Finalist in three categories in the Family Law Awards 2026
We are delighted to have been shortlisted as finalists in three categories in the LexisNexis Family Law Awards 2026. St John's Buildings have been...
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‘Samantha is always meticulously well prepared and gives clients the reassurance they often need that she has the granular detail of their case, even if they’ve never met before. She is never fazed, and always aims to get the right result for the client, not shying away from tough advice on the prospects of success.’
Legal 500, 2026
Strengths: “Samantha is warm, down to earth and conversational. She is massively engaging and very reliable in terms of calling the outcome of a case. I can see why lots of people use her as an evaluator.”
“Samantha is a very highly regarded special financial remedy practitioner with very good judgement. She has the skill and ability to identify where a case is likely to end up, and explains her views to clients in a clear and helpful fashion.”
Chambers UK Bar, 2027 (Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution )
Strengths: “If I could instruct Sam on every case, I would. Clients and judges love her.”
“It is clear why Sam is at the top of her field. Her control of a case is second to none.”
“Samantha is a formidable advocate and a highly effective counsel who gives the client reassurance that they are in safe hands.”
Chambers UK Bar, 2027 (Family: Matrimonial)
Sam Hillas KC is a senior member of SJB’s matrimonial finance team, dealing exclusively with financial remedy work. Commended by Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 as a “charismatic and client-friendly advocate” who “works like a Trojan”, Sam specialises in high net worth and/or complex cases, especially those involving marital agreements, trusts and corporate structures, cases involving non-disclosure and Schedule 1 Children Act.
Personal Information
Sam played rugby for a number of years (Saracens, New Brighton, Birkenhead Park) and now sits as a judicial officer for the RFU, Six Nations, EPCR and World Rugby.
Family finance
Sam has a broad range of experience in divorce, civil partnership dissolution, claims under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 and the financial claims for unmarried couples.
Cases
Roocroft v Ball [2017] 2 FLR 810
A v A [2018] 2 FLR 342
A v A [2018] EWFC B42
M v F [2016] EWHC B12 (Fam)
Roocroft v Ainscow [2016] (Court of Appeal). See news article.
Gohil v Gohil [2015] UKSC 61 (Supreme Court)
Re B (A Child) [2012] EWCA Civ 1317 (Court of Appeal)
RE S (Authorising Children’s Immediate Removal) [2010] 2 FLR 873 (Court of Appeal)
MacLeod v MacLeod [2008] UKPC 64 (Privy Council)
Re C (A Child) (2008) 2 FLR 815 (Court of Appeal)
Re S (A Child) [2008] EWCA Civ 737 (Court of Appeal)
Loosemore v McDonnell [2007] EWCA Civ 1531 (Court of Appeal)
Family arbitration
Sam is a qualified Arbitrator and also has experience of appearing in and conducting private FDRs.
Private FDR
Sam is experienced at presiding over private FDR hearings. As a trained arbitrator and experienced King’s Counsel, Sam is expertly placed to chair private FDR hearings, enabling a speedy and confidential resolution to financial matters within divorce proceedings.
Appointments
- Leader of the Northern Circuit (2026)
- Fellow of the International Academy of Family lawyers
Memberships
- Institute of Family Law Arbitrators: Samantha Hillas KC
Legal Directory Recommendations
Strengths: “She is unbelievably down to earth, charming and persuasive.” “She is thoroughly straightforward in her approach, which is key when sitting as a Private FDR judge. She always clearly explains to the litigants why she’s forming a particular view.” “Samantha is a force of nature – she’s lively, boisterous, funny and someone who puts people at ease.” Chambers UK Bar 2026 (Family/ Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution)
Strengths: “Sam is exceptional for client service and her ability to instil confidence in the most challenging cases. She is robust, pragmatic and commercially minded.” “The most charismatic advocate you will ever see.” “Sam is very approachable, friendly and no nonsense. Sam provides very clear advice and is a strong advocate.” Chambers UK Bar 2026 (Family: Matrimonial)
“A powerhouse of a litigator and totally unflappable.” “A stunning advocate and an absolute pleasure to deal with.” “Samantha is hugely knowledgeable, approachable and hard-working. You cannot go wrong with her.” Chambers UK Bar 2026
‘Samantha Hillas KC is ‘an exceptional advocate’ who regularly handles high-value cases involving Schedule 1 claims and civil partnership dissolutions.’ Legal 500 2026
Strengths: “She is a fantastic advocate and negotiator. She gets to the nub of the problem quickly and is excellent at putting clients at ease.” “There isn’t anybody more accessible than her. She will always make time to give you an answer on something and judges absolutely love her.” “Clients receive a Rolls Royce service. Sam can take highly technical issues and help anybody understand them. She is robust and pragmatic, and great on her feet.” Chambers UK Bar 2025
“Samantha is an extremely persuasive advocate, as she can convey complex legal arguments beautifully simply and has a gift for boiling issues down to their simplest components, which makes them easily digestible to judges and opponents alike. She is always impeccably prepared, is interactive in her approach to hearings, and is extremely accessible to those instructing when they require advice on niche issues.” Legal 500 2025
