Sarah Lambert KC authorised to act as a High Court Judge - Jan 2025
Sarah Lambert KC is a highly experienced specialist in complex clinical negligence, inquests, inquiries, personal injury and costs cases.
Sarah’s empathetic but firm, and decisive but diplomatic approach makes her an astute advisor as well as a skilful and persuasive advocate. She is also often brought in to give unpalatable advice in difficult circumstances. With a strong track record of trial and settlement success, recent recovery on behalf of clients is in the tens of £millions. Sarah is currently also retained for Modules 2b and 3 of the Covid Inquiry.
Sarah has in addition wide ranging judicial experience, sitting as a Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit (both in crime and in civil) and as a Deputy Costs Judge of the Senior Courts Costs Office. In accordance with section 9 (1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981, with the approval of the President of the Family Division, following consultation with the Lord Chancellor, Sarah has been authorised to act as a Judge of the High Court in the Family Division.
In addition, Sarah accepts direct access instruction for suitable cases including professional discipline, inquests and costs.
Both as a junior and in silk, Sarah has been consistently recognised by the directories as a leader in her fields.
“She has been so good with the client, she is quick to respond and gives practical advice.” (Chambers & Partners 2026)
“She is really brilliant. She is a ferocious cross-examiner and is just superb.” (Chambers & Partners 2026)
“Sarah is absolutely excellent. She is a silk of choice.” (Chambers & Partners 2026)
“Sarah’s advice is second to none for very complex issues. She has an excellent way with clients.” (Legal 500 2026)
“Despite her remarkable legal expertise, Sarah possesses a down-to-earth demeanour that instantly puts clients at ease. Her pragmatic perspective cuts through the complexities of the law, offering clear and practical solutions tailored to the individual needs of each case.” (Legal 500 2025)
“Sarah is an excellent advocate and really gets to the heart of the matter with the client.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)
“Sarah’s advice and support on some very complex litigation with difficult parties has just been phenomenal.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)
“Sarah is very proactive and on the ball. She is very good with clients and puts them at ease. She is really good at quantum assessments.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)
“Sarah Lambert has superb advocacy skills, and is incredibly well prepared and tough.” “She is detail-orientated and driven to achieve the best outcome.” (Chambers & Partners 2023)
“Sarah adopts a vigorous and very positive approach. She has a brain that grasps issues quickly, and she really believes in the case, seeing through the evidence well and tackling the difficult points.” (Chambers & Partners 2022)
“She’s great, absolutely on top of all of the detail but very personable with clients and very aware of what’s going on in the market.” “She is excellent – she’s doing cutting-edge work and her approachable and persuasive manner is very impressive.” (Chambers & Partners 2022)
“Ability to process vast amounts of detail very quickly and masters it with ease – not reluctant to give difficult advice but does so with sensitivity.” (Legal 500 2022)
“Calm, measured, eloquent and always stunningly well prepared.” “She’s a deputy costs judge who is highly
respected.” (Chambers & Partners 2021)
“Bright, understands the issues, and a brilliant advocate, as well as being well prepared and compassionate.” (Legal 500 2021)
“A very receptive barrister who likes to get heavily involved in a case. The guidance she offers is always very well received.” (Chambers & Partners 2020)
“A very safe pair of hands and also a costs expert.” (Legal 500 2019)
“Wonderful with clients and fantastic in court. She knows what she’s doing and on her feet she is excellent.” (Chambers & Partners 2019)
“Well-regarded costs practitioner with wide-ranging experience in the field, who is a popular choice.” “She has an extensive experience in respect of all areas of medicine and dentistry.” (Legal 500 2018)
“Very professional, approachable and accessible.” (Chambers & Partners 2018)
“Approachable and easy to work with. Recommended for wasted costs cases.” (Legal 500 2018)
“She is very competent” and “judges like her.” (Chambers & Partners 2018)
“A pleasure to work with.” (Legal 500 2017)
“She gets to the root of the case very quickly and is excellent on her feet. She knows how to read a judge and take the points which need to be taken.” (Chambers & Partners 2017)
“A decisive and skilful advocate.” (Legal 500 2017)
“Particularly robust when dealing with high-value, complex clinical negligence matters.” (Chambers & Partners 2017)
“She gets to the root of the case very quickly and is excellent on her feet.” (Chambers & Partners 2017)
“Ruthlessly efficient in dealing with experts and cross-examining witnesses.” (Legal 500 2016)
Clinical NegligenceSarah is a highly regarded specialist in clinical negligence. Experienced across the board in all types of medical claims, she now increasingly focuses on highly complex neurological brain injury, spinal, amputation and obstetric injury claims, including twins, meningitis claims and wrongful birth cases, acting both for Claimants and Defendants. Additionally, she has a number of cases involving young Claimants with neurodivergence, learning disabilities and gender incongruence.
