Event Recap: Student Seminar. Panel on Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System

9 February 2026

On Monday 26 January 2026, The Right Honourable Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division of the High Court and Chair of the Family Justice Council, hosted a Student Seminar at Durham Law School on Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System. This event gave students an important insight into the work of the Family Justice Council and explored one of its recent projects on neurodiversity.

Sir Andrew was joined by panel members, Vinice Cowell, FJC Parent & Families Member, and Co-Chair of the FJC Neurodiversity Working Group, Jenny Beck KC (Hon), FJC Private Law Solicitor Member and Co-Chair of the FJC Neurodiversity Working Group, Dr Dafni Lima, Assistant Professor in Family Law, Durham Law School, and Dr Katherine Langley, Assistant Professor in Criminal Law, Durham Law School.

The panel discussion was then followed with a Q&A, where students had the opportunity to ask Sir Andrew and the panel follow up questions on this important issue.

The seminar was concluded with a drinks reception in the atrium of the Law School. The Law School would like to express their thanks to Sir Andrew, panel members, Family Justice Council, and the students that attended for an insightful and engaging seminar.

Further information on the speaker biographies can be found here Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System Programme.