Fenners wins first prize at Ashtons Solicitors Charity Scavenger Hunt!

We had a fantastic evening taking part in the Ashtons Solicitors Charity Scavenger Hunt in Cambridge!

Melanie Benn, Quintin Langley-Coleman and Penny Grewcock explored some of the city’s hidden gems while helping raise over £4,000 for the Ashtons Charitable Trust; a brilliant initiative which supports community projects and local causes in the regions where Ashtons is based – including Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Leeds.

We’re also thrilled to share that Team Fenners took home first place! Thank you to Ashtons for organising such a fun and meaningful event, and to the Cambridge Union for hosting a lovely reception to finish off the evening.

 

Family Law Training Day 2025

Family Law Training Day 2025

The Cambridgeshire Local Family Justice Board and Fenners Chambers are delighted to invite you to the 2025 Family Law Training Day.

This in-person event will take place in the Engine Room at Sand Martin House and offers a valuable opportunity for professionals working in family justice to come together for a full day of updates, discussion and networking.

With contributions from members of the judiciary, leading barristers, medical experts and members from CFAB and CAFCASS, the programme will cover key issues in both public and private law, along with practical guidance on current challenges in the family courts.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your knowledge, hear directly from judges and experts, or simply reconnect with peers, this event offers valuable opportunities for all.

Attendance is free of charge and the event carries 5 CPD points. A networking lunch will be provided.

You can book your place by following the link here.

(Please note, as capacity is limited to 150, if your availabilities change please contact events@fennerschambers.com to cancel your ticket, so we can reassign it.)

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Programme

9.30 – 10 Registration

10   – 10.45 Update on Public Law – Patrick Freer and Rebecca Clarke, Regency Chambers

10.45 – 11.30 Assessments of Family Members abroad – Speaker from Children and Families Across Borders

11. 30 – 11.45 Coffee

11.45 – 12.00 Current issues in the Public Law –  HHJ Gordon-Saker DFJ

12.00 – 12.15 Police disclosure – Speaker TBC

12.15 – 1 Inflicted Head Injuries – Ibrahim Jalloh, Consultant Neurosurgeon (MEWA).

1– 2 Networking Lunch

2 – 2.45 Update on Private Law Children – Richard Balchin and Jeffrey Deegan, Fenners Chambers

2.45 – 3.15 CAFCASS presentation

3.15 – 3.30  Non-Court Dispute Resolution – Caroline Horton and Katherine Ferguson, Fenners Chambers

3.30 – 3.50 Tea

3.50 – 4.05 Current issues in the Financial Remedy Court – HHJ Spinks

4.05 – 5.20 Update on Financial Relief – Laura McGinty and Joshua Walters, Fenners Chambers

 

Parking information

Sand Martin House multi-storey

Car park charges apply 24 hours per day.

7am to 8pm:

  • Up to 1 hour = £2.50
  • Up to 2 hours = £4.00
  • Up to 3 hours = £5.50
  • Up to 13 hours (weekdays) = £12.00

Post code: PE2 8TY – as you turn into Bittern Way, the new hotel is on the left (opposite the passport office), follow road past the apartments on the left, road bends to right and the multi story is immediately on your left.

Barrier controlled.  Pay on exit. 14 blue badge spaces.  Website says there are 4 charging points (I will look next time I go as not noticed them and I drive an EV!)

Exit the car park same end as lifts and you will be facing Sand Martin House.

Pleasure Fair Meadow

Car park charges apply from 7am to 8pm.

  • Up to 1 hour – £2.50
  • Up to 2 hours – £4.00
  • Up to 24 hours – £6.00

Postcode: PE2 9PB – Turn onto Oundle Road from the town centre end, and it is on your right.

Pay and display. No disabled spaces or chargers.  5 min walk

Riverside

Car park charges apply from 7am to 8pm.

  • Up to 10 minutes = no charge
  • Up to 1 hour = £2.20
  • Up to 2 hours = £3.50
  • Up to 3 hours = £4.50
  • Up to 4 hours = £6.50
  • Up to 13 hours = £8.00

Postcode: PE1 1EG – this is the car park in front of Peterborough Court so everyone should know this one.  But if not, turn into road.  Key Theatre on right, car park on left, follow road around to access.

Barrier controlled,  pay on exit.  7 Blue badge spaces, 6 car chargers.  10-15 minute walk.

Car Haven

Car park charges apply from 7am to 8pm.