Sarah is also retained in respect of claims with Covid factors, genetic screening, and co-sanguinity.
Noted for her empathy, she also has a significant caseload of fatal cases, particularly those arising out of delayed cancer diagnoses, and cases of suicide by mental health patients.
Selected Cases
Claimants
- DRH v an NHS Trust 2026: (ongoing) child brain injury quantum ongoing after liability split compromise agreed in respect of female twin with neurodevelopmental delay and right sided weakness.
- JM v a GP 2026: (ongoing) acting in respect of the death of a 28 year old who contacted and died from Covid in hospital in the presence of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, having to be treated in hospital rather than at home due to delay in GP management.
- EM v an NHS Foundation Trust 2026: (ongoing) acting for a female Claimant in connection with a delayed diagnosis of rare sarcoma. In life claim with complex loss of chance arguments on account of Claimant’s career.
- KZ v an NHS Foundation Trust 2026: (ongoing) FAA claim for widow and children with autism spectrum diagnoses, following the suicide of their husband / father.
- NB v an NHS Foundation Trust 2025: new settlement achieved in fatal claim arising out of negligent cardiac management. Original undervalued settlement (previous counsel) set aside and claim re-negotiated on behalf of widow and children. One child with autism and gender incongruence. Successful at trial on costs arguments also.
- XYZ (a child) v an NHS Trust 2024: confidential high value multi million figure settlement approved in an obstetric claim acting for a boy twin born with profound neurological injury.
- KH (A protected party, by his Father and Litigation Friend) v an NHS Trust 2024: settlement achieved in high value claim re delay in the diagnosis and treatment of the Claimant’s developmental dysplasia of the left hip where the Claimant has unrelated global developmental delay.
- JB (a child) v an NHS Trust 2024: sad claim in which the original child claimant, a boy born with hypoxic ischaemic birth injury Grade II hie, microcephaly, 4 limb cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, blindness, hip dysplasia and epilepsy, died at the age of 14 during the currency of the claim as a direct consequence of inability to clear secretions due to his brain injury.
Defendants
- DDG v an NHS Foundation Trust 2026: (ongoing) acting in quantum defence (liability compromise achieved) in respect of young female claimant with cerebral palsy.
- PDX v 2 GPs, a Practice Nurse, 2 Community Midwives and an NHS Trust 2026:(ongoing) complex defence in relation to a mother developing ALFP and intrahepatic cholestasis at 33 weeks of pregnancy, resulting in hypoxic brain injury to her unborn child.
- SP v a Hospital 2026: (ongoing) brain injury claim in respect of delay in diagnosing and treating hydrocephalus. Complex causation in respect of inevitable unrelated underlying neurocognitive deficits. Claimant an adoptee and genetic history in issue.
- GR v a Health Board 2026: (ongoing) liability split discount achieved and quantum ongoing in a claim by a child who was born heathy but subsequently sustained profound neurological injury at the age of 11 having suffered asthma induced cardiac arrest.
- SP v an Ambulance Service 2025: liability split compromise achieved in catastrophic spinal injury claim arising out of alleged mishandling after a dive into a swimming pool rendered the Claimant unconscious.
- OFC v a Health Board 2025: successful settlement of high value obstetric brain injury claim.
- SXH v a GP 2025; successful settlement of liability in respect of delay in the diagnosis of meningitis caused by Neisseria Meningitidis, causing hearing loss and cognitive impairment.
- TC v an NHS Foundation Trust 2024: neurosurgical claim arising out of alleged delay in undertaking spinal decompressive surgery.
- MW v an NHS Trust 2024: meningitis brain injury claim.
- RD v an NHS Trust 2024: claim concerning bowel perforation, sepsis and kidney injury suffered by the recipient of a cadaver donor kidney following pseudo-obstruction.
- AM v an NHS Trust 2024: claim in respect of MCA injury causing stroke during tumour debulking surgery.
Instructed by families and by NHS Trusts, with particular expertise in medical deaths, Sarah has considerable and sensitive experience of both jury and non jury inquests, high profile cases and also deaths in custody.
Selected Cases
- Covid Inquiry 2023 (ongoing): Sarah is currently retained as Leading Counsel for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
- Re Michelle Roach (2018): Maternal death from pulmonary embolism. Sarah instigated the inquest process after receipt of papers for a civil claim. Care of a GP and NHS Trust under critical scrutiny. Neglect verdict.
- Re Graham Stoten (2016-2018): Sarah represented one of 10 families at an inquest where the conduct of disgraced urologist, Mr Paul Miller, was under scrutiny.
- Re Stella Alao 2017: Sarah persuaded the coroner to open and hold an inquest into a maternal death from sepsis which occurred in 2014. Article 2 inquest raising issues of Neglect and Systemic failings in care.
