Tributes for Cornwell

Family lawyers have paid tribute to Resolution founder, John Cornwell, who passed away on 22 February.

Cornwell set up Resolution, then known as the Solicitors Family Law Association, in 1982. It is now an influential organisation of 6,500 family lawyers and associated professionals in England and Wales.

Cornwell was instrumental in the development of mediation in England and Wales, and co-founded the Family Mediators Association in 1998. He served as a deputy district judge of the Principal Registry of the Family Division of the High Court from 1986, and as a member of the Law Society Family Law Committee from 1993-99.

Liz Edwards, chair of Resolution, says: “Both Resolution and separating families owe a huge debt of thanks to John for his vision, passion and determination.”

Family lawyer David Burrows says: “John was a man with a fine heart, an indomitable ability to inspire and a delightful impatience.

“He embraced the spirit of the Report of the Committee on One-Parent Families and steered many of its ideas, such as conciliation (later mediation) and unified family courts, into the blood of the new [Solicitors Family Law] Association.”