Samuel Larner

Samuel is undertaking a specialist pupillage in Family Law. Throughout the non-practising period (‘first six’), Samuel is gaining experience in all of Chambers’ areas of expertise in family law, including family finance, both public and private children matters, and Court of Protection. Specifically, Samuel has gained experience in:

• 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;
• An application for a Deprivation of Liberty Order; and
• An Oxfordshire application.

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.

Throughout his academic career, Samuel gained extensive experience working with students in distress, advocating on their behalf at various departmental and faculty panels.

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.