Aspects of Family Law in the Ancient World

Besides the remarkable diversity of the conference programme covering a number of periods, Mediterranean cultures and a range of legal systems which were beautifully laid out and thoroughly discussed, a distinctive feature of the conference was the concluding Public Event. In an attempt to highlight the relevance, the shared features and differences and thus the comparative element between ancient family laws and modern family laws―central aim of the conference― we invited a modern Judge, The Rt. Hon. Lord Wilson of Culworth (Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom), to chair a panel of 4 distinguished speakers, Sophie Démare-Lafont (Paris), Paul du Plessis (Edinburgh), Yifat Monickendam (Jerusalem), Chris Carey (UCL), who gave presentations tailored to the needs of both experts and non-experts and fostered lively discussion with the participation of the audience of about 150 members. It was a very lively and stimulating event which enabled members of the general public to attend a high-quality event for free and contribute to what it was an excellent evening full of law.

The event was sponsored generously by The UCL Greek and Latin, Leventis Fund and Professor Manuwald, HoD, honoured us with her presence, representing our department at this important public-engagement event. We had also the pleasure to welcome a number of notable UCL alumni, who were cordially invited to the event, by UCL's Departments of Greek and Latin (including Dr Margaret Mountford), Laws and UCL Institute of Archaelogy. The event was followed by a wine reception at UCL Quad, which was well-attended.