“Sarah is an exceptional barrister, who is hard-working, enthusiastic and passionate.”
Sarah has an expansive practice in complex, high value commercial litigation and high profile regulatory/ public law matters. Sarah has particular expertise and experience in civil fraud (including cryptocurrency matters), as well as related proceedings concerning pre-emptive remedies (such as asset freezing orders) and contempt of court. Sarah is also recognised in the directories as a “Rising Star” in the field of Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law, which reflects her work across the professional discipline, banking/ financial services and aviation sectors.
Sarah undertakes both advisory and litigation work. As sole counsel, she has appeared in numerous different courts and tribunals, including unled in the High Court (Chancery Division and Commercial Court) and the Court of Appeal. Sarah has also appeared in the Supreme Court as part of a wider counsel team and has acted in various major international arbitrations.
Sarah’s recent work includes:
Sarah has particular expertise in civil fraud work, asset tracing and obtaining pre-emptive remedies, including asset freezing orders, evidence preservation, and pre-action disclosure, as well as proceedings for contempt of court for breach of pre-emptive orders. Sarah is also skilled in dealing with difficult cases of cyber-fraud and is one of the go-to juniors in the emerging field of cryptocurrency, having advised extensively on various matters involving cryptoassets, including in respect of freezing orders, proprietary injunctions, Norwich Pharmacal orders and other interim relief. Sarah has been instructed by major cryptocurrency exchanges that have been hacked as well as other cases where cryptoassets were obtained with the proceeds of other illegality activities, such as cybersquatting.
Sarah’s notable current and recent work in this area includes:
Sarah has a broad commercial practice conducting large scale, high value complex cases, including litigation of contractual, tortious and trust matters. Sarah has a diverse clientele including City, corporate and private clients. In particular, she is regularly instructed by leading multi-family offices who manage the assets and affairs of ultra-high net worth individuals. Sarah is frequently instructed in a range of domestic and international disputes in the Commercial Court and Chancery Division.
Sarah’s current and recent commercial work includes:
Sarah is also a regular contributor to LexisPSL Dispute Resolution and co-authored the paper produced by a COMBAR members, advising the Ministry of Justice on the effect of Brexit on International Arbitration – Click here to view.
Sarah regularly undertakes a wide range of banking and financial services work. She is part of the team of barristers who have been advising the Ministry of Justice, in conjunction with COMBAR, on the impact of Brexit on the UK’s Financial Services industry. Sarah is also a regular contributor to the Journal of International Banking and Financial Law. Sarah also advises firms on compliance, investigations and anti-money laundering issues.
Sarah has recently:
Sarah is regularly instructed to appear as counsel in major international arbitrations including under LCIA/ICC/UNCITRAL rules and ad hoc.
Examples of Sarah’s recent work includes:
Sarah is experienced in acting in a wide range of public law work, including cases that raise prisoner rights, immigration, human rights and civil liberties issues. In her first years of practice, she was a member of the Treasury appointed ‘Baby Barrister’ panel.
Sarah’s notable work includes:
As noted above, Legal 500 identifies Sarah as one of four “Rising Stars” in the field of Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law.
Sarah is experienced in acting in a wide range of regulatory cases. She has been instructed in professional disciplinary proceedings and has dealt with allegations of misconduct, fraud, misappropriation of client monies, dishonesty and other breaches of professional codes of conduct.
Sarah has an established practice acting as a junior counsel for numerous regulators, including the Civil Aviation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority; for further information on this type of work, please see the sections on her profile about Aviation and Banking and Financial Services.
The Law Society also regularly engages Sarah on a range of matters, including applications before the High Court and general advisory work. Examples of notable current and recent work includes:
Sarah has substantial experience of issues affecting the aviation sector and regularly advises airlines and airports as well as being a counsel of choice for the Civil Aviation Authority. Sarah has a particular knowledge of airspace regulation including a technical understanding of RNAV (area navigation) systems and their interaction with noise preferential routes (NPRS), as well as issues arising in the context of airspace change processes (ACPs).
Sarah’s most notable and recent work includes:
Prizes & Scholarships
BPTC: Lord Denning Major BPTC Scholarship; Accommodation Award; Hardwicke Entrance Award; Buchanan ‘Outstanding’ Prize and the ‘Chomeley Studentship’ Award.
Undergraduate: ‘Best in Year’ Herbert Smith Prize for ranking 1st in Year and other prizes for highest marks in individual modules, sponsored by White & Case, and O’Melveny & Myers.
Mooting: 2011 UK National Champion and World Finalist, Phillip C. Jessup Public International Law Moot Court Competition (representing Durham University) and ‘Best Oralist in the Final’, Prizes and 2006 National Champion, Bar Council’s National Mock Trial Competition.
Pro Bono & charitable work
Sarah is committed to pro bono work. In particular, she has a long-established record of advising on education law and Special Educational Needs’ issues, including in conjunction with the charitable organisation IPSEA. In her spare time Sarah is also a champion of Borneo based Orangutan Foundation International and has previously volunteered to care for orphaned wild orangutans and to assist with conservation of their rainforest habitat.
"She is incredibly capable and understands the various legal thresholds. She is able to distil down what we need to present to the court and her success rate is outstanding." "She can turn her hand quickly to matters and has good drafting skills." (Chambers & Partners 2022)
“Sarah is an exceptional barrister, who is hard-working, enthusiastic and passionate.” (Legal 500, 2022)
“She is a very capable, hard-working and enthusiastic junior” (Legal 500, 2021)
Sarah is a “Rising Star” in the field of Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law (Legal 500, 2021)