Sara Chalk

(2018) Barrister

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Sara has been working in the legal sector for over 17 years and has practiced exclusively in family law for over 15 years. Sara transferred to the Bar in 2018 from her role as a Legal Executive Advocate working in private practice. Before being called to the Bar, Sara worked in private practice dealing with a range of matters including conveyancing, wills and probate, crime and family matters. In addition to working in private practice, Sara has worked in-house for a Local Authority undertaking litigation and advocacy relating to public law children matters. As a result of her work in private practice, Sara has an in-depth knowledge of the various stages of proceedings and pre-proceedings and applies this knowledge to her current practice. Sara has spent the last 15 years specialising in family matters which is something she really enjoys and this is the key focus of her practice. Sara is well known on the Western Circuit and receives regular instructions from local solicitors.

Qualifications

Chartered Institute of Legal Executives – LEVEL 3 & 6 Certificate and Professional Diploma in Law and Practice - 2014
Chartered Institute of Legal Executive Advocate - 2017
Admission to the Bar 2018

Membership

Lincolns Inn
Family Law Bar Association

Sara has extensive experience of dealing with vulnerable clients and is known for her conscientiousness, empathy and work ethic. Since transferring to the bar in 2018 Sara’s practice has continued to develop and expand. Following her transfer to the Bar, Sara was recognsied as a Rising Star in the Legal 500 and is now recognised as a Leading Junior in the Legal 500.

Sara continues to deal with a number of complex cases which includes allegations relating to:

Non-accidental injury to children including infant death, multiple fractures, bruising and complex head trauma.
Appeal following a finding of fact hearing on non-accidental injury.
Fabricated Induced Illness
Child sexual abuse including interfamilial sexual abuse.
Child pornography including indecent videos of children
Severe neglect of children's needs including neglect of medical needs
Implacable hostility and alienating behaviours
Female genital mutilation.
Honour based violence
Arranged Marriages

Sara is Direct Access Qualified, Should you wish to instruct Sara on a Direct Access basis, please contact the clerks.

In addition to her busy practice, Sara is a Pupil Supervisor within Chambers and is the Equality and Diversity Officer for Chambers.

More about Sara Chalk

Legal Expertise

For more information or to get in touch with Sara please contact the clerks room who will be happy to assist you.

Public Law Children: Care Proceedings and Adoption

In her role in private practice, Sara gained vast knowledge and experience of representing parents, family members (including intervenors), the Local Authority and Children’s Guardian in public law children matters from the pre-proceedings phase right through to final hearing. Sara has particular experience of dealing with parents with learning difficulties. Sara has continued to expand and develop her knowledge, skills and practice since transferring to the bar and represents parties in the following matters:

Emergency contested applications where a Local Authority seeks the removal of a child – Emergency Protection and Interim Care Orders.
Placement Order and Adoption Proceedings.
Applications under s34(4) s38(6) Children Act 1989.
Cases concerning domestic violence where sexual, physical or emotional abuse is alleged.
Cases including allegations of non-accidental injuries including infant death, multiple fractures and multiple bruising
Cases concerning alleged fabricated or induced illness
Cases concerning alleged neglect including chronic neglect
Cases concerning vulnerable parents or children including those with Special Educational Needs, cognitive impairment or capacity issues
Cases where drug and alcohol abuse or mental health concerns are a significant issue including matters before the Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC)
Special Guardianship and Wardship applications.
Recovery Orders
Secure Accommodation Orders.

Sara continues to accept instructions from all parties involved in public law care proceedings. Since transferring to the Bar, Sara has been involved in complex Finding of Fact hearings relating to allegations of non-accidental injury (including infant death), sexual abuse, indecent images of children and fabricated and induced illness. In November 2019 Sara represented a child through their Children’s Guardian at the Court of Appeal and continued to represent the child and Children’s Guardian at 10 day re-hearing of the Fact finding where she was led by King's Counsel. Sara has been led by King's Counsel on a number of complex cases since her transfer to the Bar and is readily able to identify those cases which requires the expertise of King's Counsel.

More about Public Law Children: Care Proceedings and Adoption

Private Law Children: Residence and Contact

More about Private Law Children: Residence and Contact

Private Law Children: Contact and Residence Disputes Under the Children Act 1989

Sara represents parents, step parents, grandparents and children via their Children’s Guardians in contentions matters relating to issues of contact and residence disputes including cases where there are complex allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse and cases involving allegations of parental alienation and national and international relocation. Sara represents Applicants and Respondents in cases involving applications for Child Arrangements Orders, Specific Issues Orders and Prohibited Steps Orders. Sara understands the sensitivity of these matters and has dealt with cases where one or more party has become implacably hostile. Sara works to achieve a fair and workable resolution keeping the child’s best interests at the forefront of the case.

