Atlantic Chambers Family Group kicked off their 2009 seminar programme with a series of lectures devoted to recent developments in Child Care Law.  Malcolm Sharpe, Nick Ryan, Natalie Cuddy and Christine Johnson presented papers on private and public child law and applications for leave to remove children from the jurisdiction to a packed audience at the Hard Days Night Hotel on March 20.  The popularity of the speakers forced a last minute switch of venue, as numbers grew to an unprecedented level. On the day more than 100 delegates enjoyed the very best that the Liverpool legal scene has to offer.

Family team member Sam Hillas organised the seminar. She said: ”The Family Group’s annual lecture series are important events in the calendars of our instructing solicitors.  “In the past, they have been held within Chambers and although we have a sizeable conference room and state of the art video-conferencing and IT facilities, we were aware that the take up by delegates has increased dramatically in the last year or two. We were blown away about the fantastic response to this seminar, our first in a series for 2009.  “We realised we wouldn’t have the capacity to entertain so many delegates within Chambers and quickly outgrew the capacity available at our first chosen venue.  Thankfully, Marian and her team at the Hard Days Night Hotel laid on facilities of which they should be proud, with very little notice and the seminar was exceptionally well received”.

In addition to presentations by Malcolm, Nick and Natalie, Malcolm and Christine Johnson provided additional papers on the current “hot topics” of Special Guardianship and Placement Orders. (A copy of all papers can be obtained by contacting Allan Weston at allan@atlanticchambers.co.uk. 

Wendy Eves, a solicitor from Bell Lamb & Joynson, said: “This was the best seminar yet – these events are a firm booking in my diary and I don’t think I have missed one over the years. The change of venue and facilities available were second to none and I already have my name down for the next seminar.”

Anna White, a solicitor from Stephensons, added: “You can always rely on Atlantic Chambers for entertaining, relevant and professional seminars and, of course, for their after-event hospitality”.

The Family Group hope to host their next seminar during the summer term on the subject of ancillary relief and the financial aspects of divorce and separation.  As usual, it is expected that demand for places will outstrip supply. Anyone wishing to register an interest in attending this or future events should contact Allan Weston our Head of Marketing & Business Development on the e-mail address shown above.  Full details of the next seminar will be unveiled soon so please check the Atlantic Chambers website regularly for updates.