International Family Law Conference 2025

WED 19 – SAT 22 MARCH 2025, CHAMONIX-MONT-BLANC, FRANCE. Leading private client and family law experts from all over the world will share their expertise on a diverse set of topics.

This isn’t just a boring legal conference—it’s a chance to connect, learn, forge friendships and enjoy world-class skiing and après ski against the stunning backdrop of the French Alps.

Tickets can be added to your basket in the Programme section, and in the Social events.

Speakers

Meet our distinguished line-up of esteemed speakers and industry experts.

Hanaa
Almoaibed
London School of Economics
Research Fellow
London, UK
Tim
Amos
QEB
KC
UK
Frances
Auchincloss Goldsmith
Libra Avocats
Partner
Paris, France
Andrzej
Bojarski
36 Family
KC
UK
James
Brown
Hall Brown
Partner
Manchester, UK
Simon
Bruce
Dawson Cornwell
Partner
London, UK
Serge
Calame
MLL Legal
Partner
Geneva, Switzerland
Harriet
Campbell
Womble Bond Dickinson
Legal Director
Newcastle, UK
Alexis
Campbell KC
29 Bedford Row
Barrister
London, UK
Jorge
Cestero
Sasser, Cestero & Roy
Senior Partner
West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Alexander
Chandler KC FCIArb
1KBW
Barrister
London, UK
Elizabeth
Clarke
Queen Elizabeth Building
Barrister
London, UK
John
Davies
Farrer & Co
Partner
London, UK
Hassan
Elhais
Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy
Legal Consultant
Dubai, UAE
Delphine
Eskenazi
Libra Avocats
Partner
Paris, France
James
Evans
Our Family Wizard
Head of UK Professional Education
London, UK
Nicola
Fox MCIArb
1KBW
Barrister
England
Naomi
Grimwood
Expatriate Law
Associate Solicitor
London, UK
David
Hansford
Expatriate Law
Associate Solicitor
London, UK
Eliza
Hebditch
Expatriate Law
Partner
London UK
Sophie
Hill
Coram Chambers
Barrister
London, UK
Michael
Horton
Coram Chambers
KC
UK
Marc
J. Halsema
Jaclise International LLC
Founder & Principal
Guildford, Connecticut, USA
Byron
James
Expatriate Law
Partner and Head of UAE
UAE
Christian
Kenny
Barrister
London, UK
Melissa
Kucinski
MKFL
Partner
Washington DC, USA
Sara
Lange
Expatriate Law
Solicitor
UK
Hero
Lomas
Expatriate Law
Partner
London, UK
Pamela
M. Sloan
Aronson, Mayefsky, and Sloan LLP
Partner
New York, USA
John
M. Teitler
Teitler
Partner
USA - New York
Katharine
Maddox
Maddox & Gerock
Partner and Principal
USA, Virginia
Philip
Marshall KC
1KBW
Barrister
London, UK
Anna
McKenna KC
1KBW
Barrister
London, UK
Caroline
McNally
Hugill & Ip Solicitors
Partner
Hong Kong
Kelly
Merris
Hugill & Ip Solicitors
Senior Associate
Hong Kong
Nicholas
Mostyn
After-Dinner Speaker
National Lead Judge
Lily
Mottahedan
1HC
Barrister
UK
Philippe
Pulfer
Walder-Wyss Rechtsanwälte
Partner
Switzerland - Geneva
Isabelle
Rein-Lescastereyres
BWG Associés
Partner
Paris, France
Kristin
S. Doeberl
Verrill Law
Partner
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Sharon
Segal
1GC
KC
UK
Oscar
Smith
Expatriate Law
Senior Associate
UK
Arthur
Snell
Writer, Podcaster and International Political Commentator
London, UK
Alexandra
Tribe
Expatriate Law
Partner
UK
Clare
Usher-Wilson
Summit Group
Head of Family Office
Geneva, Switzerland
Nicolas
W. Lobenthal
Teitler & Teitler, LLP
Partner
New York, New York, USA
Brad
Westerfield
Butler Snow
Attorney
London, UK
Jennifer
Wilkie
Burness Paull
Partner
Edinburgh, Scotland
Markus
Zwicky
Zwicky & Partner
Partner
Zug, Switzerland

Sponsors

A special thanks to our sponsors for their generous support.

