Clerking team

Ryan Barker

Senior Clerk – Matrimonial Finance and Private Law

Annette Boxall

Family Clerk

Elisa Clement

Family Clerk

Josie Carroll

Family Clerk (Matrimonial Finance)

‘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: “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)

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

Education

  • Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training