Year of Call: 2009
Clerks
Senior Practice Manager
Russell Hobbs
Practice Director
Tony McDaid
Contact a Clerk
Tel: +44 (0) 845 210 5555
Fax: +44 (0) 121 606 1501
[email protected]
Sara McCarthy
Family
Sara completed her pupillage at St Mary’s Family Law Chambers in
2010 and joined No5 Chambers in 2013 and deals with all aspects of
family law.
Public Law
Sara has a particular interest in cases involving neglect, physical and
emotional abuse, Non accidental injury and sexual abuse. Sara has
represented several Local Authorities and professionals including the
Official Solicitor, she also regularly undertakes work for both parents
and children. She has undertaken complex fact finding hearings
involving several expert witnesses in particular in respect of Non
accidental injury cases. Sara represented an NHS trust in a 2 week fact
finding hearing where a Consultant from the hospital was in the pool of
perpetrators.
Sara recently represented the children in a final hearing where they had
been placed for several years by the Local Authority with a relative who
was guilty of serious sexual schedule one offences.
Sara undertakes all public law hearings from Emergency protection
orders to multiple day final hearings and advices.
Private Law
Sara’s private law practice involves all s.8 applications from initial to
final hearings and includes complex areas of law involving implacable
hostility, serious allegations between the parents and International
elements. Sara will undertake written advice work on merits and legal
argument.
Sara has regularly represented Guardians pursuant to FPR Rule 16.4
Sara has recently undertaken a case (from the outset) which is now due
to be heard in the High Court concerning Civil Partnerships and the
application of the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Act; on which
Lorna Meyer QC has been instructed as leader to advise upon.
Financial Relief
Sara undertakes all hearings in respect of AR and other financial
applications including Intervenor applications and hearings under the
Trust
of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act. She has represented
clients with multiple properties, business assets and companies.
Direct Access
Sara regularly represents and advises clients on a direct access basis
throughout a broad range of family law issues.
Additional Information
Sara has a reputation for being exceptionally thorough in her
preparation with attention to detail. She has particularly good client skills
in difficult cases or where clients are vulnerable. She provides a
comprehensive service to clients and Solicitors alike and is regularly
prepared to discuss cases pre and post hearing. Many Solicitors have
commented upon the fact the client’s have confidence in her abilities.
Sara is regularly complimented for her thorough and decisive cross
examination in contested hearings.
Sara has recently relocated from Leicestershire back to Gloucestershire
and will accommodate requests for conferences at all No5 offices and
Solicitors offices. She will still undertake work in the Midlands and
London. Sara is committed to representation of both private and publicly
funded clients and has offers pro bono assistance in some circumstances.
Education/Awards
English Literature (1st Class Hons – University of the West of England,
Bristol)
Graduate Diploma in Law (Merit 2008 - University of the West of England,
Bristol)
Bar Vocational Course (Highly Competant 2009 - University of the West
of England, Bristol)
Ann Ebsworth Award (Gray’s Inn 2007)
Lord Justice Holker Award (Gray’s Inn 2008)
Recommendations
“I value Sara’s services very highly. She is friendly, efficient and focused.
My experience of Sara is that she works extremely hard, always arrives at
Court prepared and determined to achieve the best outcome for her
client”.
“I trust her advice implicitly even when it is sometimes not what I want to
hear. Her excellent knowledge and expertise has shone through in Court.
I would highly recommend her.