Top Ranked in the Legal 500 2019 - 2021:
Sarah is recommend as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500 for her Employment and Family practice, she is described 'Excellent preparation. A formidable advocate and very experienced. She is able to advise the client appropriately. Very approachable.' 'Sarah is a very astute and knowledgeable barrister who is always well prepared and tactically knows the ropes and is someone you can always rely upon.'
Sarah spent a number of years as a solicitor before coming to the Bar in 2001, which solicitors find appealing given Sarah's insight into both sides of the profession.
She is also qualified to take cases direct from members of the public through the Direct Access Scheme.
Interests Outside the Law:
Sarah is an avid skier and horse rider.
Family and Finance
Sarah deals with all aspects of Private and Public children proceedings. She has experience of dealing with applications for;
- Residence
- Contact
- Prohibited Steps
- Parental Responsibility
- Care Proceedings
- Special Guardianship Orders
- Adoption
Employment Law
Sarah has substantial experience in employment and discrimination law and, in particular, cases involving the NHS. She deals with all areas of employment and discrimination law in the Employment Tribunal, County Court, High Court and Appellate Courts. Sarah acts for employers and employees alike.
In addition to a predominantly Tribunal-based practice, Sarah also regularly drafts Contracts of Employment, Compromise Agreements, Schedules of Loss and Counter-Schedules, Staff Handbooks and specific policies and procedures. She also provides written opinions on liability and quantum, as well as offers of settlement.
Sarah also has experience of the Judicial Mediation scheme which is offered by Employment Tribunals.
Sarah has experience of dealing with the National Health Service equal pay cases, including test cases.
Criminal Law
Sarah spent a number of years as a solicitor before coming to the Bar in 2001, which solicitors find appealing given Sarah's insight into both sides of the profession; she is also able to draw upon her experience in Family and Employment law to enhance her skills and knowledge. She regularly acts on behalf of both defence and prosecution in trials and criminal appeals. She is a Category 1 Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service.
Sarah is an experienced criminal practitioner and accepts instructions on the following criminal matters;
- Violent Offences
- Rape & Sexual Offences
- Drug Offences
- Fraud
- Motoring Offences
- Theft & Burglary
She is also qualified to take cases direct from members of the public through the Direct Access Scheme for appropriate cases.
Education
Schools and parents alike benefit from Sarah's combined expertise in children and employment law.
In addition to a predominantly Tribunal-based practice, Sarah also regularly drafts Contracts of Employment, Compromise Agreements, Schedules of Loss and Counter-Schedules, Staff Handbooks and specific policies and procedures. She also provides written opinions on liability and quantum, as well as offers of settlement.
Sarah also has experience of the Judicial Mediation scheme which is offered by Employment Tribunals, and is well versed in advising on negotiation and tactics.
Inquests, Regulatory and Professional Discipline
Sarah represents at inquests and takes an increasing interest in coronial law, acting not only for victims' families but also third parties.
Public Access
Sarah accepts Family, Employment and Criminal Law instructions on a Direct Access basis for appropriate cases. Please refer to the below pricing range for their services; this is subject to case type, complexity and seniority or experience of the barrister. Accurate quotes will be provided prior to commencement of the work involved.
Family
Conferences: £250 - £650 + VAT
Directions/Review Hearings, FHDRA's & DRA's: £500 - £1000 + VAT
FDA Hearings: £500 - £1000 + VAT
FDR Hearings: £1000 - £2000 + VAT
Full day hearings: £1000 - £3000 + VAT
Refreshers:£750 - £1500 + VAT
Half day hearings:£750 - £1500 + VAT
Advice & Preparation (Hourly): £150 - £250 + VAT
*These price ranges are based on local courts; other courts will incur a travel charge.
Please contact our Senior Family Clerk, Courtney ([email protected]), for more information.*
Employment
Conference (Hourly): £175 - £250 + VAT
Trial Hearings (Less than 5 Days): £1250 - £5000 + VAT
Additional Days:£750 + VAT
Pre-Trial Hearings: £750 -£1250 + VAT
Advice & Preparation (Hourly):£175 - £275 + VAT
*These price ranges are based on local Tribunals; other Tribunals will incur a travel charge.
Please contact our Employment Clerk, Tom ([email protected]) for further information.*
Crime
Magistrates
Advice & Preparation (Hourly Rate): £75 to £200 + VAT
Court Attendance (Day Rate):£300 £1000 + VAT
Conferences (Hourly Rate): £100 to £125 + VAT
Crown Court
Advice & Preparation (Hourly Rate): £100 to £250 + VAT
Trial Attendance (Day 1): £1000 to £4000
(Additional days) £500 to £1500 + VAT
Conferences (Hourly Rate): £125 £250 + VAT
Pre-Trial & Post-Trial hearings: £300 to £1000 + VAT
Court of Appeal & High Court
Advice & Preparation (Hourly Rate): £150 to £300 + VAT
Court Attendances (Day Rate): £1000 to £4000 + VAT
Conferences (Hourly Rate): £125 to £250 + VAT
*These price ranges are based on local courts; other courts will incur a travel charge.
Please contact our Senior Criminal Clerk, Paul ([email protected]) for further information.*
Employment Cases
- J v M (2021) successfully represented Claimant in unfair dismissal and redundancy pay claim. Read more.
- T v S (2021) Successfully represented the Claimant in a disability discrimination claim. The Claimant had brought the claim against her employer after they withdrew an offer of employment due to her Hemiplegia diagnosis. Read more.
- C v A (2018) successfully represented one of the UK's largest Health & Social Care Charity at a 3-day hearing at Liverpool Employment Tribunal against claims of race discrimination, harassment, unfair dismissal and breach of contract brought by claimant a self-employed yoga instructor. Read More.
- R v T (2017) successfully represented a City Banker after 3 days at the London Employment Tribunal. The client claimed his previous employer owed him commission from profiting projects during his time of employment at the firm.
- F v T (2015) successfully Represented the Claimant in a 3-week unfair dismissal and disability discrimination claim following a termination of employment. The Claimant had macular degeneration and by the point of the proceedings had lost over 80% of her sight. This is a very complicated condition and by its nature deteriorating all the time.
- P v A (2015) Acting for the Respondent in complaints of disability discrimination, race discrimination, religious discrimination and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and also a whistleblowing claim. This matter was originally listed for an 8-day hearing in Liverpool Employment Tribunal, and subsequently settled on the eighth day, to include a termination of the Claimant's employment with the Respondents.
- H v T (2015) Acting on behalf of a successful Claimant in unfair dismissal proceedings against his former employers. The Employment Tribunal found that the Claimant had in fact been unfairly dismissed, both on a procedural and on a substantive basis, following the Claimant clipping the wing mirror of a works van on the gatepost of the Respondent's yard.
- H v B (2014) Acted for the Respondent in successfully defending claims of constructive unfair dismissal and whistleblowing. The Claimant was an Air Traffic Controller at the airport. Following his involvement in an airprox (which is where two planes come within three miles of one another), he raised allegations of a health and safety nature, as a means of attempting to prevent the Respondents taking disciplinary proceedings against him for his previous negligence.
