PAST EVENT

This session took place on Thursday 19 March 2026
For a copy of the recording and slides, please email Elouise at elouise.enright@surreylawsociety.org.uk

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Course outline

The family law environment continues to develop in response to changing client expectations, evolving service models and a wider range of options available to separating couples.

The session will explore a range of current issues and practical considerations, including:

• unbundled services and the use of disclaimers
• “one lawyer, one couple” models and services such as the Divorce Surgery
• the development and use of different NCDR models
• former lawyers working in the unregulated space
• the role of online support services
• practical resources to assist advisers (including bdgt, Mltpl and bank account tracing services)
• resources to support clients – including financial and children-related services and update on the work of the Family Solutions Group.

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Feedback from Karen’s previous sessions

• Karen was excellent, informative, interesting, and explained the main points in good detail
• Very clear and extremely interesting talk
• ⁠very knowledgeable, easy to follow with practical advice
• ⁠Karen is good and easy to listen to.

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Speaker

Karen Barham

Karen joined Moore Barlow LLP (formerly Barlow Robbins LLP) in 2006 bringing considerable knowledge and experience as a family lawyer, having specialised in this area for over 30 years. She practises exclusively as a mediator and parenting coordinator assisting couples and families when relationships break down. Karen is experienced in making arrangements for children and resolving financial aspects. She is also qualified in Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM) and is qualified to meet separately with children to ascertain their thoughts and views thereby giving them an opportunity to have a voice.

Karen has served as a co-director of the Family Mediation Council and Resolution. In 2016  she was awarded the Resolution John Cornwell award ‘in recognition of outstanding work to support separating families’.

Many families can be assisted to find solutions in out of court processes including mediation, collaborative law, early neutral evaluation, private FDRs and arbitration. Accordingly Karen has pioneered The Surrey Initiative.

Karen was named Family Lawyer of the Year at the SLS Legal Awards in 2021 and winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the SLS Legal Awards 2023.