Sarah is a Partner in the Payne Hicks Beach Family department and Head of the Modern Family Law Department.
She is shortlisted for Family Law Partner of the Year and Family Law Commentator of the Year in the LexisNexis Family Law Awards 2023 and Ranked in Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500.
Sarah has extensive experience in complex children law matters, often with an international and public law dimension, and concerning vulnerable and incapacitous individuals. Sarah also advises parents and carers on matters concerning the safeguarding of children, frequently within the context of schooling.
Sarah is also a leading authority in fertility, surrogacy and adoption law, advising on matters such as domestic and international surrogacy arrangements, donor conception and issues concerning parentage and gender. Her practice operates at the cutting-edge of family law and, as such, often intersects with public policy and human rights.
She is recognised in Chambers & Partners 2023 as having an “encyclopaedic knowledge of the law,” “being one of the most highly respected lawyers … spearheading applications of the law to new and emerging family forms”, by The Legal 500 as “Next Generation Partner”, a “stand out individual” and recommended by Spears.
Sarah works on complex, ultra-high net worth, high profile, multi-party sensitive children law matters with serious welfare considerations including, domestic abuse, coercive controlling behaviour, high-conflict disputes, alienating behaviours, abduction, international and domestic relocation of children and health and welfare disputes concerning vulnerable individuals, including those concerning capacity, gender and decisions regarding serious medical treatment. Sarah is adept at applying for emergency relief as well as being known for her stamina and client care on long running, highly contentious cases. She advocates alternative dispute resolution where possible.
Sarah is prolific legal commentator; speaking at the American Bar Association’s Family Law Conference, the Annual Family Law Conference – Africa, at a European Chapter meeting for the International Academy of Family Lawyers, for The Law Society, and at conferences on Family Law in the Middle East and the Caribbean. She has written for The Times, The Guardian and The Financial Times, is an annual contributing author for the International Comparative Legal Guide (Family Law), regularly contributes to esteemed domestic and international family law journals and is a University Guest Lecturer on Family Law and Ethics. She was shortlisted for Family Law Partner of the Year and Family Law Commentator of the Year in the LexisNexis Family Law Awards 2023 and is ranked in Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500.
Sarah has recently successfully acted on behalf of the mother of a transgender adolescent in a case of significant public interest before the President of the Family Division Re S (Inherent Jurisdiction: Transgender Surgery Abroad) [2023] EWHC 347.
Sarah also successfully acted on behalf of the adopters in the contested adoption case of Prospective Adopters v London Borough of Ealing and Ors [2023] EWFC 294 (B). This was a case with particularly complicating and sensitive features.
Sarah spent the first decade of her career as a practising private and public family law Barrister at a leading set of chambers representing parents, children, guardians, Local Authorities and the Official Solicitor in complex and sensitive children law cases. Sarah’s practice included those concerning serious medical issues such as FII, non-accidental injuries to children, international adoption, international abduction, enforcement of foreign orders, international and domestic relocation of children and cases involving vulnerable adults. Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown 2002.
Sarah qualified 1995 and joined Payne Hicks Beach 2020, Partner 2022.
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To learn more about Modern Family Law visit our dedicated webpage and download our guide.
Sarah is ranked as a Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500 UK 2024. She is described as “an expert in international surrogacy, advising on co-parenting agreements with same-sex parents, and on declarations of parentage and the exercise of parental responsibility for gamete donors, same-sex parents and intended parents following surrogacy,” with further testimony stating that “her knowledge and expertise on modern families is second-to-none.”
Chambers UK 2024 ranks Sarah under the category of Family/Children Law. The directory recognises that she is “deeply knowledgeable on the law surrounding fertility, surrogacy and adoption” and “in addition to this, she advises clients on private child disputes concerning contact, residence and welfare issues.” One commentator says, “Sarah works incredibly hard for her clients on some truly difficult cases and she has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law.” Another says, “Sarah Williams is one of the most highly respected lawyers working on modern families in the UK, spearheading applications of the law to new and emerging family forms.”
Sarah is named as a “Recommended Family Lawyer” by Spear’s Family Lawyers Index 2023 in which she is highlighted for her surrogacy, adoption work, fertility and modern family law practice.
Listed in The Legal 500 UK 2022 as a Next Generation Partner and a “stand-out individual” with “outstanding knowledge of modern families and fertility law issues.”
