Partner and Head of Public Family Law Team
Sarah qualified as a solicitor in 2012 and joined Machins in 2016, rising to partner in 2020. As Chair of the Luton Family Justice Board, she leads with both vision and empathy. Her reputation for tenacity and sharp legal acumen makes her a go-to advocate in the most challenging children’s matters. Sarah combines strategic thinking with a genuine commitment to every child’s welfare.
Sarah specialises exclusively in children’s law, guiding parents, family members, interveners, children’s guardians and directly representing competent children. She navigates high-stakes cases – from complex non-accidental injury and sexual abuse to death or murder within a family – always keeping the child’s best interests front and centre. Her work extends to court applications for neglect and child assessment orders, as well as matters before the High Court and Court of Appeal. Recognised for her skill with vulnerable clients, she also works with adults with learning difficulties who require the use of an intermediary. Sarah’s persuasive advocacy subtly shapes each case’s trajectory, commanding the court’s attention and respect.
The Court of Appeal has set aside a court order that a girl should be returned to her mother rather than stay with foster parents. The girl was 18 months old and was referred to in court as X. Her mother had agreed to X being accommodated with foster parents when she was three days
The wishes of a 12-year-old boy were not enough to prevent him from being returned to his father, especially as it was likely that he had been unduly influenced by his mother. That was the decision of the Court of Appeal in a case involving a boy who was born in England and had lived
The 15-month-old daughter of a vulnerable mother who could not care for her has been placed in the care of the local authority so she can be adopted. The girl’s parents had been in a relationship since 2017. The mother was a vulnerable adult with learning difficulties who suffered from a syndrome that required a
A grandmother who failed to get permission to have her grandson live with her can now apply again because she’s moved to a bigger house. The case involved a two-year-old who was referred to in court as J. He had three siblings. The local authority became involved with the family before his birth due to
The Court of Appeal has ruled that a decision to remove three children from the care of their grandparents was mistaken and could cause them emotional harm. The children, aged six, four and three, had lived with their grandparents and maternal aunt since January 2019 after a somewhat chaotic lifestyle in their parents’ care. In
The Court of Appeal has ruled that a judge was wrong to prevent two grandparents adopting their 3-year-old grandson. The court heard that the child’s mother suffered from mental health problems. She had a long history of drug abuse and had criminal convictions for violent offences. She had had no contact with the child since