Sarah is the managing partner of the Oxford office of Freeths. She has twenty five years of managing disputes for her clients, with a particular emphasis on inheritance and trust disputes and professional indemnity claims. She heads the private client litigation team in Oxford and deals with a wide range of cases, including issues surrounding the validity of a will; claims against estates for financial provision; disputed trusts; and the removal of executors and trustees. She also acts for private individuals in disputed Court of Protection applications/proceedings during a person’s lifetime. Sarah also has many years’ experience of dealing with claims made against professionals including legal, construction and financial professionals. She specialises particularly in legal or financial claims with a trust or probate background. She also advises on coverage disputes between insurers and insured. Sarah is well known and has been praised by clients for her no nonsense, efficient and diligent approach. She is a fierce advocate of mediation, recognizing that in family disputes particularly, it can be an extremely useful tool to bring about early closure of disputes and at reduced cost.
England - South East • Private client
Freeths LLP
A ‘first-rate regional firm’ , Freeths LLP advises beneficiaries, executors, and trustees with challenging wills, family trusts and matters falling under the Inheritance Act. Head of the team, Sarah Foster, has a broad practice which encompasses claims against estates for financial provisions and the removal of executors and trustees. Sally Goodger is an ’accomplished operator’ who often advises private clients acting as attorneys, deputies in addition to independent administrators. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in Oxford.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Excellent advice. Very high-quality work. Extremely pragmatic’
- ‘Freeths is a first-rate regional firm in this area. They are frequently brought in as independent trustees and executors where there is irreconcilable conflict amongst the existing parties, which is testament to their experience and skill.'
- 'Their vast knowledge means that they are well prepared for every difficult situation which might arise. The firm also has a very strong non-contentious team which is invaluable in supporting with tax and trust advice where, as is often the case, it is needed in a litigation context.’
- 'Excellent combination of knowledge, judgment, and empathy.’
- ‘A tremendously strong team which interlinks seamlessly with the non-contentious experts in the firm such as the massively experienced Sarah Foster.’
- ‘Sally Goodger is excellent and a pleasure to work with.’
- ‘Sally Goodger brings a wealth of experience to the team, having particular aptitude for clients in the charity sector.’
- ‘Sarah Foster is both deeply experienced and direct and practical in her approach. Sally Goodger is hard-working and unflappable even in the most stressful situations.’
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Next Generation Partners
Sally works in our firm’s contentious trust and probate team. She acts for individuals and charity clients to resolve disputes arising out of challenges to wills, claims against estates and disputed trusts. Sally’s clients include executors, beneficiaries and trustees. Recognising that costs are often an issue when dealing with disputes, Sally provides clear and regular guidance as to the costs position to keep her clients informed.Building close working relationships with her clients, Sally is able to deliver clear and jargon-free advice to help her clients work through the steps required to achieve a resolution. Disputes over wills/trusts and claims against estates arise at a time when families have lost a loved one, and Sally gains the trust of her clients by dealing sensitively with the issues that arise.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Sarah Foster