In private law proceedings, Sam has acted in many complex finding of fact hearings with allegations including sexual abuse, serious violence, and non-accidental injuries. He also has experience of cases involving honour-based violence, forced marriage, and radicalisation. He frequently represents parents in cases where there are allegations of parental alienation and cross-allegations of domestic abuse.
Sam is frequently sought after for reinstruction on cases from beginning to end and is happy to provide tactical advice to solicitors and lay clients throughout the proceedings.
Sam’s recent caseload include:
- Representing the mother in the High Court where there were allegations of forced marriage and honour-based violence.
- Representing the mother in a complex finding of fact hearing where there were allegations of sexual abuse of the child.
- Representing the child (through a rule 16.4 guardian) on an appeal in the High Court from a final order in private law proceedings.
- Representing the mother in a private law fact find where she had stabbed the father causing serious injury. The court found that the mother had stabbed the father in self-defence and at the end of the proceedings the children were returned to her care.
Qualifications
LLB (International), University of Leicester & La Trobe University, Melbourne.
Bar Professional Training Course, University of Law, Birmingham
Recommendations
Chambers & Partners 2024 Family: Children – Band 3
“Samuel’s client care and case presentation to the court is exceptional.”
“Sam is a highly skilled advocate, but he has an ability to put his client at ease. He is also always thoroughly prepared.”
“Samuel is great with clients and will always go above and beyond to ensure that clients are cared for.”
Legal 500 2024 Family: Children & Domestic Violence Ranked: Tier 3
Legal 500 2023 – Child Law (Public and Private) Ranked: Tier 3
“Samuel is very good at adapting to the needs of a client and is a very patient person. He makes clients feel that they have been listened to and will make sure every client has understood and is OK before finishing his involvement with them. He is very knowledgeable, and this is always a benefit with clients.”
Legal 500 2022 – Child Law (Public and Private) Ranked: Tier 3
‘Sam’s attention to detail is second to none. He has a very professional and sympathetic approach with clients and his advocacy is highly skilled. I would have no hesitation in recommending him.’
Appointments
Chair, Nottingham Bar Mess
Pupillage Committee & Pupil Supervisor, St Ives Chambers
Committee, Midland Circuit Social Mobility Committee
Mentor for Young Legal Aid Lawyers, University of Nottingham Bar Society & DMU Bar Futures Programme
Committee, Young Legal Aid Lawyers (2018-22)
JUSTICE Working Party ‘Improving Access to Justice for Separating Families’ (2021-22)
Advisory Board, Accent Discrimination and the Bar, NTU & DMU (2021-22)
Junior to the Midland Circuit (2018-19)
Assistant Junior to the Midland Circuit (2017-18)
Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit),
Midland Circuit
Justice
Young Legal Aid Lawyers
Lincoln’s Inn
Awards
Pegasus Scholarship, Pegasus Trust (2018)
International Legal & Professional Development Grant, Bar Council (2016 & 2017)
Continuing Education Bursary, Lincoln’s Inn (2016)
Criminal Bar Association Bursary for Excellence in Advocacy (2015)
Eastham Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn (2014)
Hardwicke Award, Lincoln’s Inn (2011)
Reported cases
Care
Derbyshire County Council v Shannon Marsden & Ors [2023] EWHC 1892 (Fam)
Re H and Others (Children) (Fact Finding: Rib Fractures) [2021] EWHC 2041 (Fam)
Private law
The Mother v The Father and Anor [2024] EWHC 272 (Fam)
Re ABCDEF (Fact Finding: Honour Based Violence)[2019] EWHC 406 (Fam)
Privacy Notice
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