Expertise

Since 2006 Sarah has specialised in aviation related disputes resulting in death or injury worldwide. The claims she handles often involve jurisdictional arguments, issues of foreign law and the application of international conventions. She has acted in major air disasters and fatal helicopter and light aircraft accidents in the UK, Europe and worldwide. She supports families through official accident investigations and coroner’s inquests.

Recognition

• Ranked in Band 1 of the most recent edition of Chambers and Partners, Sarah is described as “excellent” and “absolutely brilliant”. Clients greatly value Sarah’s ability to provide highly professional support and guidance, while also demonstrating sensitivity during often difficult and distressing cases.
• Sarah is widely admired for her formidable work ethic and excellent client manner. She is described by Chambers as “a delight to work with” and “very diligent, dedicated and client-focused”. She has also been described by clients as “dynamic and knowledgeable” as well as “caring and compassionate” and has “great empathy with clients”
• The most recent edition of Legal 500 describes Sarah as “client focused, tenacious, rightly ranked as a leading individual”, and in previous editions as “extremely good with clients” and whose clients “have complete confidence in her”. She is also commended for her “attention to detail and great commitment to the clients”.
• She is also recommended in Who’s Who Legal for contentious aviation work.
• Sarah was listed as the Times’ Lawyer of the Week for her work representing the families of the Shoreham Airshow Disaster.
• Chambers & Partners 2022 –  “the leading plaintiff aviation solicitor in the UK”
• Chambers Insights 2023 – “Sarah is brilliant. She is extremely client focused and really determined to resolve her clients’ claims.” “Sarah is an excellent lawyer. She is very technical and exceptionally driven by the best interests of her clients, who are mostly victims of terrible accidents”

Experience

Sarah was instructed in the landmark case of Rogers v Hoyle [2014] EWCA Civ 257 [2014] 3 WLR 148, [2014] 3 All ER 550, in which the Court of Appeal held that air accident investigation reports produced by the Department of Transport are admissible in civil proceedings.

She also acted in Dusek v StormHarbour [2016] EWCA CIV 604, which established liability on the part of a UK employer for failing to adequately risk assess travel arrangements for its employee travelling abroad for his work.

Sarah is currently acting for families of victims of the Shoreham Airshow disaster in the ongoing inquest proceedings.

Sarah joined Stewarts in 2002, and became partner in 2007. She qualified with Gregory Abrams in Liverpool in 1997 before moving to personal injury at Bolt Burdon in Islington.

Career

Sarah joined Stewarts in 2002, becoming a partner in 2007. She qualified with Gregory Abrams in Liverpool in 1997 before moving to London where she spent five years in personal injury at Bolt Burdon in Islington.

Accreditations and Memberships

Sarah sits on the Air Law Committee at the Royal Aeronautical Society and is a member of the Pan European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers and the International Aviation Women’s Association.

Publications

Sarah lectures as part of the MSc in Aviation Safety at Cranfield University and has spoken at several events hosted by the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the European Air Law Association (EALA). She regularly comments on aviation law issues and has appeared on radio and TV.

Personal

Sarah’s interests include running, cycling and skiing. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four children.