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Educational Programme

Our conference, to be held at the historic La Majestic conference centre in Chamonix, will run from 9am to 5.30pm on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 March 2025. We will break mid morning for coffee and pastries, lunch, and for afternoon tea.

We will post the running order for the educational programme in October, but in the meantime, we thought you would want to see the interesting and wide ranging topics that will be covered, through presentations and panel sessions.

  • Acting for (or against) the international sports star
  • Anglo-Swiss divorces – a mother/daughter perspective
  • Five things that Private client advisers wish Family lawyers would understand (Panel session)
  • Panel: Family law and the same sex couple – how are things now in your jurisdiction? (living together, getting married,
  • having children, getting divorced)
  • Panel: Family life in the Gulf – the pace of change
  • Panel: International relocation of children
  • Post-separation assets: how are they regarded in your local court?
  • Prenups
  • Social media as evidence in family law cases
  • The PACS and Part III
  • The recognition of foreign divorces

Speakers from our International Family Law Conference in Lisbon 2024

Accommodation

Recommended hotels for the International Family Law Conference Chamonix

Le Sapiniere

We at Expatriate Law have booked the whole hotel for the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, which is why we are able to offer you such low prices for this gorgeous hotel.  As a result, rooms booked here are non-refundable.  Small doubles are €195 per night and large double or twin rooms are €235 per night.

In addition, breakfast is mandatory and is 15.90€ per person per day. There is also tourist tax at 1.60€ per person per day which are not included in the nightly room rate.

To book your accommodation at La Sapiniere, please email Mandy Laycock at info@chalethotelsapinierechamonix.com and mention the Expatriate Law conference of course.

Le PlanB Living Chamonix

A lifestyle hotel, just two minutes from the Aiguille du Midi cable car and a 10-minute walk from the Majestic conference centre. PlanB is a living space for all ages, combining events, a restaurant, accommodations, all in stylish surroundings that you’ll want to enjoy again and again.

Click here to book this hotel

Le Faucigny

A charming hotel at the foot of the Mont Blanc, in a Scandinavian-inspired decor with cosy spaces. The decorations and warm spaces of Scandinavian inspiration create an atmosphere conducive to sharing. The attentive listening of the teams as well as the hospitality there reflects the history of this house, in which one may come to live a refined and friendly experience.

Click here to book this hotel

Le Chalet Whymper

A 4-star establishment in the form of a large family chalet in the mountains, refined and friendly. A ‘home away from home’ in a chic and authentic setting with a charming and comfortable atmosphere. The ideal Its Spa and communal areas offer a unique experience in a unique location.

Click here to book this hotel

Les Gourmets (soon to be Le Lyret)

Located in the heart of Chamonix and completely renovated this autumn, just a 5-minute walk from the conference centre. No other information as the hotel is under renovation.

Click here to book this hotel

Heliopic

Ideally located at the foot of the Aiguille du Midi cable car, the Heliopic Hotel & Spa is a superb address since 2013. The retro- chic design offers a warm and cosy atmosphere and is ideal to gather and relax for cocooning stays and seminars at the summits. Its high-end key point? The size of its living areas and the spacious rooms with balcony. The cherry on the cake? its spa with its 15 m long pool.

Click here to book this hotel

Le Labrador

The hotel that allows you stay in a room with a breath-taking view of the Mont Blanc, in a cosy and warm atmosphere, at the gateway to the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. You can also be pampered with massages and treatments for a moment of well-being during your stay.

Click here to book this hotel

Social Events

Social events for the International Family Law Conference Chamonix

Wednesday 19th March – Welcome Drinks at La Folie Douce 7-9pm

Kindly sponsored by 1 Kings Bench Walk chambers, glamorous welcome drinks will take place on the outdoor terrace of La Folie Douce hotel in Chamonix, under the magnificent backdrop of the Mont Blanc. This is a free event for delegates, but you will require a ticket which which you can book below.

Your evening is free after these drinks, so if you wish to book a table for dinner at La Folie Douce, please follow the instructions below.

