The Non-Court Dispute Resolution Forum
The First Conference to Focus Exclusively on NCDR Featuring Multiple Perspectives on All Methods
14 October 2025 | Central London | In-Person
Agenda
Networking & Registration
9.00am
Co-Chairs Opening Remarks
9.30am

Claire Blakemore, Partner
Withers

Harry Oliver KC, Barrister
1KBW
An Overview of NCDR
9.40am
- Evolution of MCDR and a summary of different NCDR forums
- How legal, judicial, and public perceptions of NCDR have evolved
- The interaction of the Court and NCDR

James Carroll, Managing Partner
Russell Cooke

Katherine Kelsey, Barrister
1KBW
Discussing the Court’s Approach to NCDR
10.25am
- How judges are encouraging or compelling NCDR
- Recent case law and practice directions
- Cost implications: when and how judges penalise refusal to engage
- Should the Family Court mirror Civil Court powers on NCDR enforcement?

Nicholas Allen KC , Barrister
29 Bedford Row

Claire Yorke, Partner
Mishcon de Reya

Rhys Taylor, Barrister
36 Family

Andrew Day, Barrister
St Ives Chambers
Networking & Refreshment Break
11.10am
Exploring Mediation: Best Practices and Pitfalls to Avoid
11.30am
- International mediation
- Mediation in high-conflict and difficult cases
- The future of mediation

Suzanne Kingston, Consultant
Penningtons Manches Cooper

Karen Barham, Consultant & Mediator
Moore Barlow
Arbitration in Practice
12.15pm
- A case study-based session where the vantage point and decision making of the solicitors, barristers and arbitrators are considered
- When would arbitration work for your clients and how do you achieve agreement with your opponent?
- Covering both full proceedings and interim applications

Sam Longworth, Partner
Stewarts

Suzanne Todd, Partner
Withers

Duncan Brooks KC, Barrister
QEB
Networking & Lunch Break
1.00pm
Exploring the 1 Lawyer 1 Couple Model
2.00pm
- What is it and how does it differ from other collaborative approaches
- Screening for suitability: risks, red flags, and conflict of interest
- Ethics and regulation: where are the guardrails
- Client feedback and outcomes: do people feel heard and supported?

Henry Hood, Senior Partner
Hunters Law
James Pirrie, Director
Family Law in Partnership
Examining NCDR in Cases of Conduct and Abuse
2.45pm
- When is NCDR inappropriate?
- How mediators/arbitrators handle allegations of coercive control or abuse
- Safe practice: screening tools and safeguarding procedures
- Alternatives for high–conflict or vulnerable parties
- Screening in an era of metal health–awareness

Samantha Singer, Barrister
QEB
Stacey Nevin, Partner
Kingsley Napley
Networking & Refreshment Break
3.30pm
Highlighting Regional Perspectives: How NCDR is Practiced Outside of London
3.50pm
- How regional courts are interpreting and promoting NCDR
- Differences in uptake and support between regions
- Firm–level innovation in delivering NCDR services outside London
- What can be learned and replicated nationally

Bethany Scarsbrook, Barrister
St John's Chambers

Jo O’Sullivan, Family Mediator
O'Sullivan Family Law
Supporting Client Needs During NCDR Proceedings
4.35pm
- Managing client needs during NCDR proceedings
- Emotional and psychological support: the role of counsellors, coaches, and therapists
- NCDR in children cases and reaching child–focused outcomes
Connie Atkinson , Partner
Kingsley Napley
Co-Chairs Closing Remarks
5.20pm

Claire Blakemore, Partner
Withers

Harry Oliver KC, Barrister
1KBW
- Evolution of MCDR and a summary of different NCDR forums
- How legal, judicial, and public perceptions of NCDR have evolved
- The interaction of the Court and NCDR
Katherine Kelsey - Barrister - 1KBW
- How judges are encouraging or compelling NCDR
- Recent case law and practice directions
- Cost implications: when and how judges penalise refusal to engage
- Should the Family Court mirror Civil Court powers on NCDR enforcement?
Claire Yorke - Partner - Mishcon de Reya
Rhys Taylor - Barrister - 36 Family
Andrew Day - Barrister - St Ives Chambers
- International mediation
- Mediation in high-conflict and difficult cases
- The future of mediation
Karen Barham - Consultant & Mediator - Moore Barlow
- A case study-based session where the vantage point and decision making of the solicitors, barristers and arbitrators are considered
- When would arbitration work for your clients and how do you achieve agreement with your opponent?
- Covering both full proceedings and interim applications
Suzanne Todd - Partner - Withers
Duncan Brooks KC - Barrister - QEB
- What is it and how does it differ from other collaborative approaches
- Screening for suitability: risks, red flags, and conflict of interest
- Ethics and regulation: where are the guardrails
- Client feedback and outcomes: do people feel heard and supported?
James Pirrie - Director - Family Law in Partnership
- When is NCDR inappropriate?
- How mediators/arbitrators handle allegations of coercive control or abuse
- Safe practice: screening tools and safeguarding procedures
- Alternatives for high–conflict or vulnerable parties
- Screening in an era of metal health–awareness
Stacey Nevin - Partner - Kingsley Napley
- How regional courts are interpreting and promoting NCDR
- Differences in uptake and support between regions
- Firm–level innovation in delivering NCDR services outside London
- What can be learned and replicated nationally
Jo O’Sullivan - Family Mediator - O'Sullivan Family Law
- Managing client needs during NCDR proceedings
- Emotional and psychological support: the role of counsellors, coaches, and therapists
- NCDR in children cases and reaching child–focused outcomes

Partnership
Partnering on an event, or indeed the community as a whole, will increase your company’s profile and brand awareness.
We can provide bespoke value-adding partnerships. We will work in collaboration with you to develop a marketing solution to meet your objectives across varying events and thought leadership content. We will ensure that you gain value through the right medium, focused on your desired audience, with a true partnership that delivers value to your marketing needs. Want to know more?
For Partnership enquiries, please contact Dan on +44 (0) 20 3059 9524 or email dan@thoughtleaders4.com

Contact Us
Speakers
For Speakers enquiries please contact Seth on +44 (0) 20 3433 2282 or email seth@thoughtleaders4.com
Partnership
For Partnership enquiries please contact Dan on +44 (0)20 3059 9524 or email dan@thoughtleaders4.com
Booking & General
For Booking & General enquiries please contact Amy on +44 (0) 20 3059 9796 or email info@thoughtleaders4.com
Venue & Logistics
For Venue & Logistics enquiries please contact Chloe on +44 (0) 20 3038 4513 or email chloe.lomas@thoughtleaders4.com