Sarah was awarded Winner of the ‘Best blog/podcast of the Year’ at 2022 Cityweath’s Brand Management and Reputation Awards 2022: Sarah’s award winning podcast series can be found here: https://www.phb.co.uk/?s&_sf_s=podcasts
“Possessed of that winning combination of intelligence, capacity for hard work and charm”, Sarah is adept at handling her cases with the utmost discretion and sensitivity. She is “a true fighter in pursuit of her clients’ interests” and determined to get the very best outcome for them.
“Brilliant on the law, super with clients and extremely well connected, Sarah is the first choice when dealing with surrogacy and fertility work, particularly where the work is complex or has an international element.”
Michael Mylonas KC, Serjeant’s Inn and the Lawyer’s “Barrister of the Year 2019”
Recent Insights
March 22, 2024
In the case of Prospective Adopters v London Borough of Ealing (1), SK (2), NS (3) and E (by the Chi...
Read more
Transgender matters and family law: Sarah Williams for International Family Law Journal
December 06, 2023
Partner and Surrogacy and Modern Family Law expert Sarah Williams co-authored a piece published in ...
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- Chair, Bar Liaison Committee, Inner Temple
- Executive Committee, Inner Temple
- Annual Guest Lecturer: Law and Ethics at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (Medical Foundation Programme).
- Family Ambassador Board Member: Support Through Court Charity
- Family Law Bar Association
- Association of Lawyers for Children
- American Bar Association (Adoption Committee and the Assisted Reproduction Technology Committee)
- Member of the Franco-British Lawyers Society/Association des Juristes Franco Britanniques
- Member of International Bar Association
- Union Internationale des Avocats
- Court of Protection Practitioners Association
Sarah writes numerous articles and contributions in the national press (The Times, The Financial Times and The Guardian) and specialist law journals and, in particular, those with an international dimension. Sarah is a regular contributing author for the expert chapter on children and modern families for the International Comparative Legal Guide (family law) and for the International Family Law Journal.
Sarah is shortlisted as Family Law Partner of the Year and Family Law Commentator of the Year in the Family Law Awards 2023.
2023: Publication: Transgender matters and family law – comparative European approaches. International Family Law Journal 2023 Issue 3
2023: Notable reported case: Re S (Inherent Jurisdiction: Transgender Surgery Abroad) [2023] EWHC 347 before The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane Acting for the mother Pro Bono in this case of significant public interest before The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane. The case concerned the validity of an adolescent’s consent to transgender surgery, wardship, competing medical and legal positions here and in an anonymised foreign jurisdiction, human rights, domestic public policy and the appropriate engagement of the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court.
https://www.phb.co.uk/article/inherent-jurisdiction-transgender-surgery-abroad-2023/
2023: Speaking engagement: Law Society Cross Border Event: New Challenges for Private Clients in Europe – Modern Families (co-presenter)
2023: Teaching engagement: Guys and St. Thomas’ Medical School: Family Law and Ethics Guys and St. Thomas’ Medical School: Parentage, Capacity and Consent
2023: Publication: International Comparative Legal Guide: Family Law 2023 (Expert Chapter)
2023: Publication: Family Law Journal. Lifting the Veil: Donor Identification. Co-authored with Jennifer Lee, Barrister Lifting the veil: donor identification (familylaw.co.uk)
2023: Publication: Revista (Numero 83, Espana) : La gestación por subrogación en Europa: situación jurídica y enfoque comparativo entre Inglaterra y Gales, Francia, Italia y España. Co-author https://www.sepin.es/revistas-digitales/familia-y-sucesiones/info-revista.asp?cde=54
2022: Notable reported case: R v S [2022] EWFC 65
Acting for the mother in an “unprecedented” application by the father for the disclosure of internal CCTV footage from mother’s household. The application raised grave issues concerning the mother’s right to privacy, proportionality and welfare. The father’s Application was successfully dismissed.