  • Up to 10 minutes = no charge
  • Up to 1 hour = £2.50
  • Up to 2 hours = £4.00
  • Up to 3 hours = £5.50
  • Up to 13 hours = £12.00

Disabled and Changing Places toilets facilities on-site

PE1 1YX – right in the centre of town and is a 15-20 minute walk.

Barrier controlled, pay on exit.  10 disabled spaces, 2 chargers.

Car park charges

Pay and display

Pay and display car park charges apply from 7am to 8pm.

You can make payments by:

  • Coins (no change given)
  • Credit or debit card (via Chip and PIN or contactless, including Apple and Google wave and pay)
  • Phone / app (from any of the providers on the National Parking Platform (convenience fees apply))

If you pay by card at one of our pay and display machines, you can use this service – https://www.myparkingreceipts.co.uk/ – to look up your receipts or create an account so receipts are automatically emailed to you after you make a purchase.

Pay on exit

Pay on exit barrier-controlled car parks will require you to pay for parking when you are ready to leave the car park.

You can make payments by:

  • Coins (change given)
  • Credit or debit card (via Chip and PIN)
  • Contactless (including Apple and Google Pay)
  • Online at www.peterborough.gov.uk/car-park-payments
  • QR code on signs and boards throughout the car park

Please note payment via the National Parking Platform is not available in these car parks.

Webinar: Adoption Reform: Contact with Birth Families

Webinar: Adoption Reform: Contact with Birth Families

Fenners Chambers is pleased to share the recording from our latest webinar “Adoption Reform: Contact with Birth Families”.

The webinar covers a range of topics, including the current legal framework for contact in adoption cases and the challenges of balancing adoptive stability with birth family connections. Our speakers also discuss practical approaches to managing post-adoption contact arrangements.

This session features expertise from esteemed speakers:

  • HHJ Liza Gordon-Saker DFJ
  • Lisa Hannant, Barrister, Fenners Chambers
  • Jade Cullum, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Regional Adoption Agency
  • Tom Hey, Family Finding Manager

This webinar was hosted in collaboration with the Local Family Justice Board. Find the webinar and materials below.

 

Lisa Hannant – Adoption Reform Presentation

Jade Cullum and Tom Hey – Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Regional Adoption Agency Presentation

Webinar:  Assessing and Supporting Parents with Learning Difficulties in Care Proceedings

The inaugural webinar of our 2024 series is now available on demand, following the publication of research featured in the webinar initially,

This webinar focuses on the critical topic of “Assessing and Supporting Parents with Learning Difficulties in Care Proceedings”. Our expert speakers delve into the complexities of providing support to parents with learning difficulties within the context of care proceedings. Key themes addressed include the role of adult social care for parents with learning disabilities when a child is no longer in their care, and best practices for assessing parents with learning disabilities, featuring valuable insights on the PAMS and Parent Assess models.

Speakers:

HHJ Liza Gordon-Saker: Cambridge and Peterborough DFJ

Sarah Seekins: Independent Social Worker

Mary Baginsky: Researcher, Kings College, London

In collaboration with the Cambridgeshire Local Family Justice Board, this webinar is an invaluable resource for legal professionals, social workers, and anyone involved in care proceedings.

Welcoming the festive season at the Fenners annual Christmas Drinks

Fenners Chambers was delighted to host our annual Christmas Drinks on 12 December, a fantastic way to welcome the festive season.

Thank you to everyone who joined us—it was wonderful to celebrate together! A special mention to the carol singers, whose performances truly brought the event to life.

Wishing you all a joyful and festive holiday season!

Family Law Training Day 2024

Family Law Training Day 2024

 

We are pleased to share the materials from this year’s Family Law Training Day. Thankyou to all who attended!

This event would not be possible without the help from our speakers, who delivered fascinating presentations on numerous topics. Thanks to HHJ Chaudhuri and HHJ Rod Spinks, Sarah Foster and Rebecca Clarke (Regency Barristers ), Eleanor Lothian (Price Bailey) Geneen Bill and Mary Donoghue (the Bedfordshire Police), Patronella Kapora (Peterborough Children with Disabilities Team) and Noorel Haque (Forced Marriage Unit), as well as our own Richard Balchin and Penny Grewcock.

Embedded above is the video playlist of each presentation. To sort through the presentations, click the playlist button in the top right of the player.

You will find links to the presentations below:

Financial Relief Update

Financial Remedies Forensic

Private Law Update

Police Disclosure – the New Protocol

Public Law Update

Peterborough Children with Disabilities Team

The Forced Marriage Unit