Jeremy Ford is an experienced family arbitrator who specialises in child advocacy. He joined Setfords in January 2018 after spending six years at Cafcass.
What was your route into the profession?
I studied law at the University of Reading and obtained my PGDL at the College of Law in Guildford. I undertook my training contract with what was then Ashton KCJ in Cambridge. I then moved to London with a firm now called Blake Morgan and it was there that I came across the work of Cafcass Legal whilst involved in a child abduction case. I liked the idea of representing children and was lucky enough to secure a role with them for six years. In that time I was exposed to the most fascinating cases in the High Court and beyond (many of them have been reported) which allowed me to develop my knowledge base and advocacy skills which I am now able to offer to parents again.
My parents were very keen that I become a lawyer from an early age and so I went with it to be honest. They obviously know me better than I know myself as the qualities required in a lawyer suit my skillset.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
I was appointed Advocate to the Court in the case of JS (Disposal of Body), Re [2016] EWHC 2859 (Fam) (10 November 2016) where the application concerned a young teenager with a terminal illness who wished for her body to be cryogenically frozen upon her death. The difficulty in that case was that there was no precedent to work from as the issue had never been raised in this country. It involved deep legal research into other jurisdictions to assist the court in its decision making. Ultimately her final wish was granted. As Mr Justice Peter Jackson said (Now Peter Jackson LJ) this case was 'an example of the new questions that science poses to the law—perhaps most of all to family law'.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
Without question it is Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE, QC (Hon) at Dawson Cornwell. She has been a leading light in the family law profession for many years particularly within the field of child abduction and forced marriage. If my career is half as successful as hers I will be happy.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I would love to teach. I was a student teacher in my gap year (many years ago) and there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing a child put in practice what you have taught them.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
I know the right answer is meant to be Atticus Finch but Harvey Spectre from Suits has to be my favourite. Have you ever seen an episode with him attending CPD? Me neither.
What change would you make to the profession?
I think the profession is in pretty good shape. I would however like to see the introduction of no-fault divorce. Quite why we still have to draft fault based divorce petitions is beyond me – it just ups the ill feeling between separating couples and needs to be consigned to the bin.
How do you relax?
Exercise mainly. I’ve started playing rugby again and have found that a relaxing outlet; though the spate of injuries suffered by my teammates has given me cause for concern.
I also love spending time with my wife and two young children. I’ll often help my son out with his next epic Minecraft build. He often tells me that the only limit is my imagination!
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