Restaurant booking details for La Folie Douce hotel:

For reservations less than 12 people, contact the restaurant:
lapetitecuisine.chx@lafoliedoucehotels.com

For group bookings (more than 12 people), email Clarisse Vatinel:
mice.events02@lafoliedoucehotels.com

Thursday 20th March – Quiz night and Buffet dinner at La Sapiniere 7.30-10.30pm

Our Family Wizard are co-hosting. Drinks for this event have kindly been sponsored by xxx. The cost of dinner for this event is £25 and the quiz and dinner ticket can be booked through the booking page (link this).

Friday 21st March – Black Tie Gala Dinner and dancing at La Cabane

Join us for a spectacular evening of drinks, dinner and dancing at the beautiful restaurant La Cabane which looks out on the Aiguielle du Midi and Mont Blanc. The champagne reception is generously being hosted by 1 Hare Court chambers, and Sir Nicholas Mostyn has kindly agreed to be our after dinner speaker.

Included within the ticket price is a mini bus to take you to and from the gala dinner, as well as all drinks, a 3-course dinner and dancing.

Saturday 22nd March – Dine-round on Saturday night

Join one of several small dinners in local restaurants around town, being generously hosted by local firms and some of our other sponsors. Sign up forms will be circulated nearer the time.

Travel

Available travel arrangements for the International Family Law Conference Chamonix

Geneva Airport, Switzerland

  • Distance to/from Chamonix: 88km
  • Flight time from the UK: approximately 1hr 35 minutes
  • Drive from Airport to Chamonix is 1hr 15 minutes
  • Total travel time: 2hr 50 minutes
  • Airlines which fly to GVA from the UK, the US, and the UAE:
    • From the UK: British Airways, Easyjet, Swiss international Airlines, Jet2.com
    • From the US: 1 stopover: Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, Icelandair
    • From the UAE: Direct: Emirates 1 stopover: Pegasus Airline (1 stopover), Egyptair (1 stopover), Qatar Airways (1 stopover)

Turin-Caselle Airport, Italy

  • Distance to/from Chamonix: 175 km
  • Flight time from the UK: approximately 1hr 30 minutes
  • Drive from Airport to Chamonix is 2hrs 20 minutes
  • Total travel time: 4hr 15 minutes
  • Airlines which fly to Turin (TRN) from the UK, the US and the UAE:
    • From the UK: British Airways, Ryanair, Easyjet, and Jet2
    • From the US: 1 stopover: Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines
    • From the UAE: 1 stopover: Emirates, Etihad

Milan Bergamo, Italy

  • Distance from Chamonix: 220 km
  • Flight time from the UK: approximately 2 hours
  • Airlines which fly direct to BGY from the UK, the US and the UAE:
    • From the UK: Ryanair
    • From the US: 1 stopover: Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines
    • From the UAE: 1 stopover: Emirates, Etihad

Milan Malpensa, Italy

  • Distance from Chamonix: 175 km
  • Flight time from the UK: approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes
  • Airlines which fly direct to MXP from the UK, the US and the UAE: All direct flights from the 3 countries:
    • From the UK: British Airways, Ryanair, Easyjet (mainly from London, Manchester, and Edinburgh), and Jet2 (mainly from Leeds and Manchester)
    • From the US: Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines
    • From the UAE: Emirates, Etihad

Milan Linate, Italy

  • Distance from Chamonix: 143 km
  • Flight time from the UK: approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes
  • Airlines which fly direct to LIN from the UK, the US and the UAE:
    • From the UK: British Airways, Easyjet, ITA Airways

Geneva Airport, Switzerland

  • Distance to/from Chamonix: 88km
  • Flight time from the UK: approximately 1hr 35 minutes
  • Drive from Airport to Chamonix is 1hr 15 minutes
  • Total travel time: 2hr 50 minutes
  • Airlines which fly to GVA from the UK, the US, and the UAE:
    • From the UK: British Airways, Easyjet, Swiss international Airlines, Jet2.com
    • From the US: 1 stopover: Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, Icelandair
    • From the UAE: Direct: Emirates 1 stopover: Pegasus Airline (1 stopover), Egyptair (1 stopover), Qatar Airways (1 stopover)

Turin-Caselle Airport, Italy

  • Distance to/from Chamonix: 175 km
  • Flight time from the UK: approximately 1hr 30 minutes
  • Drive from Airport to Chamonix is 2hrs 20 minutes
  • Total travel time: 4hr 15 minutes
  • Airlines which fly to Turin (TRN) from the UK, the US and the UAE:
    • From the UK: British Airways, Ryanair, Easyjet, and Jet2
    • From the US: 1 stopover: Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines
    • From the UAE: 1 stopover: Emirates, Etihad

