Today’s Family Lawyer set to host conference on cohabitation

Today’s Family Lawyer, the leading source of daily news and information for family lawyers in England and Wales, is pleased to announce it is hosting a small conference focused on cohabitation law reform on 1st February next year.

Set to take place in Manchester, the event – which is the first in a series of small conferences – will see around 25 delegates come together to focus on the current state of cohabitation law, the conversation around reform, and pragmatic ways of working moving forwards – something all the more topical given the government’s dismissal of much of the Women & Equalities Committee’s report proposals.

Those attending will be family lawyers in the majority, but there will also be a presence of wills and estates practitioners to discuss the inheritance issues that often arise for cohabiting couples.

Delegates will discuss and debate the current position of the law as well as the arguments – both practical and ethical – for and against reform.

Agenda

10:00-10:30 – Registration and networking

10:30-10:45 – Welcome and Introduction from David Opie, Chair

10:45-11:15 – Keynote on the current position of the law with regards to cohabitation and the conversation around reform, including and since the Law Commission’s report on cohabitation in 2007

11:15-11:30 – Q&A with keynote speaker

11:30-12:30 – Women and Equalities Committee: The Rights of Cohabiting Partners. Discussion follows government’s rejection of majority of proposals. Were they the right proposals (considering practical and ethical arguments)? Why were they rejected? Where next for legislative reform?

12:30 – 13:15 – Lunch

13:15-14:30 – New ways of working: looking at ways family lawyers, wills & estates practitioners, and other parties (eg conveyancers) can work in new and pragmatic ways moving forwards to protect cohabitees and reduce disputes

14:30-15:00 – Event roundup

15:00 – Close

Further details, including speakers, will be announced in due course.

Those interested in attending should email Allie Jones, Events Manager, Today’s Media: allie.jones@todaysmedia.co.uk