Sarah Wilkinson

Sarah advised on issues of procedural fairness in relation to the investigation of some of those involved in the Trojan Horse investigation.

Sarah regularly advises potential defendants to an interim injunction application on the enforceability of non-compete clauses. She also advises Claimants which to make applications for interim relief.

Appointed as amicus to the Supreme Court on the application of section 188 TULRCA to visiting forces in the UK, (with Michael Beloff QC), involving complex questions of statutory interpretation and state immunity.

Sole counsel for the Respondent in a 6 day unfair dismissal case involving private banking practice and contested expert evidence.

Represented seven Defendants in a High Court restrictive covenant injunction case involving foreign exchange.

Acting for a claimant in a high value City whistleblowing and constructive unfair dismissal claim (with Jane Mulcahy QC).

Acted for Claimants in a very high value City whistleblowing case (with Tom Croxford). Case settled on first day of hearing.

Acting for Claimant in a high value City disability discrimination and victimisation claim - settled on first day of tribunal.

Representing a claimant teacher in an Employment Tribunal claim for disability discrimination and unfair dismissal. Case settled on first day of hearing. 

Won appeal for pro bono client in EAT on whistleblowing in a care home setting (through ELAAS and FRU schemes).

In 2018, Sarah's work has been almost entirely focused on this fifth judicial review challenge to UK policy in the Chagos Islands. She is the senior junior in a team of barristers inside and outside Blackstone managing an enormous and complex disclosure exercise across multiple government departments. This challenge involves issues of public interest immunity and the use of special advocates and required Sarah to obtain security clearance. Sarah has also acted a sole counsel for the Foreign Office in one of the interim hearings. The substantive hearing will be heard in early December. An interim judgment on disclosure issues has already been given. 

Sarah has been advising throughout 2018 on a judicial review challenge relating to the charging methodologies for offshore wind farm operators and developers in the event of undersea cable failures, with Sam Grodzinski QC. The substantive hearing is listed for January 2019. 

Throughout 2018, Sarah has continued to advise the Home Office regularly on immigration issues, particularly on the merits of appeals and in cases involving the deportation of foreign criminals

Acted for the Secretary of State for Health as intervenor in this appeal against the methodology for the funding of nursing in care homes based on the statutory interpretation of primary and secondary legislation (with Clive Sheldon QC).

Sarah advised a corporate client on Article 6 ECHR issues in the context of proceedings challenging an EU Directive (with Michael Fordham QC).

Sarah acted for the Secretary of State in two claims relating to the treatment of epilepsy, independent travel and chronic pain in applications for Employment Support Allowance. 

Sarah acted for HMRC in this case concerning the application of Article 56 TFEU to internal taxation regimes and the constitutional status of Gibraltar in Article 56 disputes (with Kieron Beal QC). It was subsequently referred to the CJEU, Case C-591/15: Judgment of the Court (Grand Chamber) of 13 June 2017 (request for a preliminary ruling from the High Court of Justice (England & Wales), Queen's Bench Division (Administrative Court) - United Kingdom) - The Queen, on the application of: The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association Limited v Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, Her Majesty's Treasury OJ 2017 C277/7.

Acted for the Civil Aviation Authority in a judicial review concerning civil flights to RAF Northolt.

Appeared as sole Counsel for the Defendant and successfully defended this appeal concerning the adequacy of reasons in an automatic deportation case in the Court of Appeal.

Acted for the DWP on construction of Employment and Support Allowance. 

Sarah has also been instructed on two forthcoming cases on similar issues in September 2016.

Sarah regularly review reports and procedures for regulatory bodies and advises on investigations and disciplinary proceedings. 

Sarah advised on issues of procedural fairness in relation to the investigation of some of those involved in the Trojan Horse investigation.

Sarah regularly acts for the government in substantive judicial review and in permission proceedings in the Upper Tribunal and Administrative Court in immigration cases. Sarah was recently involved in two section  55 (best interests of the child) claims in the Court of Appeal, which settled. 

Advising Home Office on false imprisonment and unlawful detention cases in an immigration context (particularly with a mental health element).

Sarah regularly advises the Home Office in judicial review proceedings regarding prisoners rights to training and rehabilitation programmes and security categorisations.

Advised a government department on issues of public procurement with Michael Beloff QC.

With Lord Pannick QC, Sarah advised an overseas professional regulatory body as to its procedures for hearing disciplinary cases.

Acted as HMRC devil for the winding-up list in Companies Court.

Advised on contractual and tortious remedies available to a provincial theatre in dispute with a public authority and agency.

Advised on the interpretation of a contract between parents and a private school.

Represented respondents in a multi-party dispute as to breach of covenant, and breach of directors’ duties  - case settled 

Advised an overseas regulator as to interpretation of stock exchange listing rules and application of local law to corporate sharedealings (with Javan Herberg QC).

Advised on potential mis-selling of pensions and redress under Ombudsman and FSA schemes.

In her first few years of practice, Sarah was heavily involved in a large investigation for the Financial Services Authority for two years working as a member of a team with other members of chambers.