Milan Bergamo, Italy

  • Distance from Chamonix: 220 km
  • Flight time from the UK: approximately 2 hours
  • Airlines which fly direct to BGY from the UK, the US and the UAE:
    • From the UK: Ryanair
    • From the US: 1 stopover: Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines
    • From the UAE: 1 stopover: Emirates, Etihad

Milan Malpensa, Italy

  • Distance from Chamonix: 175 km
  • Flight time from the UK: approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes
  • Airlines which fly direct to MXP from the UK, the US and the UAE: All direct flights from the 3 countries:
    • From the UK: British Airways, Ryanair, Easyjet (mainly from London, Manchester, and Edinburgh), and Jet2 (mainly from Leeds and Manchester)
    • From the US: Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines
    • From the UAE: Emirates, Etihad

Milan Linate, Italy

  • Distance from Chamonix: 143 km
  • Flight time from the UK: approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes
  • Airlines which fly direct to LIN from the UK, the US and the UAE:
    • From the UK: British Airways, Easyjet, ITA Airways

We at Expatriate Law  want to encourage our delegates to travel to this beautiful part of our planet in ways which minimise our carbon footprint, so if you are able to avoid one or more flights on your journey to or from the conference, please let us know how you have arrived and we will honour you at the conference as an eco-warrior and award you with a special eco-prize!

From London

  • Best train journey: London → Paris → Bellegarde-sur- Valserine →  St-Gervais-les-Bains – Le Fayet → Chamonix.
  • Time: The daytime train from London to Chamonix requires 2h15m to Paris, 4-6 hours to St Gervais, and 1h15m from St Gervais to Chamonix. You will need to leave London St Pancras around 7am to make it to Chamonix by 6pm.
  • Booking link: www.eurostar.com, www.sncf-connect.com.

From Milan

  • Journey: Milan → Martigny → Chamonix.
  • Time: The fastest route takes around 4h 49m with 2 changes. To arrive by 6pm, you should catch the train around 10am.
  • Booking link: www.raileurope.com

From Paris

  • Journey: Paris → St Gervais → Chamonix.
  • Time: The total journey takes about 6-7 hours. You would need to leave Paris Gare de Lyon before 9am to reach Chamonix by 6pm.
  • Booking link: www.sncf-connect.com

From Geneva

  • Journey: Geneva → St Gervais → Chamonix.
  • Time: The direct train takes about 2h 41m. To arrive by 6pm, catch the 3:30pm train from Geneva.
  • Booking link: www.sncf-connect.com, www.thetrainline.com

Geneva (GVA):

Geneva is the most popular airport for travel to Chamonix due to its convenient transport links and travel times available at a range of prices.

  • Shuttle: 1hr 15 mins – apprx 20-50 Euros per person
  • Taxi or Über: 1hr 15 mins – Apprx 200-250 Euros one way, bookable on arrival
  • Private transfer: Please contact Mountain Drop-Offs or Alpybus to arrange your private transfer.
  • Mountain transfer: Book with Mountain Drop Offs and mention ‘Expatriate Law’ for a discount of X% between 18 and 22 March 2025.
  • Train: 3hr – apprx 30-40 Euros/CHF 80 per person. Changes required at both Martigny and Vallorcine (these stations are small so the changes should not be stressful).

Turin-Caselle (TRN):

  • Taxi or Über: 2-2hrs 30 mins, apprx 200-250 Euros one way, bookable on arrival
  • A private transfer: 2hrs 20 mins, apprx 300-400 Euros. Some companies offer private transfers from Turin to Chamonix. Please contact these providers directly to book.
  • Mountain transfer: Apprx 50 – 60 Euros per person. Book with Mountain Drop Offs and mention ‘Expatriate Law’ for a discount of X% between 18 and 22 March 2025.
  • Train: 4-5 hrs: 30-50 Euros per person. Change at Aosta and Pré-Saint-Didier required.
  • By hire car: 2-2hrs 30 mins. Book directly with a car hire company, such as Rental Cars or Europcar.

