Master the legal tools and strategies to manage entrenched disputes and move beyond the cycle of hostility.
Family disputes are inherently complex, but intractable high-conflict cases are in a league of their own. When emotions run high, communication permanently breaks down, and traditional resolution strategies fail, professionals are left navigating a minefield of hostility, litigation abuse, and deeply entrenched grievances.
This is an advanced, intensive course designed for family law attorneys, mediators, social workers, therapists, and court professionals who operate on the front lines of seemingly endless domestic disputes. This course goes beyond basic conflict resolution, diving deep into the psychology of high-conflict personalities and the systemic cycles that keep families trapped in a relentless state of war.
Throughout this course, you will learn how to identify the subtle and overt drivers of intractable conflict, including untreated trauma, personality disorders, and coercive control. Through real-world case studies, psychological insights, and evidence-based interventions, you will develop a specialized toolkit to de-escalate crises, protect vulnerable parties, and move the most difficult cases toward a sustainable resolution.
What You Will Learn:
Whether you are litigating a bitter custody battle, managing a high-stakes divorce, or providing court-ordered therapy, this course will equip you with the advanced skills and confidence needed to break the cycle of chaos, regain control of the process, and bring stability to the families who need it most.
Senior Associate at Osbornes Law
Tom is a Senior Associate in the family law team at Osbornes. He is a children’s law specialist, and his practice spans the full breadth of public and private children’s law. Tom has significant experience in acting for parents and family members in care proceedings involving allegations of harm, whether it be physical harm, emotional harm, sexual harm, or harm as a result of poor mental health. Tom also specialises in cases involving suspected non-accidental injury, fabricated and induced illness, and cases featuring complex factual disputes and medical evidence. Tom is an accredited Children Panel member by The Law Society and is able to represent children in family law proceedings, both through a Children’s Guardian and directly. In his private work, Tom is experienced in representing parents in disputes on arrangements for their children, including cases that involve parental conflict, allegations of harm, domestic abuse, parental alienation, and those with an international element. Tom regularly represents parents in injunctive applications, including applications for Non-Molestation Orders, Occupation Orders, and Forced Marriage Protection Orders. In his adoption work, Tom represents both birth parents and prospective adopters in adoption proceedings, covering domestic and international adoptions. As a member of the family law organisation Resolution, Tom works to resolve family disputes in a constructive and non-confrontational manner. Tom is recognised in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners directories for his work. Outside of his practice, Tom is a member of the Executive Committee of The Association of Lawyers for Children and a member of the Children’s Committee at Resolution. Tom joined Osbornes in March 2020, having qualified and practised at a leading specialist family law firm.
Partner at Osbornes Law
Jonathan is a Partner in the Family Law Department. Jonathan qualified as a Family Solicitor in 2007 and holds the Law Society accreditation as a Children Panel member and a Children’s Representative. Jonathan is a Solicitor-Advocate, giving him additional cognizance into how the courts and child protection professionals respond to applications concerning children. He has extensive expertise in complex public law children matters involving medical evidence, criminality, mental health concerns, sexual/physical abuse, and multi-jurisdictional aspects. He is regularly instructed by parents, guardians, and children directly. He has a wealth of experience in resolving child arrangements, acting for parents, Rule 16.4 Guardians, or other family members. His cases include the relocation of children, substance misuse, emotional and physical abuse, international proceedings involving children, alienation, and wardship. He speaks conversational Spanish.
