Practice Overview

Sharon specialises exclusively in cases involving children, both in private law and public law proceedings, which results in her being instructed in the most complex of cases within each area. She is consistently ranked in the legal directories as a leading junior barrister who is outstanding in her field. Sharon is instructed as a junior to, and appears frequently against, Leading Counsel in a number of cases each year, and her workload sees her regularly appearing in the High Court, as well as appearances in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

• Children (public law)

  Within the public law arena, Sharon is consistently instructed in cases, often in the High Court, where she acts for the local authority, parents, guardian or intervenors. Sharon has undertaken a range of cases involving vulnerable clients, allegations of abuse/neglect, non-accidental injury cases with complex medical issues; and, exceptional cases involving honour violence and wardship.

  Sharon has acted pro bono in a number of recent cases in the Court of Appeal where wider issues of policy in public law proceedings have arisen.

• Children (private law)

  Sharon has extensive experience of child arrangement disputes within the private law field, and is regularly instructed in intractable child arrangement cases, leave to remove applications as well as having significant experience being instructed on behalf of the child in rule 16 cases.

  Sharon is regularly instructed in surrogacy cases, often involving international considerations, and has recently been involved in a number of cases arising from errors made by fertility clinics including the leading case of Re A and ors [2017] 1 FLR 366.

  She frequently represents high profile clients, often from the sports and entertainment industries with widespread media attention and multijurisdictional elements, which requires consideration of reporting restrictions.

• International family law

  Sharon regularly acts in cases involving cross-jurisdictional legal issues, whether in private or public law proceedings. She has extensive expertise in relocation cases.

• Domestic violence & injunctions

  Sharon has considerable experience of seeking injunctions either as freestanding applications, or arising during proceedings. She represents clients who are seeking or responding to applications for injunctions linked to domestic violence, forced marriage or occupation of the family home, often where the factual background is complex.  

• Modern families & surrogacy

  Sharon’s experience in this area means she is regularly instructed in cases involving surrogacy and assisted reproduction disputes in which issues of legal parentage and child arrangements arise.

• What the directories say

  2019/2020 ‘A meticulous, detailed lawyer who leaves no stone unturned. Clients feel that the best possible job has been done because nothing’s been missed. She’s tough when she needs to be but she’s not someone who will create an adversarial situation when there’s no need to do so. On her feet she’s very confident and articulate’. Band 1, Chambers UK

  2019/2020 ‘A classy advocate, she has a diet of high-profile work often appearing before High Court judges and the President of the Family Division’. Tier 1, Legal 500

  2018/2019: ‘Her systematic and in-depth approach to every case is a marvel.’ Tier 1, Legal 500

  2018/2019: ‘She is incredibly organised, meticulously detailed, and steadfastly conscientious in her work from the start to finish of every case.’ Band 1, Chambers UK

  2017/2018: A highly regarded practitioner: "She is clever, clients like her and she's very, very thorough. You will never find a point she has missed, and her cross-examination is good without ever being aggressive."  Chambers UK

  2017/2018: ‘One of the most thorough barristers.’  Legal 500

  2016/2017: A highly regarded practitioner. "She's fabulous and the most organised scheduler on the planet. Fantastically hard-working, she is a very effective senior junior who has a great way with clients." (Chambers & Partners)

  2016/2017: "An outstanding junior; her passion and commitment sets her apart."  Legal 500

  2015/2016: "Unbelievably dedicated and thorough, she sees points that others don't. Magnificent to have as part of your team, she produces schedules that are legendary."  Chambers UK

  2015/2016: "She is able to cut to the central issues immediately in any case"   Legal 500

  2014/2015: " Her passion, technical knowledge and preparation of cases inspire confidence in both solicitors and clients"  Chambers UK

  2014/2015: “an outstanding junior barrister, with passion and commitment”   Legal 500

  2013/2014: "Very impressive both in terms of her preparation and advocacy"  Chambers UK

  2013/2014: "recommended as a leading junior barrister"  Legal 500

  2012/2013: "exceptional for a junior barrister"  Chambers UK

  2012/2013: "an outstanding junior barrister"  Legal 500

• Notable Cases

  Re AB (Foreign Surrogacy Children out of the Jurisdiction) [2019] EWFC 22 (Fam)

  In the Matter of X (A Child) (No 4) [2018] EWHC 1815 (Fam)

  In the Matter of X (A Child) (No 5) [2018] EWHC 3442 (Fam)

  Re A and R [2018] EWHC 2771 (Fam)

  A Local Authority v A, B, C, D and E (Permission to Withdraw: Costs) [2018] EWHC 1841 (Fam)

  Williams and another (Appellants) v London Borough of Hackney (Respondent) [2018] UKSC 37 

  Re P-S [2018] EWCA Civ 1407

  In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Cases P, Q, R, S, T and U) (No 2) [2017] EWHC 2532 (Fam)

  Re R (Closed Material Procedure: Special Advocates: Funding) [2017] EWHC 1793 (Fam)

  Re J (Children) [2017] EWCA Civ 398

  In the Matter of X (A Child) (No 3) [2016] EWHC 2755 (Fam)

  In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case L) [2016] EWHC 2266 (Fam)

  In the Matter of X ( A Child)(No 2) [2016] EWHC 1668 (Fam)

  In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case G) [2016] EWHC 729 (Fam)

  In the matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008

  (Cases A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H) [2015] EWHC 2602 (Fam)

  Surrey County Council v Al-Hilli & Others (4) [2012] EWHC 4394 (Fam)

  Al-Hilli (Children), Re [2013] EWHC 3404

  Al-Hilli (Children), Re [2013] EWHC 2190

  In the matter of A (A Child) [2013] 1 FLR 948

  Redbridge LBC v B and C and A (through his Children's Guardian) [2011] 2 FLR 117

  AB v JLB [2009] 1 FLR 517

  Hertfordshire County Council v M. and Ors [2007] EWHC 2660 (Fam)

  A local authority v S.W.T (by his Guardian) [2004] 2 FLR 129 FD