Sara is currently the representative for the Bar on the Local Implementation Group for the Pathfinder process.

More about Private Law Children: Contact and Residence Disputes Under the Children Act 1989

Domestic Violence & Injunctions

Sara has represents both Applicants and Respondents on matters concerning applications for injunctive orders, non-molestation and Occupation orders. Sara has experience of dealing with cases involving complex allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and is able to identify the key issues in a case and the necessary evidential and legal issues. Sara has successfully assisted clients in proving that domestic violence has occurred or proving that false allegations have been made against them.

Sara accepts instructions at all stages of disputes from initial hearings through to contested interim and final hearings as well as finding of fact hearings and appeals. Sara also accepts instructions on short notice and urgent applications.

More about Domestic Violence & Injunctions

Professional Info

Qualifications

Chartered Institute of Legal Executives – LEVEL 3 & 6 Certificate and Professional Diploma in Law and Practice - 2014
Chartered Institute of Legal Executive Advocate - 2017
Admission to the Bar 2018

Membership

Lincolns Inn
Family Law Bar Association

Publications

Sara regularly provides training for clients of Chambers including bespoke in-house training. Sara is happy to discuss delivering bespoke in-house training.

Personal Info

Outside of her busy practice, Sara enjoys travelling and enjoying live music.

Cases of note

Cases of Note

Sara Chalk, a barrister at No.18 Chambers, is known for her strong expertise in family law, particularly in complex care proceedings and private children matters. She regularly acts for local authorities, parents, and children's guardians in cases involving serious allegations and sensitive issues. With over 15 years of experience, she is praised for her thorough preparation, clear advocacy, and calm, authoritative presence in court. Her work often involves high-stakes decisions concerning child welfare and safeguarding.

Re S (A Child) & L (A Child) [2024] EWFC 108 (B)

More about this case

Re N (A Child) [2019] EWCA Civ 1997 (19 November 2019)

News articles

News

Deprivation Of Liberty Orders - A Reminder Of Key Points

Over recent months I have noticed an increase in Deprivation of Liberty cases coming before the local Court and sadly these involve many young adults being in a mental health...

Risk assessments and consideration of risk management taking into account the Welfare Checklist - Re T (Children: Risk Assessment) [2025] EWCA Civ 93 (07 February 2025)

On 7 February 2025 the Court of Appeal handed down the Judgment of Re T (Children: Risk Assessment) [2025] EWCA Civ 93 (07 February 2025). This case relates to an...

Discharge of care orders - what are the factors to consider?

A large number of public law proceedings conclude with a Care Order having been made and a care plan of long term foster care. Parents often ask "what can I...

The Family Justice Council (FJC) guidance on responding to allegations of alienating behaviour

The Family Justice Council (FJC) has published guidance for Family judiciary, and those working in the Family Justice System, on responding to allegations of alienating behaviour. The guidance can be found...

A Family Court Judge is in a "much better position" than the Police to determine whether unsupervised contact with a child could be appropriately managed

Nottinghamshire County Council v The Mother & Ors (Police Bail) [2024] EWHC 666 (Fam) Those who deal with public law family cases will be familiar with cases relating to alleged non-accidental injuries...

S v Birmingham City Council & Ors [2024] EWFC 244 (B) (24 April 2024)

Application by Mother to reopen findings in care proceedings that were concluded in 2023, on the grounds that she was unable to attend court, due to the absence of an...

Stop Press : Sara Chalk reported in Re S (A Child) & L (A Child) [2024] EWFC 108 (B) – The Importance of Substantiating Evidence and Patterns of Controlling and Coercive Behaviour

No.18 Chamber’s Sara Chalk represented the Children via their 16.4 Guardian in HHJ Levey’s reported Family Court Fact-Finding Judgment from the hearing taking place on 9, 10 and 11 January...

Re R (Children: Findings of Fact) [2024] EWCA Civ 153 (22 February 2024): Care proceedings

Appeal by M against finding that injuries to child were caused by one of 6 relatives who were present, rather than accident. Appeal allowed & proceedings withdrawn. https://bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2024/153.html This Judgment was handed...

Children Law Update : a summary of key issues and updates relating to children matters

Below are a summary of key issues and updates relating to children matters. Covert Recordings and Electronic Evidence In December 2022, the Family Justice Council (“FJC”) released draft guidance on covert recordings in...

