Year of Call
2019“...so supportive, trusting, comfortable to be around, helpful and kind...”
Family law client
Biography
Sam is building a successful mixed practice in civil and family law. He represents clients in civil and family courts at all levels, and 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 disputes, 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 personal injury cases, credit hire and breach of contract disputes. Sam also advises on quantum for personal injury matters.
Prior to coming to the Bar Sam gained a lot of relevant 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.
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.
Family finances
Sam has experience dealing with Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and is continuing to build this practice, having assisted clients in all stages of proceedings, from first hearings to multi-day final hearings.
Solicitors comment that Sam is very helpful with a calm manner which is appreciated by clients. He is able to advise and negotiate in particularly difficult situations.
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.
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
Notable Cases
R v L [2023]: Sam represented a Husband in a multi-day final hearing arguing against financially significant conduct arguments raised which affected the wife’s income and assets thereafter.
Re M [2023]: Sam acted for the Guardian in a public law children matter after a change in the case's direction following difficulties with parental substance misuse and concerns with the child’s placement. Sam advocated for directions trying to steer the case in the best direction for the child on behalf of the Guardian.
I v S [2023]: Sam represented and supported a Mother through a 4 day fact-finding hearing in relation to allegations of sexual abuse, emotional abuse and abuse against the children, resulting in the court making these findings against the Father.
N v LA [2023]: Sam acted for the defendant Local Authority in an inherent jurisdiction case in the High Court (Family Division), assisting the court in concluding that the application should go no further and be dismissed.
C v B [2023]: Sam represented a client accused of dishonesty, and through cross-examination and submissions established that the client was not fraudulent in their actions and it was in fact the opposing party who was being dishonest.
B v P & P [2023]: Sam represented a trust of homeowners seeking contested damages against homeowners within the residence, resulting in his client being awarded damages as well as interest at a commercial rate.
P v L [2023]: Sam represented a vulnerable client in an application to have default judgement set aside. A litigation friend was appointed who then applied for summary judgement. Sam was successful in obtaining summary judgment, raising arguments which made clear that the opposing party’s case was totally without merit, as the court noted.