The Night Before

Before the sleigh sets off on Thursday, join us for an exclusive evening in partnership with Provinziano & Associates.

On Wednesday 2 December, we’re opening the Festive Family Law Conference with a salon dinner at Towner Eastbourne, the town’s contemporary art gallery and host of the 2023 Turner Prize.

We’ll begin with a private after-hours view of Maybe: Ryan Gander, his first major UK institutional solo exhibition in nearly 20 years. Gander is one of Britain’s most internationally acclaimed contemporary artists, known for work that moves between sculpture, film, installation, writing and performance, often using humour, curiosity and playfulness to make us look again at ideas and assumptions we might otherwise pass by.

That feels rather perfect for FFLC.

Lawyers spend an extraordinary amount of time in their heads. Always analysing, advising, anticipating and moving from one problem to the next. Art and music can interrupt that rhythm in the best possible way: pulling us out of racing legal minds and into something more immediate, creative and human.

And that feels especially valuable in December, when everyone arrives at the end of the year carrying rather a lot.

So The Night Before forms part of the FFLC wellness programme. This is not wellness as another thing to achieve, but space to slow down, encounter something thought-provoking, listen, eat well and enjoy other people’s company.

After the private view, we’ll move through to Light, Towner’s restaurant, for a glass of fizz and a four-course festive tasting menu, accompanied by a matched wine pairing. A carefully matched non-alcoholic pairing will be available too.

And naturally, there will be some very FFLC touches. The elves have fully embraced the arts this year, so alongside the exhibition you can expect a little music, a little mischief and some unique artistic flair.

The evening is also part of our commitment to supporting the creative community around us, working with local artists and musicians and bringing some of Eastbourne’s own creative energy into the conference.

This is a conversational evening, not a second gala. No black tie and no lengthy speeches. Just good food, art, music and the chance for conference speakers and delegates to get to know one another before the serious business begins.

Dress Code: Festive Chic
Inspiration: what would those tiny creators and the Claus family wear to a rather fabulous evening at a contemporary art gallery?

Timings

6.45pm — Arrival
7.00 pm — Tour and private view of Ryan Gander

8.00pm - Private dinner at Light
10.30pm — Carriages

Towner is a short walk from The Grand Hotel.

The Menu

First course
Laminated brioche (GO) and cream of parsnip and parsley (VE)

Starter — choose one
Roasted artichoke heart, butter bean, confit shallot, wholegrain, tarragon (VE)
Scallops, clementine hollandaise, fennel, hazelnut (GF)
Duck liver parfait, toasted brioche, pickled shallot, sour cherry jam (GO)

Main — choose one
Chestnut pithivier, onion soubise, cavolo nero, mushroom ragout (VE)
Pan-fried sea bream, roast leeks, potato rösti, apple, clam chowder (GF)
Confit lamb shoulder, lamb fat crumpet, roasted turnip, salsa verde, lamb jus (DF)
Roast pheasant, carrot purée, confit sprouts and pancetta, orange peel pangrattato, Madeira jus (GO)

Dessert — choose one
Tunworth bon bons, cranberry compote, candied walnut
Caramel panna cotta, sticky gingerbread, black sesame tuile (GF)
Mince pie, filo pastry, mincemeat, brandy, eggnog custard (VE)

You’ll choose your starter, main, dessert and pairing when you book.

The wine pairing is matched to the menu, with a matched non-alcoholic pairing available as an alternative.

The Night Before is a separate booking from the main Festive Family Law Conference on 3 and 4 December.

Ticket Price - £90