Doughty Street Chambers

Criminal Law and Appeals

Sarah is a specialist practitioner who is instructed alone and as a leading junior to defend against a wide range of grave allegations.

Sarah deals largely with difficult and emotive cases of serious violence (in particular murder and other homicide offences) and sexual offending. She is a highly-regarded jury advocate, and is regularly instructed in cases involving historical abuse (sexual, violent and otherwise), indecent images and offences within the sex industry. She is also instructed in complex and serious allegations of financial crime, and is sought out for advice and representation in restraint and confiscation matters arising from allegations of brothel-keeping. Sarah’s client care is outstanding; she rapidly inspires confidence in those she represents, and is frequently relied upon to deal sensitively with both clients and witnesses with acute and complex vulnerabilities.

She represents both privately and publicly funded clients, and is available to provide advice and representation under the Public Access Scheme.

Publications

Sarah is one of the first barristers to qualify as a facilitator for the ICCA’s Advocacy & the Vulnerable training programme. As one of those involved in the national roll-out of these changes, she trains advocates to deal properly and effectively with the questioning of vulnerable witnesses and defendants. 

Sarah is also the joint representative for the Criminal Bar on the governmental working group for the national implementation of s.28 pre-recorded cross-examination for vulnerable witnesses.

Sarah has appeared on national television as a commentator on legal matters, and has written for The Guardian newspaper about the impact of government policy on access to justice.

What others say:

Ranking:

Legal 500 2018: ‘Clients are very impressed with her extremely sure-footed approach and strong tactical judgement.’

Testimony from lay client’s father 2017: “She instilled a confidence in my son and I that had hitherto been lacking…She clearly showed a level of care and commitment rarely seen by any profession… I have been a police officer for 20 years, and before that a barristers’ clerk and litigation assistant in a solicitor’s practice. I have sat through hundreds of trials. Sarah displayed a level of eloquence and persuasiveness well beyond my expectations. She is without question the finest advocate I ever witnessed… I would have no hesitation recommending her to anyone seeking her skills.”