Areas of Practice:

• Family
• Family ADR
• Family Arbitration

Appointments:

• Appointed as Family Recorder 2018 sitting in the Central Family Court
• Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers
• Resolution trained family mediator
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators permitted to conduct both Financial and Children Arbitrations
• Barrister of the Year Finalist - Inspirational Women in Law Awards 2023

"Sarah is fearless both in court and outside. She provides clear advice to clients and can explain very complex legal issues in a simple and digestible manner. Her advocacy and negotiation skills are stellar, and she can adapt her style to the varying approaches of opponents and tribunals. Her cross-examination is much like an iron fist in a velvet glove." The Legal 500 (2024)

"Sarah has exceptional attention to detail. A committed barrister."
"Sarah is a straight talker and is not afraid to tell the clients the strengths and weaknesses of their cases, at the same time, is gifted in putting the clients at ease and making complex issues easy to digest. She is a tireless and fierce advocate." The Legal 500 (2025)

"Sarah is really fantastic with vulnerable clients and fights for them."

"Sarah has a very wide knowledge base when it comes to finanical remedy work and also gets involved at grass roots level in terms of changes in the law. She is extremely personable and a pleasure to be against." The Legal 500 (2026)

"Well prepared, tenacious with excellent advocacy skills."

"Ms. Cooper is dedicated and hardworking. She is responsive and approachable, which is remarkable in counsel of her seniority. I find that Ms. Cooper is very much a team player and strives to add real value to the case. She is willing to work with those instructing her to achieve the right outcome for the lay client. When it comes to advocacy, she is utterly compelling, fearless, and effective. Not one to waste words with waffle – measured and impactful!" The Legal 500 (2027)

Domestic Practice:

Sarah practises exclusively in family law dealing with both children and financial disputes. She has an expertise in international family cases and is a fluent Spanish speaker able to conduct conferences and mediations in Spanish.

Sarah has extensive experience of dealing with jurisdictional disputes whether under forum conveniens, international instruments or otherwise.

In relation to financial disputes, Sarah is experienced in conducting financial remedy applications, many involving various types of overseas assets including property, trusts and shareholdings as well as the consideration of bilateral tax accords and dowry proceedings. Sarah has a particular expertise in the consideration of overseas matrimonial regimes. In addition, Sarah has successfully brought various applications for financial relief after an overseas divorce pursuant to Part III MFPA 1984.

In relation to children, Sarah regularly conducts child abduction cases under Hague 1980 and 1996 conventions as well as the inherent jurisdiction. She also represents parents in leave to remove applications. She has lengthy experience conducting all types of proceedings under the Children Act 1989 both in relation to private and public law matters.

Sarah has an in depth knowledge of the procedural implications of international family cases, including service, obtaining evidence from overseas, instruction of overseas experts, freezing orders and disclosure.

Sarah’s acknowledged expertise on international family law issues has resulted in her being asked to speak at various domestic and international conferences including for The Judicial College, Resolution, the Bar Council, MBL seminars, the College of Law, the British Spanish Law Association and AIJUDEFA.

International Experience

Experience in providing expert evidence to Spanish family courts.

Listed on the panels of recommended lawyers held by the Spanish and Mexican Consulates in London.


Reported Cases:

• L v M [2012] EWHC 4299 – Pakistan stranded spouse – jurisdictional dispute in relation to children

• R v C &S [2013] EWHC 1295 – Colombia child relocation

• Re ML [2013] EWHC 2091 – use of Skype technology in international family cases

• C v D [2013] EWHC 2989 – Spain child abduction

• Ahmed v Mustafa [2014] EWCA Civ 277 – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Anti-suit injunction post judgment on financial claims in this jurisdiction

• Re C (Abduction Article 13b) [2018] EWCA Civ 2834

• P (A Child) (Abduction: Inherent Jurisdiction) [2021] EWCA Civ 1171 (28 July 2021)

• EC-D & Anor v GH & Anor [2025] EWHC 1403 (Fam) - complex issues arising from an informal agreement by 3 people to parent a child, including a dispute as to Parental Responsibility for the non biological parent, and overseas travel to a jurisdiction which criminalises homosexuality

Memberships:

• International Academy of Family Lawyers
• Resolution International Committee
• British Spanish Law Association [founding member]
• AIJUDEFA - la Asociación Internacional de Juristas de Derecho de Familia
• Family Law Bar Association
• Reviewer for Advocate [pro bono legal services]

Podcasts:

Law & Disorder - 11th July 2026. Sarah is interviewed by Lord Falconer, Baroness Kennedy and Sir Nicholas Mostyn, in the episode: Don't forget the Pet: Does Family Law need to be amended for our animal friends?

Articles:

Sarah writes for a wide variety of publications including:

• International Family Law Journal
• Resolution Review
• Counsel Magazine
• The Barrister Magazine
• Family Law Week