Clerking team

Paul Laverty
Paul Laverty

Senior Clerk - Family and Court of Protection

Elisa Clement

Family Clerk

Ryan Barker

Assistant Senior Clerk (Matrimonial Finance)

Emma Manning

Matrimonial Finance Clerk

“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

Sam Hillas 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

  • Fellow of the International Academy of Family lawyers

Memberships

Education

  • Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training