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2022/65.pdf
2022: Speaking engagement: International Academy of Family Lawyers, European Chapter Meeting, Athens. Modern Family Law Developments
2022: Teaching engagement: Guys and St. Thomas’ Medical School: Family Law and Ethics in 2022
2022: Teaching engagement: Guys and St. Thomas’ Medical School: Addressing Issues of Capacity in 2022
2022: Teaching engagement: Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Medical School: The Changing Face of Motherhood in 2022
2022: Speaking engagement: An Examination of Modern Family Creation and Family Forms in 2022: Comparative European Approaches to Parentage, Payne Hicks Beach Event
2022: Publication: International Comparative Legal Guide: Family Law 2022 (Expert Chapter)
2022: Publication: International Family Law Journal: The Legal Status of Surrogacy in Europe – co-author
https://www.libra-avocats.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pages-from-IFL_2022_01_SWilliams.pdf
2022: Publication: STEP Journal: Legal Conceptions
2022: Publication: AJ Famille, France: Le statut Légal de la gestation pour autrui en Europe – co-author
https://www.libra-avocats.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ARTICLE-SURROGACY-FR-VERSION-DEFINITIVE.pdf
2022: Publication: My Surrogacy Journey blog: What’s in store for international surrogacy?
2022: Publication: International Family Law Journal: The Legal Status of Surrogacy in Europe – co-author.
https://www.libra-avocats.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pages-from-IFL_2022_01_SWilliams.pdf
2022: Publication: AJ Famille: Le statut Légal de la gestation pour autrui en Europe – co-author
https://www.libra-avocats.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ARTICLE-SURROGACY-FR-VERSION-DEFINITIVE.pdf
2022: Publication: STEP Journal: Legal Conceptions
https://www.step.org/step-journal/step-journal-issue-2-2022
2021: Speaking Engagement: High-Conflict Parenting Disputes – new approaches. In association with OurFamilyWizard
https://www.phb.co.uk/article/our-family-wizard-high-conflict-parenting-disputes/
2021: Speaking Engagement: Informa Middle East: What Constitutes a Family: Working with non-traditional family structures relating to children
https://www.phb.co.uk/article/informa-connect-cross-border-planning-international-2021/
2021: Speaking Engagement: Informa Bermuda: Working with non-traditional family structures
2021: Speaking Engagement: Informa Cross Border Planning: Europe/International: What constitutes a family?
https://www.phb.co.uk/article/informa-connect-cross-border-planning-international-2021/
2021: Speaking Engagement: Chair of International Movement of Children Event, following the Supreme Court Decision G V G UKSC2020/0191
2021: Speaking Engagement: TL4 Private Client: Succession Planning for Modern Families
https://www.phb.co.uk/article/thoughtleaders4-privateclient-succession-planning-for-modern-families/
2021: Guest Lecturer: Guy’s & St Thomas’ Medical School: Family Law and Ethics in 2021
2021: Guest Lecturer: Guy’s & St Thomas’ Medical School: Addressing Issues of Capacity in 2021 TL4: Sudden Incapacity: Legal Implications under the Prevalence of Covid
2021: Speaking Engagement: MSJ: Surrogacy in the USA: Where to Start?
https://www.phb.co.uk/article/surrogacy-in-the-us-where-to-begin-and-who-can-help/
2021: Speaking Engagement: Men Having Babies European Conference in Brussels: Parenting Options for Men: November 6-7 2021
2021: Publication: International Comparative Legal Guide: Family Law 2021 (Expert Chapter)
2021: Publication: Family Law: Covid-19 vaccination: capacity and best interests – the first reported Court of Protection Judgment
2021: Publication: Family Law: Childhood vaccination disputes in the era of COVID 19
https://www.phb.co.uk/article/childhood-vaccination-disputes-sarah-williams-for-family-law/
2021: Publication: Capacity and sexual relations. Co-author. TL4
2021: Publication: Tatler: The Heir and the Spare: or are they? Co-author
2021: Publication: ThoughtLeaders4PrivateClient magazine February 2021 Issue 3: capacity & sexual relations – a radical reassessment – co-authored with Martha Gray of Harcourt Family Law
2021: Publication: Future Lawyer blog lawbore: Surrogacy during a global pandemic
2021: Publication: International Comparative Legal Guide: Family Law 2022. Trans-Parenthood and a Minor’s Ability to Consent to Gender-Changing Medical Treatment
2020: Publication: STEP Journal: The Parentage Trap. Co-author
2020: Publication: Family Law: Surrogacy in unusual circumstances: X, Re [2020] EWFC 39
https://www.familylaw.co.uk/news_and_comment/surrogacy-in-unusual-circumstances-x-re-2020-ewfc-39
2020: Publication: Family Law Journal: Eyes Wide Open: transparency in the family courts
