5SAH Chambers is delighted to be a Sponsor of the Conference
| Date: | Tuesday 8th July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 09:00 |
| Venue: | Cavendish Conference Centre, London |
| Cost: | See website for further details |
Join the Family Law Week - International Children’s Law Summer Conference - on the 8th July 2025 at the Cavendish Conference Centre. This conference will bring together leading experts to explore key issues, developments, and challenges in the field.
Attending an international children’s law conference focused on child abduction cases offers invaluable insights into the legal complexities surrounding international abduction, as well as practical strategies for handling such cases.
5 St Andrew's Hill is delighted to be one of the event sponsors.
We are also pleased to announce that Niamh Willkie (Chair), Gemma Lindfield, Mark Smith, 5SAH Chambers & Iwona Durlak, IMD Solicitors, are on the speaking panel, discussing:
- Child Abduction & Extradition: A Tale of Two Returns.
Speakers:
- Niamh Wilkie - 5SAH Chambers - Chair
- Gemma Lindfield - 5SAH Chambers
- Mark Smith - 5SAH Chambers
- Iwona Durlak - IMD Solicitors
Niamh Wilkie practices exclusively in family law. Prior to joining the Bar in England, she worked as a Barrister and in other legal disciplines in the Republic of Ireland, the Middle East, and the USA. Niamh holds a specialist qualification in international arbitration. Within her private children practice, Niamh is regularly instructed on international child abduction cases and relocation cases. Niamh has experience with both Hague Convention and non-Convention proceedings concerning child abduction.
Gemma Lindfield MCIArb is a barrister and arbitrator (children scheme) at 5SAH specialising in family and extradition. She has particular expertise in international cases, particularly where there are multiple jurisdictions here and abroad. Gemma is well known for her ability to tenaciously advance arguments in complex cases where there is no clear precedent.
Mark Smith is a barrister at 5SAH practising in family, extradition, and immigration law. He has particular expertise in cases involving cross-border issues and parallel proceedings across multiple jurisdictions. Mark regularly appears in cases with an international element before the Family Division and in extradition appeals before the Administrative Court.
Iwona Durlak is a Co-Founder and Senior Partner at IMD Solicitors LLP and an expert in international family law. She specialises in high-value financial settlements, cross-border divorce, and complex child relocation and abduction matters. Iwona frequently represents clients in high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional disputes, and is recognised for her strategic, client-centred approach. As a Partner overseeing services for private clients, she often collaborates across departments to ensure seamless legal solutions in cases involving criminal, family, and extradition dimensions.
Under her leadership, IMD Solicitors has gained national recognition, including being shortlisted for the LexisNexis Family Law Awards and named a “Firm to Watch” by The Legal 500. Iwona also serves on the Manchester Law Society Council and is Chair of its Family Law Committee.