- Re Baby Frank Gamble 2013: (secondary victim claim settled 2017): Neonatal death.
- Re Michael Taylor Deceased (2011-2012): Jury inquest, death from cardiac arrest in Lewes prison of a life serving prisoner.
Sarah has a notable specialist costs practice and has appeared in many guideline cases.
Her experience covers points of law, test points, Part 36, wasted costs cases (both sides), assessments, CFA compliance and success fees, claims against third party funders, costs budgeting and capping, and personal liability claims against experts, at all court levels.
Sarah also sits as a deputy costs judge in the Senior Court Costs Office.
Selected Cases
- The Right Hon Charles Edward Maurice (Ninth) Earl Spencer v Associated Newspapers Ltd (2021): Instructed to advise Associated Newspapers.
- Poole Borough Council v GN and Another [2019] UKSC: Costs submissions.
- JC & A Solicitors Ltd v (1) Andeen Iqbal (2) EUI Ltd: JC & A Solicitors Ltd v (1) Lucas Lonsdale Smith (2) EUI Ltd: JC & A Solicitors Ltd v (1) Holly Pitts (2) EUI Ltd (2017) EWCA Civ 355: Instructed on behalf of the Law Society in its intervention in the leap frogged appeal of J C and A in which the Court interpreted the fixed costs provisions in the Pre-action protocol for low value personal injury claims in road traffic accidents.
- Webb v Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust Court of Appeal (Civil Division) [2016] EWCA Civ 365; [2016] C.P. Rep. 30; [2016] 2 Costs L.R. 411; (2016) 150 B.M.L.R. 42
- Michael Richard Cashman v Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust [2015] EWHC 1312 (QB) Marion Haycock v Heart of England NHS Trust (2014): Costs arguments in respect of CPR Part 36 and Part 44.2
- Martin Church Deceased v Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust 2012: High Court Part 8 Claim by Claimant seeking to obtain relief from usual costs consequences of accepting a Part 36 offer out of time
- Walter Hall v Thomas, Hardwick, Rathbone & Everton Football Club, Manchester District Registry 21 (2012)
- Medway Primary Care Trust v Marcus [2011] EWCA Civ 750
- Fortune v Roe [2010] EWHC 90180
- E, R (on the application of) v Governing Body of JFS & Anor (Rev 3) [2009] UKSC 1
- Cullen & Anor v Chopra [2007] EWHC 90093
- Arkin v Borchard Lines Ltd & Ors [2005] EWCA Civ 655
- Cafane v London Borough of Lambeth [2004] EWHC 90042
- Smith v Havering Hospitals NHS Trust [2003] EWHC 9002
- Arkin v Borchard Lines Ltd [2003] EWHC 2844 (Comm)
Sarah’s Personal Injury practice includes RTA claims, employee claims, occupier’s liability, trips and slips, group litigation, abuse claims, criminal victim claims. She brings her clinical negligence expertise and experience to bear on complex neurological brain injury, spinal injury, multiple injury claims and prior comorbidity cases.
Listen to Sarah discuss loss of chance in personal injury cases on LawPod UK here.
Selected Cases
- SM (By the O.S) v. ASDA (2019): 7 figure settlement acheived in complex high value brain injury claim on behalf of a surviving twin born prematurely after her mother went into labour having slipped and fallen in a supermarket, the other twin being stillborn.
- Gerald Bentley v North West London Hospital (2017-2019): claim by an 83 year old Parkinson’s sufferer for injuries suffered when an exercise bike collapsed in the physiotherapy department.
- Winterbourne View Care Inquiry (2013): Instructed on behalf of owner/operator of the home in Group Litigation by various Claimants.
- Carol Watkins-Protain v Beaulieu Enterprises Limited (2012): Employee claim by the personal assistant, driver and general factotum to Lord and Lady Montague of Beaulieu.
- Re LM (2011): Successful high value settlement of claim by UK’s best young American footballer shot in a London nightclub, claim creatively pursued against the third party nightclub rather than against the attacker.
Sarah has regularly defended before both the GMC and GDC.
Selected Cases
- GMC v Dr Christopher Nutting (2019)
- GMC v Dr Justin Stebbing (2017-2018)
- GDC v Dr Thamasine Stephenson (2013-2014)
- GMC v Dr Caolin McLaverty (2012)
- GMC v Dr Tony Steele (2011)
- GMC v Dr Mark Mellor (2010)
- GMC v Dr Sonia Val-Carreras (2010)
- GDC v Dr Steven Bal Sharma (2009-2010)
- GMC v Dr Richard Evans (2008)
Sarah accepts Direct Access instruction in suitable cases. You can view her profile here.
