy. Luke has been involved with various fact-finding and final hearings under the Family Law Act 1996.

Sophia Rolt-Smith, Third Six Pupil, Garden Court Chambers
Sophia is a specialist family lawyer who is instructed in public and private Children Act proceedings. She regularly acts in cases involving complex allegations of abuse and other welfare issues. She has experience in all areas of private children law, including cases involving allegations of child abuse, domestic abuse, substance misuse and parental alienation. Sophia has also appeared for parents, intervenors and Local Authorities in cases involving issues including, honour-based violence, parental mental health, substance misuse, neglect and domestic abuse. She accepts instructions at all stages of proceedings.

Anna Hefford, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers (Chair)
Anna is a family law practitioner focusing on cases involving serious sexual abuse and non-accidental injuries to children, including those with very complex medical evidence. In addition to her Public Law work, Anna undertakes Private Law cases in relation to children, particularly in those cases where a Guardian is involved. Anna has extensive experience of representing both parents and children in these proceedings. She has a particular interest in and experience of representing parents and children who are particularly vulnerable, including parents who are very young, and parents and children with additional needs, such as learning difficulties and mental health difficulties

Reserve your ticket
In-person tickets are limited by the venue’s capacity. After you have completed the form, we will be back in touch to confirm whether a place is available at the event

If you have booked an online ticket, we will send joining details to all those who have signed up on the day of the event. If you have not received the link by 2pm on Thursday 30th April, and it is not in your junk inbox, please email webinars@gclaw.co.uk.