Sharon Segal KC

Practice Overview

• Children (Public Law)

  Within the public law arena, Sharon is consistently instructed in complex 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 difficult medical issues; and, exceptional cases involving 'honour' violence and wardship.

  Sharon has acted pro bono in a number of 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.

  She frequently represents high-profile clients, often from the sports and entertainment industries with widespread media attention and multi-jurisdictional 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 complicated surrogacy arrangements and assisted reproduction disputes in which issues of legal parentage and child arrangements arise. Sharon has been involved in a number of cases which have developed the law in this field.

• What the Directories Say

  "Her ability to absorb detail is phenomenal: no page is left unturned and no line unread - she is steps ahead of most people around her. She can identify and focus on the real issues of a case and has real insight and good judgement. Her written work is thorough, thoughtful and detailed, demonstrating her meticulous preparation of a case. She is a persuasive advocate, always on point and prepared to fight for her client but at all times is respectful. Clients feel safe with her and always leave knowing she put their best possible case forward and worked hard for them - she inspires confidence." Band 1 - Chambers and Partners, 2024

  "Sharon is meticulous in her preparation, has excellent judgement and is a superb tactician. She has exceptional client care skills and is a superb advocate." Band 1 - Chambers and Partners, 2024

  "Sharon Segal is an absolutely brilliant junior. I know few barristers who could master the detail of a brief so quickly. She is absolutely fantastic in her written work and her research is second to none." Band 1 - Chambers and Partners, 2024

  "Sharon is extremely bright and is silk in the making. She is a thorough, helpful, and strong advocate and represents clients very well." Tier 1 - Legal 500, 2024

  "Sharon is unbelievably thorough, fabulously supportive and incredibly insightful."  Band 1 - Chambers and Partners, 2023

  "Sharon is a peerless senior junior. Her dedication, attention to detail and written work are quite extraordinary. She is a highly persuasive advocate, striking the right balance and tone so that judges listen to her. She is a fantastic tactician and has an excellent bedside manner." Tier 1 - Legal 500, 2023

  "A fabulous, top-notch barrister whose commitment and preparation are second to none.' 'She's a good advocate who is calm, precise and forceful.' 'Nothing escapes her notice - her command of thousands of pages in a case is unbelievable." Band 1 - Chambers and Partners, 2022

  "Phenomenally talented and experienced - her attention to detail is exceptional, leaving no stone unturned. She has brilliant judgement and unrivalled knowledge of case law.'" Tier 1 - Legal 500, 2022

  "An extremely knowledgeable, hard-working and formidable advocate who gives her all to her cases." "She has a brain the size of a planet and her attention to detail is phenomenal." "Sharon is exceptional and meticulous in her preparation. She absolutely inspires confidence in her clients." Band 1 - Chambers and Partners, 2021

  ‘Is exceptionally hardworking, all over the detail, the best children junior there is and a powerful advocate too. She is motivated by what is right and by doing her best for the children.’ Tier 1 - Legal 500, 2021

  "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 and Partners, 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, 2020

  "Her systematic and in-depth approach to every case is a marvel." Tier 1 - Legal 500,19

  "She is incredibly organised, meticulously detailed, and steadfastly conscientious in her work from the start to finish of every case." Band 1 - Chambers and Partners, 2019

  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." Band 1 - Chambers and Partners, 2018

  "One of the most thorough barristers."   Tier 1 - Legal 500, 2018

  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." Band 1 - Chambers and Partners, 2017

  "An outstanding junior; her passion and commitment sets her apart." Legal 500, 2017

  "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 and Partners, 2016

  "She is able to cut to the central issues immediately in any case."  Legal 500, 2016

  "Her passion, technical knowledge and preparation of cases inspire confidence in both solicitors and clients." Chambers and Partners, 2015

  "An outstanding junior barrister, with passion and commitment." Legal 500, 2015

  "Very impressive both in terms of her preparation and advocacy."  Chambers and Partners, 2014

  "Recommended as a leading junior barrister." Legal 500, 2014

  "Exceptional for a junior barrister."  Chambers and Partners, 2013

  "An outstanding junior barrister."Legal 500, 2013

• Notable Cases

  N (Adoption – Surrogacy), Re [2024] EWFC 41

  C v M (A Child) (Abduction: Representation of Child Party) [2023] EWCA Civ 1449

  D (A Child), Re (Abduction: Child's Objections: Representation of Child Party) [2023] EWCA Civ 1047 

  A v B & Ors (Wardship; Parental Order; s10(9) Leave Application) [2023] EWHC 1680

  Re S (Inherent Jurisdiction: Transgender Surgery Abroad) [2023] EWHC 347

  QQ v XX & Ors [2022] EWHC 2910

  X v Z (Parental Order Adult) [2022] EWFC 26

  Re Al M the publication judgment [2022] EWFC 16

  Re Al M the welfare judgment [2021] EWHC 3480

  Re Al M The Court of Appeal Fact-Finding Judgment [2021] EWCA Civ 1216 (5 August 2021)

  Re Al M The Court of Appeal Fact-Finding (permission to appeal) Judgment [2021] EWCA Civ 900 (15 June 2021)

  Re Al M The Lives With Judgment [2021] EWHC 1577 (Fam)(10 June 2021)

  Re Al M The Fact-Finding Judgment [2021] EWHC 1162 (Fam) (5 May 2021)

  Re Al M The Case Management Judgment of the President [2021] EWHC 915 (Fam) (12 March 2021)

  Re Al M The Court of Appeal Foreign Act of State Judgment [2021] EWCA Civ 129 (8 February 2021)

  Re Al M The Non-Molestation Judgment [2021] EWHC 3305 (Fam) (9 December 2020)

  Re Al M The Foreign Act of State Judgment [2020] EWHC 2883 (Fam) (29 October 2020)

  T (A Child), Re [2021] UKSC 35

  G, Re [2020] EWFC 94 (22 December 2020)

  Al M (Children) [2020] EWCA Civ 283 (28 February 2020)

  Al M (Publication) [2020] EWHC 122 (Fam) (27 January 2020)

  Al M (Assurances And Waiver), Re [2020] EWHC 67 (Fam) (17 January 2020)

  Al M (Fact-finding) [2019] EWHC 3415 (Fam) (11 December 2019)

  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)

  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

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

  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