More than 460 family lawyers from around the world — including our partner Caroline McNally — gathered in Dublin from 2nd to 6th of September 2026 for the IAFL Annual Meeting. Over four days, Fellows engaged with a diverse and thought‑provoking education programme covering international maintenance recovery, child relocation, forced marriage, and the evolving understanding of identity in family justice.
The International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) is an invitation-only global association of leading family-law specialists, founded in 1986 to strengthen family-law practice and the administration of justice. Its 1,114 Fellows across 128 jurisdictions share expertise on domestic and international matters, including divorce, finances, children, domestic abuse and dispute resolution. IAFL also supports judicial training, law reform and education, and convenes at meetings to advance international collaboration.
The keynote address by the Honourable Ms Justice Nuala Jackson reminded us that, despite the complexity of our work across jurisdictions, “we are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.” That theme echoed throughout the meeting, from Professors Marilyn Freeman and Aisling Parkes’ powerful session on identity and Article 8 UNCRC, to Brodie Riordan’s practical guidance on rethinking communication with clients and colleagues.
The programme concluded with the Audrey Ducroux Memorial Lecture delivered by Jim O’Callaghan TD, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Among the social highlights was the IAFL 40th anniversary celebration at the Aviva Stadium, where our Caroline McNally was honoured to receive the inaugural Keeper of the Flame Award, together with Corinne Remedios, recognising their work on IAFL is Forty. The project traced the Association’s journey from its first gathering of 46 Fellows in 1986 to today’s 1,114 Fellows across 128 jurisdictions — a testament to the strength and reach of our global community.
