A collaborative session at the LSE Law Summit
The Dads House Family Law Clinic workshop at the recent LSE Law Summit brought together a committed team, including Sophie Hill of Coram Chambers. Over 60 students joined the session, making it one of the most attended and dynamic events of the conference.
A fresh approach to family law
The workshop, titled “The Future of Family Law”, stood out for its practical, trauma-informed approach. The team – Simon Bruce, Sophie Hill, Ceri Parker-Carruthers, Joanne Petschek, Jemma Jupp and Dr Kerry Devine – guided students through a series of real-world scenarios. Everyone had the chance to step into the roles of client, legal adviser, emotional support coach, mediator and observer. Sophie, who was appointed Honorary Counsel to Dad’s House Family Law Clinic last year, contributed her experience to the collaborative panel.
Hands-on learning
The session set up four Dads House clinics with three distinct appointments. Each appointment focused on a different stage of a family law case. This structure provided students with unique insight into the challenges and responsibilities of family lawyers.
The importance of pro bono advice
A key theme was the growing need for pro bono family law clinics. With limited access to legal aid, many families rely on support from organisations like Dads House and its volunteers. The panellists emphasised the value of kind, caring and practical advice, especially in complex and sensitive cases.
Recognising those who made it happen
The success of this workshop was thanks to the dedication of everyone involved. Special thanks go to Rebecca Howell, Saara Parijaat, Srisamvruta Sridhar, Hooi Wan Foon and Mahnoor Khalid for their hard work behind the scenes.
Looking to the future
With dedicated teams like Dads House and its supporters, the future of family law looks both caring and innovative. The event also highlighted the importance of collaboration between practitioners, students and organisations committed to supporting families in need.