Strengths: “Samantha’s ability to put a client at ease is second to none. Clients are comforted by her approachability while being very confident in her skills as a very experienced and fierce advocate.” “All aspects of her work are excellent. Her legal knowledge is extensive, and the support she provides for both clients and solicitor is beyond compare.” “Samantha is able to grasp complex issues and circumstances with ease. She has excellent client care and her advocacy is also persuasive.” Chambers UK Bar 2024
“‘Samantha is the go-to barrister for complex financial remedy work in the North West. She is always well prepared and has a wonderful manner with clients, as an advocate she is confident and pragmatic, and her detailed and polished notes always greatly assist the court.” Legal 500 2024
“Well regarded for her expertise handling notable matrimonial finance cases, often of considerable value. She routinely handles cases involving trusts, commercial entities and bankruptcy matters. Additionally, her expertise extends to Schedule 1 cases. Strengths: “Samantha’s client manner is excellent. She’s extraordinarily knowledgeable in all areas.” “Samantha Hillas is a northern powerhouse when it comes to complex financial remedy cases.” “She is fantastic on her feet, brilliantly clever, charming and one of the best prepped barristers out there.” Chambers UK Bar 2023
“Samantha is the Duchess of Divorce who dominates the world of financial remedy proceedings on circuit. She is well respected by her peers, judges and those that instruct her. She never fails to put her heart and soul into a case and her preparation for trial and key documents that succinctly deals with a substantial number of legal arguments and issues is flawless.” Legal 500 2023
Strengths: “She provides the complete package: she gives excellent-quality technical advice and offers equally excellent client care.” “She is sharp as a knife, down-to-earth and able to explain very difficult concepts to clients so that they can understand them. Sam is excellent in court when reasoning out her arguments and is practical and sensible.” Chambers UK Bar 2022
“Samantha is a ferocious advocate who will go to the edge of the earth and back for her clients.“ Legal 500 2022
Strengths: “A strong advocate with excellent negotiation skills and a strong presence in the courtroom.” “She is phenomenal – very bright and able to assimilate a big amount of information.” Chambers UK Bar 2021
“Very detailed knowledge and understanding of family finance law and ability to make incisive points, focusing on the key issues. Excellent judgement and a persuasive advocate. Works with opponents to achieve settlements where possible but not afraid of robust advocacy when necessary.” Legal 500 2021
“Well regarded for her expertise handling notable matrimonial finance cases, often of considerable value. She offers noted experience of Schedule 1 cases, high-value prenuptial agreements and divorces. Her clients include well-known actors and sportspeople.”
Strengths: “A rising star and great advocate, with an excellent ability to grasp the heart of the case quickly.” “She is very good with clients – she works incredibly hard and fights hard for them.” Chambers UK Bar 2020
“She finds creative, effective, and pragmatic solutions.” Legal 500 2020
“Her attention to detail and knowledge of the law is incredible. She has excellent advocacy skills and can deal with any issues thrown at her in court.” “Loved by judges, clients and solicitors in equal measure, Sam is one of the go-to juniors not only in the North but increasingly nationwide. She has first-rate instincts and an incredible head for figures.” Chambers & Partners 2019
“She is a force to be reckoned with.” Legal 500 2019
Strengths: “Samantha Hillas is tremendously determined and will find a way to fight her client’s corner and seek a solution.” “She is very personable to the clients while maintaining a robust attitude towards her opponent. Samantha’s cases are well prepared, researched and well presented.” Chambers & Partners 2018
“A ferocious advocate, who is great with clients.” Legal 500 2017
Strengths: “A robust character; she tells it like it is, but is very clever and analytical.” “She has a wonderful manner with clients and is able to instil confidence from the outset. The cases preparation is detailed and well presented. She is great on her feet and a very strong advocate.” Chambers & Partners 2017
“A ferocious advocate, who is always willing to fight a client’s corner.” Legal 500 2016
“Familiar with handling cases at all levels, including the Supreme Court. Has significant experience in financial family law matters that relate to divorce settlements, TOLATA and Schedule 1 Children Act cases”. Strengths: “She is the counsel someone needs: works really hard, approachable, incredibly friendly and so wonderful to work with. I felt protected, and that is the most important thing for a client.” “She is fantastic. She went above and beyond and did an amazing job. Definitely someone who really fights your corner, and she is great with clients.” Chambers & Partners 2016
“A ferocious advocate, who is always willing to fight a client’s corner” (Tier 1) Legal 500
“Works like a Trojan and magics a case out of very little.” Legal 500 2015
“Renowned for her down-to-earth manner with clients in financial remedy proceedings. She typically undertakes cases involving farming assets or business structures. Strengths: A charismatic and client-friendly advocate who determinedly achieves results while retaining a sense of humour.” Chambers & Partners 2015
“Meticulous and efficient.” Legal 500 2014
Education
- Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training
