Barrister Profile

Public Law / Care and Adoption Proceedings

Sarah accepts instructions from all parties to care proceedings and regularly represents Local Authorities and Respondents in public law matters, in addition to Applicants seeking to discharge care orders under the Children Act. Sarah has acted in cases involving allegations of sexual or physical harm to children, domestic abuse, substance misuse and neglect, and cases requiring the instruction of experts. Sarah accepts instructions at all stages of public law proceedings including contested final hearings or fact finding hearings.

Prior to joining chambers, Sarah had a wealth of experience in this area of law, having regularly represented clients at pre-proceedings (PLO) meetings with Children’s Services across Hampshire, Surrey and Wiltshire. During pupillage and since accepting tenancy, Sarah gained further experience dealing with contested interim placement hearings and Interim Care Order applications, and has successfully opposed the making of Secure Accommodation Orders on behalf of a parent. Sarah is also able to assist extended family members in applying for special guardianship.

Contact and Residence disputes under the Children Act 1989

Sarah regularly represents parents and extended family members in private family law matters in applications for Child Arrangements Orders (Live With and Spend Time With), Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issue Orders, in addition to applications for permission to apply for an order. On a number of occasions Sarah has assisted parties in coming to agreements on the terms of final orders and on others has successfully obtained orders for clients at a contested final hearing.

Sarah has dealt with a variety of disputes involving complicated factual matters that have required separate finding of fact hearings, matters in which PD12J has applied, and required the involvement of the Local Authority and/or Children’s Guardians.

Domestic violence & injunctions

Sarah has a volume of experience in acting for both Applicants and Respondents in matters under the Family Law Act, successfully obtaining Occupation and Non-Molestation Orders for vulnerable applicants. Sarah offers advice to clients facing these proceedings and has on many occasions managed to successfully negotiate with parties to resolve proceedings at return or final hearings. Prior to joining chambers, Sarah volunteered with the National Centre for Domestic Violence, preparing witness statements for use in ex-parte applications. Sarah can therefore also assist with the drafting of applications. Sarah accepts instructions for representation, advice and drafting at any stage of Family Law Act proceedings, and at both with or without notice hearings.

Sarah has had significant exposure to matrimonial and financial work, and during her pupillage provided pro bono advice and representation to vulnerable parties in relation to financial remedy proceedings. Since joining chambers as a tenant, Sarah has continued to accept instructions in family finance matters, and has assisted parties to negotiate settlements on matters including a transfer of tenancy and pension sharing orders. Sarah is able to take instructions from Applicants and Respondents following divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership.

Sarah has undertaken a significant amount of pro bono work during her pupillage and this has encompassed a number of Employment law advices and instances of representation for vulnerable lay clients. Sarah has advised on constructive and unfair dismissal, harassment, disability and other discrimination, time limits and remedy. Sarah continues to accept instructions in this area of law and has experience in representing both Claimants and Respondents in the Employment Tribunal.

Sarah acts for both Claimants and Defendants in Small Claims and Fast Track trials, primarily dealing with road traffic accidents and claims for damages and personal injury arising from the same. Sarah continues of accept instructions in this area of law.