We’re a national charity that provides practical and emotional support to people attending civil or family court cases without legal representation. Our vision is to help unrepresented litigants better access justice.
As an independent charity we need to raise significant funds to ensure our services can continue helping a growing number of people in need. We are looking for dynamic, pro-active, experienced and well-connected senior leaders within the family law community who can help us by sharing their networks and advice. They will become our Family Ambassadors that helps raise funds and awareness of Support Through Court.
Family Ambassadors raise funds by:
- Engaging corporate support for fundraising products (such as our Guardians Network and Partnership scheme) through your company or personal network
- Gift in kind support – offer rooms for meetings and events, or offer marketing expertise
- Introducing speakers, help shape high level events, promote and sell tickets for events
- Promoting Support Through Court to personal and professional networks, to engage supporters and sponsors
- Make a personal contribution of at least £35 per month, which over a year equates to supporting over 120 people through our National Helpline.
Family Ambassadors are senior level individuals with a drive to increase access to justice.
James Evans (Chair of the Family Ambassador Board): James is a Professional Liaison at OurFamilyWizard and is the UK Representative for the programme. Having spent 4 years as a teacher, James joined the Family Law community 3 and a half years ago to introduce Family Law Practitioners around the country to OurFamilyWizard. James works with Courts, Chambers, Firms, CAFCASS, Organisations and Charities to help parents with their communication. James is a member of the East Sussex Resolution committee, the Family Dispute Solutions Group, the Family Law Language Project and is the chair of Support Through Court’s Family Ambassadors Board. James was shortlisted for an Innovation Award in Mediation in 2021 and in 2022, was shortlisted for Resolution’s Innovation Champion Award. James graduated from the University of Sussex receiving a BA Hons in Theatre and Film Studies.
Anna-Laura Lock: Anna-Laura is a highly experienced family lawyer with over 12 years’ expertise in complex cases involving divorce, finances, children, and international elements. Resolution-focused, she aims to avoid court where possible. Recognised by Legal 500 as a Rising Star and Next Generation Partner, she also contributes widely to legal publications and sits on key committees supporting families and access to justice.
Camini Kumar: Camini has specialised in family law since she was called to the Bar in 2008. Her practice focuses on the financial consequences of relationship breakdown and private children law. Camini is a qualified Arbitrator (MCIArb) and available to conduct arbitrations in both financial and children matters and, where appropriate, both together.
Laura Rosefield: Laura Rosefield, former criminal barrister and founder of Rosefield Divorce Consultancy, has been a divorce consultant for over 10 years. Laura combines legal expertise, strategic guidance, practical advice and emotional support in all areas of family law. She specialises in navigating high conflict cases – both involving money and children.
Melanie Bataillard-Samuel: Melanie is a family law solicitor at MBS Family Law. Since qualifying as a solicitor in 2007 Melanie has solely practised family law. Her caseload covers a wide variety of divorce matters, financial provision arising out of the breakdown of a relationship and disputes involving children. As a dual French/British national, Melanie has always specialised in advising French expatriates on family law matters in England and Wales, usually in French. Melanie is Chair of Resolution.
Raphaela Kohs: Raphaela is a Senior Associate at Bivonas. She was previously a family law solicitor at Hughes Fowler Carruthers, where she moved from Lawrence Stephens in 2024. She trained at an international family practice prior to joining Lawrence Stephens to assist in setting up a new family department. Raphaela specialises in a broad range of family law matters including complex financial proceedings and international families. Prior to training as a lawyer, Raphaela worked for a domestic violence charity as an advocate.
Sarah Williams: Sarah is a Legal Director in the Payne Hicks Beach Family department, and the Head of the Surrogacy, Adoption, Fertility and Modern Family law practice. In addition to being an experienced family lawyer, Sarah has a Court of Protection practice focused on health and welfare disputes concerning vulnerable and incapacitated adults. Sarah spent the first decade of her career as a practising Family Barrister at a leading set of chambers representing parents, children, guardians and the Official Solicitor in both public and private law. Sarah was appointed as Junior Counsel to the Crown by the Attorney General after a highly competitive selection process. Sarah is a member of the Family Law Bar Association, Association of Lawyers for Children, both the Adoption Committee and the Assisted Reproduction Technology Committee of the American Bar Association and sits pro bono on the Men Having Babies US Grant Committee. She is the Vice Chair of the Bar Liaison Committee and sits on the Executive Committee of Inner Temple.
Opportunities and benefits from joining:
- Make a positive impact on your community, empower people alone in court
- Acquire further skills in fundraising, leadership and volunteering; all desirable for future trustee positions
- Be part of a successful volunteer fundraising board and help take their fundraising to the next level
- Highlight your philanthropy within a business environment
- Become part of the Support Through Court family, receive regular updates, visit your local service office and come to our networking events