Founder and Chairman

Sir Paul Coleridge

The launch of The Marriage Foundation is rooted in the vision and concern of Paul Coleridge. He was appointed a High Court judge in 2000 after 30 years as a family law specialist barrister. He deals with complex cases of family break up, especially those which involve children. 

Patrons

 Baroness Deech QC

Ruth Deech is Gresham Professor of Law (from 2008) and Chair of the Bar Standards Board (from 2009). She was Principal of St Anne’s College 1991-2004; Chair, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority 1994-2002; BBC Governor 2002-06; Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education 2004-08; Board Member, Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and Racism, Tel Aviv University; Chair, Academic Panel, Stuart Young Foundation; Trustee, Jewish National Fund; Trustee, Community Security Trust; Trustee, Coexistence Trust; Executive Council Member, International Society of Family Law.

Baroness Shackleton

Fiona Shackleton was appointed to the House of Lords in 2010; she works with a variety of high-profile clients, primarily dealing with family work. Shequalified as a solicitor in 1980, joining Brecher & Co in 1981 and was made a partner later that year; joined Farrer & Co in 1984 where she became a partner in 1987; currently a Partner at Payne Hicks Beach which she joined in 2001; personal solicitor to Prince William of Wales and Prince Harry of Wales; Honorary Doctorate Exeter University, 2010.

Elizabeth Butler-Sloss was called to the Bar in 1955; she was appointed a Registrar in the Registry Family Division in 1970 and subsequently a High Court Judge, Family Division (1979-1988) and then to the Court of Appeal (1988–1999).  From 1999 until her retirement in 2005 Lady Butler-Sloss was President of the Family Division. She was made Baroness Butler-Sloss of Marsh Green in 2006. 

In 1987/88 she chaired the Cleveland Child Abuse Inquiry and was chairman of the Security Commission between 1994 and 2005. She has been the Chancellor of the University of the West of England since 1993 and holds a number of Honorary Fellowships including St Hilda’s College, Oxford, King's College, London, the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.



Lady Toulson CBE DL

Elizabeth Toulson was called to the Bar in 1974. She is a is a Board Member of Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People and a member of the governing body of Charterhouse. She was High Sheriff of Surrey 2009-10 and has been chairman of the Children's Society and of Time for Families.