Celebrating success in the family law community
The winners of the Family Law Awards 2019 were announced at the Ballroom South Bank last night. Over the past nine years, the Family Law Awards have recognised the leading players in the world of family law across England and Wales and the vital contribution they make to society.
The black tie event was a fantastic evening of celebration, attended by more than 500 guests from across the family law community, and hosted by David Salter. David is a well-known figure in the family law world having served as Chair of Resolution between 1997 and 1999 and as President of the International Academy of Family Lawyers between 2010 and 2012. Following his retirement as Joint National Head of Family Law at Mills & Reeve, he continues to sit as a Deputy High Court Judge and Recorder.
Andy Sparkes, Director of Legal Markets, said of the awards “As well as celebrating excellence and achievement in this hugely important area of legal practice, these awards also shine a much-needed spotlight on the vital role that family lawyers play in society, often under challenging circumstances”.
Awards were presented in 19 categories with Coram Chambers (pictured) receiving the award for Chambers of the Year and the prestigious Cornwell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Family Law going to Nigel Shepherd, who has been a tireless proponent of the need to introduce “no-fault” divorce. Nigel said of his award, “I am honoured and delighted to receive this prestigious award and when I consider the contribution to family justice made by previous winners, including of course John Cornwell himself, I’m genuinely humbled to be in their company”.
Winners in three categories were voted for by the family law community. These included Family Law Clerking Team of the Year, sponsored by Level, which went to St John’s Chambers.
The Judges said that “This was a very tight race, but St John’s Chambers is commended for consistently providing some of the best clerking in the country. They stood out for recently undertaking one of the largest family law cases ever to be heard, with an unprecedented scale of litigation.
The Family Law Commentator of the Year, sponsored by Brewin Dolphin, was awarded to Laura Naser of Penningtons Manches. Laura commented on her win “The most incredible night to be amongst family law’s finest. To win is the biggest surprise and a career high. Thank you for inspiring us all”.
The full list of finalists and winners and more information on the annual event can be found on the Family Law Awards website familylawawards.co.uk
