4PB

Non-court dispute resolution

Samantha believes passionately that for the right cases, Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR) can bring a more efficient, cost-effective and dignified outcome for families.

From her extensive experience representing husbands and wives in the Family Court, Samantha was convinced there was a better way to resolve family change than requiring each spouse, from day one, to seek advice from separate legal teams. In 2018 she, and fellow barrister Harry Gates, set up The Divorce Surgery, which was the first regulated law firm to enable separating couples to share a lawyer on divorce. The Divorce Surgery was named as one of the FT50 most innovative law firms in Europe.

Samantha is a leader in the field of Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR), for which she has received numerous awards, and appears regularly in print and broadcast media. Samantha and Harry were commissioned by Harper Collins to write a book about how couples can divorce well: The Divorce Surgery: The Art of Untying the Knot.

Samantha was appointed to the sub-committee of the Online Procedure Rules Committee in 2024, which is tasked with reform of the pre-court space.

Private Children Law

Samantha is sought out for her work on cases concerning living and contact arrangements for children, both within this country and internationally.  She is often instructed in factually complex and difficult cases in which her charm, down-to-earth professionalism and unwavering support are appreciated by clients involved in litigation over their children’s futures.

Samantha is now increasingly in demand from families who want joint legal advice, either before court proceedings are issued or as a route out of litigation.

Family Finance

Samantha is in high demand from clients with complex financial circumstances, both domestic and international.  She is known for her meticulous preparation, and her understanding of the corporate world.  She speaks conversational French and Spanish, and qualified as a solicitor at a magic circle law firm before joining the Bar, giving her a good grounding in corporate law.

In addition to representing married or formerly married clients in financial disputes, Samantha has considerable expertise in financial cases relating to children (Schedule 1 cases) where the parents may not have been married and claims by unmarried cohabitants under trusts of land legislation.  This is a specialist area, and Samantha is widely recognised for her skill and success in representing her clients who find themselves in a very different legal landscape to married couples.  She is recognised as an expert in complex and high value cases.

Publications/Training

Samantha is a leader in the field of Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR), for which she has received numerous awards, and appears regularly in print and broadcast media. She gives regular lectures and seminars on NCDR and the development of family law.

Samantha and Harry were commissioned by Harper Collins to write a book about how couples can divorce well: The Divorce Surgery: The Art of Untying the Knot. Samantha also co-wrote the relocation chapter in the re-published Rayden and Jackson on Divorce and Family Matters in 2016.

Samantha was appointed to the sub-committee of the Online Procedure Rules Committee in 2024, which is tasked with reform of the pre-court space.