B v A Local Authority & Ors [2023] EWFC 154 (21 August 2023)

The case relates to an appeal of the Children’s Guardian against the decision of the lay magistrates to refuse the application of the Children’s Guardian for a full Friends, Family,...

Re C (‘Parental Alienation’; Instruction of Expert) [2023] EWHC 345

Allegations of parental alienation regularly arise within private law proceedings. Often this leads to the instruction of a psychologist to undertake a global psychological assessment of the family to assess...

Deprivation of Liberty Orders and the impact of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 - Tameside MBC v AM and others [2021] EWHC 2472

On 9 September 2021 the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 came into force, amending the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 so...

STOP PRESS – Sara Chalk reported in Court of Appeal representing child through her children’s guardian- Re N (A Child) [2019] EWCA Civ 1997

In March 2018 Sara Chalk represented the child through her Children’s Guardian at a 5 day fact finding hearing regarding non-accidental injuries of multiple bruises on several parts of the...

No.18 Chambers Welcomes New Tenant – Sara Chalk (2018)

No.18 Chambers is delighted to announce that Sara Chalk (2018) has accepted an invitation to join Chambers and will be available for work from the 26th March 2018 . Sara...

Reviews

Sara is a brilliant advocate. She is always well-prepared and puts the clients at ease at their very first meeting

Legal 500

Sara has been a meticulous and organised advocate during sensitive family proceedings. She has been clear and thorough in her preparation, given expert advice and helped to steer and navigate our journey in the most child focused and sensitive way. We are extremely grateful for her help and support and would thoroughly recommend her to other families.

Client

“Sara’s broad range of experience puts her n a unique position of being able to tackle issues from a range of angles. She is an excellent advocate who identifies with the needs of her clients and always goes the extra mile for them”

Jennie Swaby – Eric Robinsons

Instructing Sara was a real turnaround moment for a complex international case I had. She quickly grasped the issues, provided practical solutions and went the extra mile to ensure she was able to stay on the case, which was a great relief to me and the client as we were keen not to lose her!

Solicitor - Local Authority

Sara has excellent judgement. She is fearless, tenacious and eloquent. She leaves no stone unturned and as such her lay clients feel that every effort has been made on their behalf.recommended for advising on both financial remedy and care proceedings’ (Tier 1)

Legal 500

‘An outstanding advocate, who quickly identifies the core issues. Easily gets to grip with complex arguments. A brilliant advocate who goes above and beyond for clients.’

Samantha Jeanes – Abels Solicitors

Sara is a very strong advocate, always thoroughly prepared and able to tease out the relevant information and ask the difficult questions. She is also well-liked and particularly adept at giving difficult advice to vulnerable clients.

Legal 500

Sara is a meticulously prepared advocate. She has a knack of identifying the key areas of focus in case and exploring with witnesses those points to further her client’s case. She has commendable client care skills, immediately putting clients at ease with her personable and warm manner.

Sarra Gravestock - Biscoe’s

Seminars

Seminars & Events

Quarterly Children Update Webinar

Tuesday 13th of January 2026

No.18 Chambers Children Update Webinar hosted by Sara Chalk & Elicia Davis. Sara & Elicia and members of the Children Team will provide an update of case law changes to...

Quarterly Children Update Webinar

Tuesday 9th of September 2025

No.18 Chambers Children Update Webinar hosted by Sara Chalk & Elicia Davis. Sara & Elicia and members of the Children Team will provide an update of case law changes to...

Quarterly Children Update Webinar

Tuesday 10th of June 2025

No.18 Chambers Children Update Webinar hosted by Sara Chalk & Elicia Davis. Sara & Elicia and members of the Children Team will provide an update of case law changes to...

Private Law Children Seminar 2025

Thursday 27th of March 2025

Our Private Law Children Seminar 2025 is aimed at those currently practicing all aspects of Private Law Children and those who are otherwise interested. We are planning on an informative...

Care Seminar

Tuesday 19th of November 2024

Our Care Seminar is aimed at those currently practicing all aspects of Public Law / Care and Adoption Proceedings and those who are otherwise interested. We are planning on an...

Family Law (Public & Private Law Children)

Wednesday 8th of November 2023

Advocacy Training Seminar and Afternoon tea - 8th November 2023 - 2.5 hrs CPD Our Family Law Practitioners Training Seminar will provide valuable training to all support staff, paralegals/trainees and those...

Public Law Seminar 2023

Thursday 26th of January 2023

Our Public Law Seminar is aimed at those currently practicing all aspects of PublicLaw / Care and Adoption Proceedings and those who are otherwise interested. We areplanning on an informative...