Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Call: 2014
"Sam has very strong advocacy skills and is especially good at cross-examination."
Chambers UK Bar 2026
Sam is a specialist family barrister, particularly sought after in respect of private law proceedings regarding children. He is frequently instructed in matters of complexity such as cases of child abduction, applications to permanently remove the children from the jurisdiction, cases of implacable hostility between the parents, and cases involving allegations of serious domestic abuse and violence.
Sam is regularly led in the most serious of cases, including non-accidental injury, sexual abuse and fictitious and induced illness.
He also has a wide range of experience of other areas of law, including criminal, prison, and general civil law. His background in criminal law has proved to be advantageous in cases that require robust cross-examination of witnesses, such as in fact-finding hearings regarding allegations of domestic abuse.
Sam is an accredited civil and commercial mediator. He has appeared frequently on national radio as an expert legal commentator.
Sam was appointed as a Deputy District Judge in 2022. He sits within both the Family and Civil jurisdictions on the South Eastern Circuit and Welsh Circuit.
To instruct Sam or for more information…
Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk
Sam is recognised for his expertise in complex private children proceedings, regularly advising and appearing in cases involving international child abduction, relocation, entrenched parental conflict and serious allegations of domestic abuse.
Mother’s application for order that child live with her. Ordered that child live with the mother and spend time with the father.
Sam has a well-established international children practice and is regularly instructed in complex proceedings before the Family Division of the High Court. His expertise includes Hague and non-Hague child abduction, international relocation, stranded spouse applications, the recognition and enforcement of foreign orders, wardship, jurisdictional disputes, and cases involving female genital mutilation and forced marriage.
Sam has extensive experience in complex public law children cases and is regularly instructed in the most serious child protection cases, including those involving non-accidental injury, sexual abuse and fabricated or induced illness.
Sam is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access Scheme in appropriate circumstances.
'Sam's cross-examination is impressive. He is sophisticated and robust, he frames questions appropriately and is highly skilled in obtaining the answers he needs. He has the ability to think on his feet, adapt to unexpected responses, and persuasively present his client's case.'
Legal 500 UK Bar 2026
"He carries each and every case with confidence. My clients feel safe and well supported by him at all times. "
Chambers UK Bar 2026
"Sam is an incredible advocate and adviser. Our clients feel that they are well advised, supported and guided throughout proceedings."
Chambers UK Bar 2026
"Sam is amazing at what he does and the knowledge he possesses is truly impressive"
Chambers UK Bar 2026
"Sam is calm, prepared and wonderfully forensic in cross-examination."
Chambers UK Bar 2026
Sam Elliott, instructed by Coodes, acted for the successful applicant mother in M v F [2026] EWFC 187 (B). This is a significant private children judgment. Whilst the outcome was fact-specific,…
We are delighted to welcome Sam Elliott to Harcourt Chambers. Sam is a highly regarded family law practitioner with a particular expertise in private children proceedings. He is regularly instructed in…