Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Call: 1991
'Sara is an effective communicator. She is courteous to her opponents and the court. Her calm approach is effective in obtaining a good outcome for her client.'
Legal 500 UK Bar 2025
Sara has specialised in Family Law since 1991 when she was called to the Bar and became a member of Harcourt Chambers. She is a highly skilled advocate who meticulously prepares all her cases. Sara’s approachable, but firm manner enables her to seek a good outcome for her client often by negotiation and in contested hearings she is a forceful and persuasive advocate. Particularly sought after for her strategic thinking and expertise in cross-examination, Sara remains sensitive to the needs of vulnerable clients and witnesses.
Sara lectures on courses for social workers across Berkshire and Oxfordshire and has delivered seminars on public and private children law.
To instruct Sara or for more information…
Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk
Sara is regularly instructed in complex care proceedings involving the most serious allegations of abuse (including child fatalities or where a parent has killed the other parent); vulnerable parents and children with significant mental health issues, autistic spectrum disorders and learning disabilities; and children with multiple injuries and life-limiting and rare conditions. She has been instructed in a number of cases involving allegations of FII and diagnoses of functional neurological disorders.
Known for her forensic attention to detail, Sara is highly experienced in absorbing and analysing complex medical evidence and extensive factual evidence. Her practice also encompasses deprivation of liberty applications and cases featuring domestic violence, emotional abuse and neglect. She is instructed by local authorities, parents and Children’s Guardians at all levels of Court up to and including the Court of Appeal.
Care proceedings concerning one year-old child, issued due to concerns over emotional harm and neglect.
Care proceedings concerning a fourteen-month old baby, issued because his mother had sexually abused two of her older children.
Care proceedings concerning 5 children. Application by mother to discharge one of fathers from proceedings.
'Sara is an excellent communicator in cases before the judge and in pre-hearing discussions. She is collegiate and will aim to ensure that forward momentum is maintained in her cases.'
Legal 500 UK Bar 2024
'Sara is very good in medical cases and excellent with clients.’
Legal 500 UK Bar 2023
‘Her advocacy and advice are consistently very high quality.’
Legal 500 UK Bar 2021
"Gives pragmatic and sensible advice."
The Legal 500 UK Bar
"Very experienced in public law children cases."
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2018
"Brilliantly clever with a lovely client manner."
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2017
Sara was instructed by the local authority in a case concerning a 14 month old baby boy, who was removed from his mother shortly after birth as she had sexually…
Sara Granshaw was instructed on behalf of Wokingham Borough Council in Wokingham Borough Council v Mother & Ors [2023] EWFC 156. Care proceedings concerning five children. Application by mother to discharge one…