2020: Publication: Family Law: Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust v AB [2020] EWCOP 40
2020: Publication: The Times: Landmark ruling restricts puberty blockers for children
https://www.phb.co.uk/article/surrogacy-in-the-us-where-to-begin-and-who-can-help/
2020: Speaking Engagements include: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Professional Development Conference: The Changing Face of Motherhood
Podcasts:
- Winner Gold Award CityWealth Best Podcast: https://www.phb.co.uk/article/payne-hicks-beach-is-delighted-to-be-the-winner-of-best-blog-podcast-of-the-year-at-the-2022-citywealths-brand-management-reputation-awards/
A series of award winning Modern Family Law Podcasts:
- International Surrogacy: A Guide to New York
- International Surrogacy: A Guide to Florida: https://www.phb.co.uk/article/international-surrogacy-florida/
- International Surrogacy: A Guide to California: https://www.phb.co.uk/article/californian-surrogacy-arrangements-what-all-uk-intended-parents-need-to-know/
- International Surrogacy: An Intended Parent’s Perspective: https://www.phb.co.uk/article/surrogacy-a-parents-perspective/
- The Truth behind Egg Freezing
- Donor Gametes: Where to start? https://www.phb.co.uk/article/how-to-find-the-right-donor-egg-sperm-and-gestational-surrogate-in-order-to-start-your-family/
Sarah Williams and Evelyn Collins achieve victory for their clients in contested adoption proceedings
March 22, 2024
In the case of Prospective Adopters v London Borough of Ealing (1), SK (2), NS (3) and E (by the Chi...
Read more
Transgender matters and family law: Sarah Williams for International Family Law Journal
December 06, 2023
Partner and Surrogacy and Modern Family Law expert Sarah Williams co-authored a piece published in ...
Read more
How do celebrities navigate surrogacy? Sarah Williams for The My Surrogacy Journey Podcast
October 27, 2023
Sarah Williams, Partner and Head of Surrogacy, Fertility, Adoption & Modern Family is a guest s...
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Sarah Williams’s expert chapter for the esteemed International Comparative Legal Guide – Family Law 2024 is now published
September 11, 2023
Sarah’s comprehensive legal update chapter covers surrogacy reform, the rights of the child and pa...
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Sarah Williams shortlisted for two awards at the Family Law Awards 2023
September 05, 2023
We are delighted to announce that Sarah Williams, partner in the Family department and head ...
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National Surrogacy Week 1 – 7th August
July 31, 2023
In recognition of National Surrogacy Week, Partner in our Family Team Sarah Williams, sets out ess...
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Development in IVF Treatment to Exclude Harmful Genetic Mutations being Passed On
May 17, 2023
A breakthrough in IVF technology designed to prevent children from inheriting incurable diseases ha...
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Re S (Inherent Jurisdiction: Transgender Surgery Abroad) [2023] EWHC 347
February 28, 2023
In Re S (Inherent Jurisdiction: Transgender Surgery Abroad) [2023] EWHC 347, Partner Sarah Williams ...
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Payne Hicks Beach is delighted to be the Winner of ‘Best blog/podcast of the Year’ at the 2022 Citywealth’s Brand Management & Reputation Awards
June 22, 2022
We are delighted to announce that Payne Hicks Beach are the 2022 winner of the Citywealth’s Brand ...
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Legal Conceptions – Surrogacy and modern family law expert Sarah Williams’ article features in Issue 2 of STEP Journal
April 07, 2022
Surrogacy and modern family law expert, Sarah Williams article ‘Legal Conceptions’ has featured ...
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Parenting Options for Men: November 6-7 2021
November 01, 2021
Head of Payne Hicks Beach’s Surrogacy, Adoption, Fertility and Modern Family practice, and fam...
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ICLG Family Law 2022 – trans-parenthood and a minor’s ability to consent to gender-changing medical treatment
September 03, 2021
Sarah Williams, Legal Director and Head of Surrogacy, Fertility, Adoption & Modern Family in the...
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Our Family Wizard: High conflict parenting disputes
June 24, 2021
Payne Hicks Beach’s Sarah Williams is speaking at the OurFamilyWizard’s ‘High-Conflict...
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International Movement of Children – child abduction, asylum regimes, relocation
June 07, 2021
Sarah Williams, Legal Director in the Family department at Payne Hicks Beach is chairing the ‘In...
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