Milan Malpensa (MXP)

  • Taxi or Über: approx 2 hours 30 mins – 3 hrs, 300-400Euros
  • Private transfer: Approx cost 350-400 Euros. Book directly through one of the following providers:
  • By hire car: Driving to the centre of Chamonix takes 2.5 to 3 hours but please keep in mind that snow chains will be required during that time of the year, and that a mandatory fee of 55 Euros will be payable to pass the Mont Blanc tunnel. If you still choose to hire a car, you can pay said fee upon arrival at the tunnel. Book directly with a car hire company, such as Rental Cars or Europcar.
  • Mountain transfer: approx €50 to €60 per person. Book with Mountain Drop Offs and mention ‘Expatriate Law’ for a discount of X% between 18 and 22 March 2025.
  • Train: 6-7 hrs, XX Euros per person. Requires a change at Milan Centrale and Martigny.

Milan Linate (LIN)

  • Taxi or Über: approx 3-4 hrs, 300-450Euros
  • Private transfer: Approx cost 350-400 Euros. Book directly through one of the following providers:
  • By hire car: Driving to the centre of Chamonix takes just over 3 hours but please keep in mind that snow chains will be required during that time of the year, and that a mandatory fee of 55 Euros will be payable to pass the Mont Blanc tunnel. If you still choose to hire a car, you can pay said fee upon arrival at the tunnel. Book directly with a car hire company, such as Rental Cars or Europcar.
  • Mountain transfer: betwen 50 to 100 Euros per person. Book with Mountain Drop Offs and mention ‘Expatriate Law’ for a discount of X% between 18 and 22 March 2025.
  • Train: 5-6 hrs, XX Euros per person. Requires a change at Milan Centrale and Martigny.

Milan Bergamo (BGY)

  • Taxi or Über: approx 2-2 hours 30 mins, 300-350 Euros
  • Private transfer: Approx cost 350-400 Euros. Book directly through one of the following providers:
  • By hire car: Driving to the centre of Chamonix takes 2.5 to 3 hours but please keep in mind that snow chains will be required during that time of the year, and that a mandatory fee of 55 Euros will be requested to pass the Mont Blanc tunnel. If you still choose to hire a car, you can pay said fee upon arrival at the tunnel. Book directly with a car hire company, such as Rental Cars or Europcar.
  • Mountain transfer: approx €50 to €60 per person. Book with Mountain Drop Offs and mention ‘Expatriate Law’ for a discount of X% between 18 and 22 March 2025.
  • Train: 6-7 hrs, XX Euros per person. Requires a change at Milan Centrale and Martigny.

Further travel info

Please see the Chamonix website for an extended list of travel options.

  • Geneva:

     

     

    Geneva is the most popular airport for travel to Chamonix due to its convenient transport links and travel times available at a range of prices.

    • Shuttle: 1hr 15 mins – apprx 20-50 Euros per person
    • Taxi: 1hr 15 mins – Apprx 200-250 Euros one way
    • Train: 3hr – 30-40 Euros per person
  • Turin-Caselle:

    • Shuttle: 2hrs 20 mins: 250-300 Euros private hire
    • Train: 4 hrs: 30-50 Euros per person

Milan Malpensa

Milan Linate

Milan Bergamo

 

Please see the Chamonix website for an extended list of travel options.

Chamonix is not a big place and you should be able to walk from your accommodation to the welcome drinks at La Folie Douce hotel, to the conference at Le Majestic conference centre and to the Quiz night at Le Sapiniere easily and all these are shown on the maps below.

The exception to this is the Gala dinner at La Cabane on the Friday night, for which we will be organising minibuses.

Skiing

For skiing, you can walk to and from Brevent lift and the Aiguille du Midi lift but to ski from any of the other lifts, you will either need to take the local bus (please include a link to the timetable and bus route map) or the local “Mont Blanc Express” train.

  • For the Flegere lift, get off at Les Praz.
  • For the Grands Montets lift, get off at Argentiere
  • For the Le Tour lift, get off at Montroc-Le Planet
  • For Vallorcine, get off at Vallorcine.

Alternatively, you can park at the bottom of all these lifts.

Accommodation content to go here

Important to know: bus rides will be provided to bring everyone from their hotel to la Cabane on Saturday 22 march, where the dinner and gala will be held.

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