Sarah Humphreys (LLB)

Call 1993 Middle Temple; Call 1994 King’s Inns

Experienced Family Law Barrister with a Holistic, Child-Focused Approach.

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“Professional, diligent but calmly reassuring throughout the process”

Legal Background

Sarah is a highly regarded barrister who was called to the Bar of England and Wales (Middle Temple) in 1993, and then to the Irish Bar (King’s Inns) in 1994. She has acquired broad experience across legal and commercial disciplines, undertaking High Court insurance litigation work and then family law.

Work & Specialisations

Sarah is a specialist in family law and has a breadth of expertise and experience across children matters, finance, TOLATA, cohabitation agreements, pre-and post-nuptial agreements and separation agreements. Her legal knowledge was further strengthened through several years in private practice handling probate and property work.

In cases where parties have been successful in reaching an agreement either before any proceedings have begun or during the litigation process, Sarah is available to advise on and draft consent orders (children and financial).

Sarah is a member of the FLBA and a supporter of Resolution, in particular adopting its aims and ethos of seeking to achieve the best possible outcome while minimising conflict and being constructive in advice and negotiations. When there are children involved she will always keep their needs front of mind to assist the parties in focussing on building a positive future. In line with these philosophies, she recently expanded her knowledge of autism disorders through an independent higher-level qualification so that she is better placed to assist clients and their children, before and during litigation.

Previous work

Beyond the field of law, Sarah has worked in several industries including media, mobile communications, dietetic food products and neurolinguistics (NLP). Through her work in NLP, Sarah has further developed essential skills in communication, negotiation, and presentation.

Her holistic approach has been welcomed, especially when a client is feeling overwhelmed by their situation. Her ability to help guide clients through practical as well as legal issues has been a key element of her practice.

Areas of Law

  • Sarah has acted in numerous child arrangement proceedings, including:

    • Child arrangement orders

    • Live with orders

    • Spending time arrangements

    • Specific issues and prohibited steps

    • Parental responsibility

    • Domestic abuse hearings

    • Drafting statements and applications

    • Dealing with welfare and medical reports and CAFCASS

  • Sarah is highly experienced in financial remedy proceedings involving:

    • Property (including cohabitation claims)

    • Separation agreements

    • Maintenance

    • Pensions

    • Small and medium businesses

  • The Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TLATA) gives the court power to make decisions where there are property disputes between unmarried couples.

    When couples cohabit and/or own property together disputes may arise and require resolution using this framework. Early advice and guidance can avoid costly proceedings and Sarah can advise prior to beginning litigation as well as in the course of proceedings.

  • Where couples intend to live together but are not yet ready to marry (or have decided they do not want to marry) a cohabitation agreement records their individual financial positions and their intentions as to how they will manage their joint finances for the future.

    This is especially important where there are or are likely to be children and creates an open foundation for their lives together.

    It can help to avoid or minimise expense in the event of a separation, but more importantly it is an opportunity for honest discussion at the outset.

  • From time to time couples separate, but do not immediately wish to get divorced. In that situation a separation agreement forms a sound basis for reorganising their finances and will provide a clear structure for when they finally complete the divorce process. The agreements offer certainty to both parties and help to reduce future legal costs.

  • Where couples intend to marry or have recently married nuptial agreements record their individual financial positions and their intentions as to how they will manage their joint finances for the future. It can help to avoid or minimise expense in the event of a separation, but clients highly value the time spent in open discussions at an early stage to understand each other’s expectations.

  • Aside from her court work Sarah is available for private consultations and for both written and verbal advice to both clients and solicitors. A second opinion can be extremely useful especially where a client is trying to decide the best way to resolve their matter, or when there is a complex or unusual feature to a case. If you believe your client needs or would benefit from a professional opinion from counsel this can be achieved within 10 working days as a standard service. Please email my clerk to confirm specific availability.

  • “I had been going through a divorce lasting 2 years, it was a very complex case with a lot at stake. To say I was fright and at the end of my tether would not be an understatement. Sarah unlike a previous barrister was kind and understanding of my situation, she was patient with my sometimes lack of legal knowledge.

    In a very short time, Sarah understood my case, helped hugely, and got me the result I wanted. She worked above and beyond.”

  • “Sarah was simply amazing! Professional, diligent but calmly reassuring throughout the process. Not only did she secure the result I wanted but she helped give me my life back! I cannot recommend her highly enough! You won’t be disappointed by the service she offers. Thank you Sarah for all your efforts I remain indebted to you.”

  • “Sarah made me feel much more confident and at ease about the process and provided me with invaluable advice. I am very grateful for helping me in a very stressful situation.”

  • “Sarah Humphreys provided a great service and allowed me to achieve the result I wanted in court.”

  • “I instructed Sarah Humphreys and wow she went above and beyond for me, anything I was unsure of she reassured me and explained everything crossed that every ’T’ dotted every ‘I’.”

  • “Sarah the barrister was amazing, a very good conference with her. The second opinion was extremely helpful.”

  • “Easy to contact and get hold of fast service and Sarah has been a godsend throughout all my hearings very supportive and understanding of my case and gives great advice when needed. Always recommend when I hear people needing a barrister.”

  • “I would like to say a huge heartfelt thank you to Sarah Humphreys who supported me through 2 court hearings recently. As you can imagine any court hearing is an incredibly anxious, worrying and overwhelming experience.

    I had a couple of meetings with Sarah and I instantly had a lot of confidence in her, I very quickly established a trusting relationship with her and she fought so hard to get the best for me and my son. It was a very stressful worrying time but I just couldn’t of imagines being able to get through it without Sarah.

    Sarah was understanding, compassionate, empathetic and her experience and professionalism at the same time as being very human instilled confidence. Nothing was ever too much trouble and she explained everything so well. Thank you so much for supporting through the toughest time of my life.”

  • “I had a pleasure to be represented by amazing Sarah Humphreys in my court hearing. I cannot describe how helpful, professional and compassionate she was. She truly made me feel stronger and helped me to go through it. I would strongly recommend her.”

 FAQs

  • London, South West England, Wales, South East England, Midlands (East and West), all regions via MSTeams.

  • Humphreys Law works direct with numerous firms across England and Wales and welcomes all new enquiries.

  • Sarah is direct access qualified and for those clients who are able to manage the court correspondence and associated paperwork instructing in this way can prove both efficient and cost-effective. It is often the court hearings themselves which people find the most stressful and intimidating, and having an experienced advocate beside them produces a more positive outcome. Sarah will negotiate and advise before and during the hearing as well as assist with the drafting of the orders. Humphreys Law works with other professionals who can help with creating bundles if required.

    You can find more information on the Bar Standards Board website.

Contact

To instruct Sarah, or discuss anything else, please contact her clerk.

Phone
+44 7866 378610

Email
joe@humphreyslaw.co.uk