Gender and Inclusivity in International Families

London, United Kingdom

23 June 2022 - 25 June 2022


Thursday 23 June 2022

08:30 » 09:30 Registrations at Friends House
09:30 » 10:00 Welcome address by the AIJA President and the OC
10:00 » 11:15 LGBTQ+ 2022: An introduction and retrospective

An update as to developments in recent years and a look at potential progress and challenges facing LGBT+ communities in relation to rights and recognition.

Moderator:
John Davies, Farrer & Co LLP, UNITED KINGDOM 

Speakers:
  • Scott Halliday, Irwin Mitchell, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Paul van Lange, Voogt Advokaten, NETHERLANDS
  • Sandra Strahm, Schwärzler Rechtsanwälte, SWITZERLAND
  • Melanie Burtscher, Schwärzler Rechtsanwälte, LIECHTENSTEIN
11:15 » 11:45 Coffee Break
11:45 » 13:00 Financial orders on divorce: The same but different?

A panel discussion considering whether courts are gender blind when it comes to financial disputes on divorce or relationship breakdown.  What if the claim is made following the breakdown of a same-sex relationship?  Does that make any difference to the way the financially weaker/claimant party is treated in practice?

Moderator:
Jennifer Wilkie, Burness Paull, UNITED KINGDOM

Speakers:
  • Rachael Kelsey, SKO Family Law Specialists, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Frances Auchincloss Goldsmith, Libra Avocats, FRANCE
  • Roxane Reiser, 1 Hare Court, UNITED KINGDOM/SWITZERLAND

13:00 » 14:00 Lunch - at the seminar venue
14:00 » 15:15 LGBTQ+ Wealth Planning and tax

A panel discussion considering what considerations there might be when acting for members of LGBTQ+ families in different jurisdictions (including in jurisdictions where marriage is not open to them).  This discussion will also consider how “neutral” tax law is so far as it relates to LGBTQ+ issues and whether there are tax burdens which are more likely to affect LGBTQ+ people.

  • Hannah Mantle, Forsters LLP, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Ruth A Mattson, Verrill Dana, USA
  • Catherine Kavadze, MLL, SWITZERLAND
  • Valentin Todorow, Raue, GERMANY
  • Julien Tron, SWITZERLAND (Moderator)

15:15 » 15:45 Coffee Break
15:45 » 17:00 Pink Pensions

A session considering issues relating to LGBTQ+ pensions, including the extent to which the type of partnership determines the pension rights of partners and spouses.  Do partners have the same pension rights as spouses?  Is a less strict approach conceivable?  What about LGBTQ+ partners in jurisdictions where marriage is not open to them?

Moderator:
Ferenc Ballegeer, FB-tax, Belgium

Speakers:
  • Inès Amar, Libra Avocats, France 
  • Julius Berling, Mishcon de Reya, United Kingdom 
  • Matthijs Roest Crollius, Doorn &  Keizer, The Netherlands 
  • Lucy Chebout, Raue, Germany
17:00 End of first day scientific program
19:15 » 22:30 Thames Boat Dinner

• Embark: 19.15 at Westminster Pier
• Disembark: 22.30 at Westminster Pier

Friday 24 June 2022

09:00 » 09:30 Registrations at Friends House
09:30 » 10:45 The end of the rainbow – disputes within LGBTQ+ families

Moderators:
Emma Holland and Jenny Duggan
, Stewarts, UNITED KINGDOM 

Speakers:
  • Berangere Diot, Cadiou & Barbe FRANCE
  • Andrea Dorjee-Good, Schellenberg Wittmer, SWITZERLAND
  • Carolina Marin Pedreno, Dawson Cornwell, UNITED KINGDOM/SPAIN
  • Fernanda Machado, BRAZIL
10:45 » 11:15 Coffee Break
11:15 » 12:15 LGBTQ+ Asylum claims

A discussion concerning the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ asylum seekers fleeing persecution.

  • Malini Skandachanmugarasan, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Moud Goba, UNITED KINGDOM
12:15 » 13:15 Paths to parenthood

An introduction to LGBTQ+ paths to parenthood, including international and domestic adoption, surrogacy and assisted reproduction.  This session will explore the various options in different jurisdictions.

Moderator:
Katie Newbury, Kingsley Napley, UNITED KINGDOM

Speakers:
  • Connie Atkinson, Kingsley Napley, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Veronica Dindo, ITALY
  • Lieven Vandendriessche, BELGIUM
13:15 » 14:30 Networking Lunch
14:30 » 15:30 Keynote Speaker - “Trans* 101” 

An introduction to the trans* space designed for audiences coming to the subject for the first time.
15:30 » 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 » 17:00 Gender identity and children: experiences from different jurisdictions.

An exploration of the approach of the court to child welfare issues involving gender identity in different jurisdictions.  The role of parents, medical professionals, schools and the state.

  • Niamh Ni Ghairbhia, Garvey Avocats, FRANCE
  • John Davies, Farrer & Co LLP, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Katie Fudakowski, Farrer & Co LLP, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Kristin Doeberl, Verrill Dana, USA
  • Scott Halliday, Irwin Mitchel, UNITED KINGDOM
17:00 End of second day scientific programme
19:30 Friday optional dinner at several restaurants


* Payable onsite

Saturday 25 June 2022

10:00 » 16:00 Brunch at Granary Square Brasserie - Optional Social Program

You will be able to visit a free museum which has opened in Kings Cross on Queer Britain: https://queerbritain.org.uk/