Cumberland Lodge Annual Conference

You are warmly invited to the Association’s 41st Annual Weekend Conference at Cumberland Lodge.

As always, we have a fine programme with some very distinguished speakers. The final schedule will be published nearer to the time, but we are intending to offer talks on:

• Racial Bias in hair strand testing, Sarah Branson and Paul Hunter
• Experts in public law proceedings, Leslie Samuels KC, Jo Delahunty KC
• Artificial Intelligence in the Family Justice System, Aliya Saied- Tessier
• The Family Drug and Alcohol Court and why it matters, Jackson LJ
• Developments and Reform in Financial Remedies, Peel J and Peter Newman
• Recent developments in public law, Kate Burnell KC
• The Office of the Tipstaff, Richard Cheesley
• Modest assets in financial remedies proceedings, Leonie James and Giorgia Sessi

The cost of the weekend for all attendees is subsidised by the Association. In addition to the general subsidy we have consciously set the pricing structure to benefit further members who are in their first few years of practice and attendance is very significantly subsidised for those members in, or fresh out of, pupillage as well as those on parental leave.

If you have never been to Cumberland Lodge before, let me assure you that you will find the atmosphere informal, relaxed and friendly. The Chatham House Rule applies. It is a unique place, deep in The Great Park, Windsor, yet easily accessible by road, train and air. It is a glorious setting for a weekend conference, particularly if the sun shines. The dress code is casual for the duration of the weekend. People may choose to dress more smartly for the Saturday evening meal, however this very much optional.

For those who wish to attend Royal Chapel on Sunday morning (which is of course optional), please indicate when you buy your ticket for the Conference as we will have to provide your details to the security services for advance checking. You must bring a valid copy of your passport with you to be admitted into Royal Chapel. It will not be possible to add people to the list for admission to Chapel on the day, nor to permit entry without identification. Royal Chapel is a little more than a mile away from Cumberland Lodge. It is a pleasant walk, or you may be able ‘to cadge a lift’ from a fellow attendee. Transport to Chapel is not specifically provided so do please make your own arrangements if you wish to attend the service.

This is the first year that tickets will be offered for sale through the website. Tickets will go on sale at 12 noon on March 28th 2024, and must be purchased by no later than 12 noon on 19 April 2024. In many years the weekend has been oversubscribed and we expect this year to be no different.  Once they have sold out, we cannot offer more tickets, so please act promptly in order to secure your place at the Conference.

It is possible to reduce costs by sharing rooms. If you wish to share and either have agreed with another person to occupy a room jointly, or are content to be assigned a room-mate by the Secretary, please specify on the form when purchasing your ticket.

We very much look forward to seeing you there.

James Roberts KC, Chair