Samuel Larner

Samuel is undertaking a specialist pupillage in Family Law under the supervision of Kate Burnell KC and Damian Sanders.

Throughout the first six, Samuel has gained extensive experience in both public and private children matters. Notably, Samuel has experienced:

• A composite two-week hearing regarding alleged sexual abuse and neglect (acting for the father);
• A composite two-week hearing regarding alleged inflicted head injuries (acting for the children’s guardian);
• Various Care Order proceedings relating to unexplained injuries;
• Representing applicants and respondents in private children law matters;
• An application for a Deprivation of Liberty Order; and
• An Oxfordshire application.

During the second six, Samuel has undertaken work in the following areas:

• Acting for the applicant and respondent in non-molestation order applications;
• Acting for the applicant in a Domestic Abuse Protection Order hearing;
• Representing applicants and respondents in private law applications for:
  • Child Arrangements Orders
  • Prohibited Steps Orders
  • Special Issues Orders
  • Enforcement Orders
• Representing applicants and respondents in public law applications for:
  • Part 25 applications for placement in a Mother and Baby Assessment Unit and instruction of various experts (including intermediaries)
  • Parental Responsibility and Declaration of Parentage
  • Special Guardianship Order
  • Discharge of a Special Guardianship Order
• Representing the mother in contested interim removals;
• Representing various parties at CMH and IRH/EFH for Care and Placement Orders;
• Representing the LA at an interim care/urgent preliminary care management hearing;
• Representing the child through their Children’s Guardian at a judgment hearing; and
• Representing the child through their Children’s Guardian in the Crown Court at a joint criminal and family directions hearing.

Samuel is currently being led by Patricia Pratt in care proceedings in which non-accidental injury is alleged.

Additionally, Samuel has gained experience in drafting in the following areas:

• An advice in support of an extension to a public funding certificate for the instruction of two junior counsel; and
• An advice in support of making a Supervision Order alongside a Special Guardianship Order.

In May 2025, Samuel delivered training on the new Domestic Abuse Protection Order pilot scheme along with Lauren Maires and Tim Shortt.

Samuel continues to welcome instructions in all areas of public and private family law matters.

Prior to pupillage, Samuel was a Senior Lecturer in Linguistics at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he published research in the areas of forensic linguistics, adverse childhood experiences, ethics, and youth justice. Notable research projects explored the role of adults in facilitating children’s allegations of sexual abuse, the effects of Covid-19 on the youth justice system, and racial disparities in Pre-Sentence Reports in the youth courts.

Samuel has served as a magistrate on the Adult Crime Bench in Lancashire, developing expertise in evaluating evidence, structured decision-making, and methodical application of the sentencing guidelines.