Year of Call
2019“...so supportive, trusting, comfortable to be around, helpful and kind...”
Family law client
Biography
Sam joined Chambers in October 2021. He accepts instructions in civil and family law and represents clients in all courts including the High Court, County Courts and tribunals particularly the property tribunals. He also offers drafting and advisory services.
He gains good feedback for his work with comments from clients including: "both myself and my friend have great admiration for your manner and incredible knowledge, you helped me solve an immense problem yesterday and that in turn will help me to have closure and a peaceful life hereafter".
Sam undertakes and accepts instructions in a plethora of family work, including: financial remedy, private and public Children Act and domestic abuse cases. Clients are appreciative of his compassionate nature in conference, clear advice and negotiation skills as well as meticulous cross examination in court.
In civil litigation, Sam accepts instructions in possession and property disputes, credit hire and RTA matters as well as Environmental Protection Act disputes. Sam also advises on quantum for personal injury matters.
Prior to coming to the Bar Sam gained a lot of experience as a County Court Advocate undertaking non-PI RTA trials, including for credit hire, infant approval hearings, and residential possession applications for mortgagees. He also dealt with associated court hearings including interim applications for set aside; applications for relief from sanctions; strike out applications and costs hearings. He also worked at a firm of solicitors on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry assisting the bereaved, survivors and residents. Sam also volunteered at the Free Representation Unit dealing with social security appeals for his clients.
Children law (private)
Sam is regularly instructed in private children matters and is able to advise clients on the best steps to take in order to resolve issues. His pragmatic approach assists in concluding matters without increasing acrimony, but if resolution cannot be reached outside court then he will fight hard for his clients in the courtroom.
Sam regularly undertakes multi day fact-finding hearings and also has experience of making and defending against applications for prohibited steps orders, return orders and specific issue orders.
Sam has also assisted in complex private family matters including regarding international child abduction and parents who are alleged to be a risk to their child.
Children law (public)
Sam represents parents and Local Authorities in public children cases. This gives him a holistic understanding of cases from both perspectives and means that he is able to craft well-rounded arguments for his clients.
Sam accepts instructions for all types of hearings, from emergency ICOs up to final hearings. He also has experience of drafting threshold documents for Local Authorities.
Injunctions/domestic abuse
Sam regularly assists with urgent, ex parte and return hearings for non-molestation and occupation orders. Where these issues are coupled with private law proceedings Sam is able to advise on the potential interplay of the two matters.
Clients have found Sam’s solution focused and clear advice of assistance during these hearings which can be stressful and difficult. He is able to accept instructions at short notice and to quickly assimilate the facts in order to advocate effectively for his clients.
Personal injury, insurance and credit hire
Sam accepts instructions in respect of personal injury claims and acts for both Claimants and Defendants in county courts across England. He is often asked to provide advice on quantum, and to advise on proposed settlement for protected parties particularly children. He is able to deal with Stage 3 hearings.
Sam is frequently instructed in respect of insurance and credit hire claims and has experience beyond his call in regard to these due to his experience working as a County Court Advocate prior to coming to the Bar. He acts for Claimants and Defendants and is able to robustly advise on the issues raised as well as providing strong advocacy in court.
Property and possession proceedings
Sam is interested in property litigation, and is building his experience in all aspects of this work. His experience in family law means that he is ideally placed to advise on housing and property issues arising out of relationship breakdown, and particularly TOLATA claims.
Sam also has an active housing practice and regularly deals with residential possession matters, as well as acting for local authorities seeking possession of council properties.
Regulatory (Environmental Protection Act)
In tandem with his experience in possession cases and acting for local authorities, Sam has assisted residents who are affected by statutory nuisance which the local authority have not abated or are the responsible person for. He continues to welcome these instructions.
Sam undertook criminal work as part of his pupillage and so is experienced at appearing in the Magistrates Court where necessary as well as in the County Court. He is able to advise comprehensively on the process and procedure in both criminal and civil proceedings.
Instruct
To instruct Sam in family matters, please contact Jay Dorton or Stephen Bush.
To instruct Sam in civil cases, please contact Rob Johnstone.
Education
- LLB (Hons), University of Keele
- LLM, University of Keele