New Judicial Appointment: District Judge Sarah Blackmore
news
21/10/2024
Spire Barristers is delighted to announce that The King has appointed Sarah Blackmore to be a District Judge on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable Shabana Mahmood MP and the Lady Chief Justice, the Right Honourable the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill. Sarah has been appointed as a District Judge on the North Eastern Circuit, based at Sheffield County Court, with effect from 28 October 2024.
During Sarah’s practice, she regularly appeared on behalf of local authorities, parents, extended family members and Children’s Guardians and often represented parents suffering from mental illness, those with severe learning difficulties as well as ‘child parents’ in serious, complex cases (both public and private law); involving serious non-accidental injury and sexual abuse, often including both issues in the same case, as well as cases involving neglect, mental health issues, learning difficulties/disabilities, domestic violence, ‘implacable hostility’ and ‘parental alienation’.
She was recently ranked as Tier 1 Junior in Family: Children and Domestic Abuse in the latest edition of Legal 500 UK Bar directory . In 2021, at the Pro Bono Awards, Sarah received the John Collins Pro Bono Excellence Award in recognition of her tireless work as a case reviewer and instructed advocate helping ensure that many in society received access to justice who otherwise wouldn’t.
Sarah has contributed enormously to life in chambers over many years, working tirelessly as Joint Head of Chambers for over 6 years as well as holding other positions in chambers, including Director of Pupillage.
Joint Head of Chambers Jacqueline Thomas KC commented, “It has been a true privilege to work alongside Sarah as Head of Chambers. Her work ethic is incredible and all members of chambers will miss her kind and attentive approach. Through her work as our previous Director of Pupillage she created a truly nurturing training environment based on warm and open communication and support. Her active interest in the development and retention of our members and staff has set the tone and ethos for chambers which will continue for years to come. I’m very grateful for all that she’s contributed and will miss her greatly “
Senior Clerk, Leigh Royall also commented, “Sarah has been a driving force in chambers success since we became Spire Barristers 7 years ago, her selfless endeavour over the years will see chambers prosper for many years to come. She has been a true leader and inspiration to many. I have no doubt that her altruistic ethic will now benefit even wider sections of society from the bench. She will be greatly missed.”
Everyone at Spire Barristers, the members, clerks and staff, are incredibly proud to congratulate her on her appointment and wish her well in the next chapter of her legal career.
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