The four parts of the event, organised by the Law Society of Northern Ireland’s family law committee, heard from a court children’s officer (CCO), a contact centre co-ordinator, a district judge and a solicitor.

Each presenter focussed on their specific aspect of the private law application jigsaw and in so doing was able to alert attendees to those issues that other court users and stakeholders needed to be aware of.

Maryanne Doherty, a contact centre co-ordinator, outlined what a contact centre is and what it does and does not do in terms of provision of supported contact.

Anne Miller, a court children’s officer, provided an overview of what each Trust provided as well as general information in regard to CCO applications, issues arising and how they can be addressed.

District Judge Prytherch, who has sat in in the Family Proceedings Court since 2005, presented the judicial view and areas that court users needed to focus on.

Concluding the event was the solicitors perspective, delivered by Anne Caldwell, an experienced family lawyer.