Sarah Manning

Sarah is an accredited Family Mediator and Senior Associate Solicitor at the practice. She is highly experienced, having previously worked in family law for over 13 years.

Sarah specialises in financial matters from mid to high net worth cases in both her capacity as a mediator and solicitor. Sarah has a wealth of experience dealing with overseas financial matters, complex pensions and business owners.

Sarah also has experience facilitating discussions concerning the terms of complex Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements within the mediation process, including those involving trusts and farmland.

Sarah is a member of Resolution which is an organisation set up for professionals who believe in a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law matters. Sarah prides herself on the service she delivers and ensures she has a good rapport with her clients whilst remaining focused on helping them achieve a resolution.

Sarah has good connections with experts in the local area such as forensic accountants, financial advisers, property experts and pension experts to ensure that parties receives the best possible service.

In the event that mediation breaks down or parties are unable to reach an agreement, Sarah promotes other alternative dispute resolution methods within mediation to resolve matters which are cost effective, less time consuming and more amicable than issuing court proceedings.

As well as financial matters, Sarah deals with private children matters. Sarah ensures that any children’s’ needs are at the forefront of any discussions and arrangements reached. From Sarah’s experience as a mediator, she is able to put forward suggestions to improve communication between clients and use tools that have been successful with other parties she has mediated for.

Sarah believes that by discussing all issues that may arise in mediation it allows parties to be ‘proactive’ rather than ‘reactive’ to a situation which is usually the reason why communication breaks down in the first place. Sarah goes through with the parties in details the terms of a parenting plan which sets out clearly how parties wish to co-parent.

Meetings can take place either face to face, over the phone, by email or through Skype/Zoom. Depending on each person’s personal circumstances, Sarah will try to accommodate the client to ensure that regular discussions can take place to progress matters.

Here is what some clients have said about Sarah:

“A very professional service and caring support from Sarah, who has represented me in a very complicated and lengthy divorce. Sarah is always available to offer her expert advice. I would not hesitate in recommending her to future clients.” James Guthrie, York

“I emailed Sarah at Consilia and received a very quick response. Sarah agreed to call me the following day and called me at the agreed time so no waiting for the call! Sarah was fantastic, she offered great advice and left me feeling alot more positive and informed on my situation. I cannot recommend highly enough, professional and caring and highly informative. Thank you”

“Sarah is a professional yet down to earth mediator who I regularly instruct as I know my client’s will get a personal yet entirely neutral service. Sarah is entrusted by us to conduct all aspects of mediation including financial and children. I would not hesitate to recommend her services.”Melanie Hartley, Partner, Ridley & Hall Solicitors

“As a mediator, I really appreciate the work Consila is doing to draw together similar minded lawyers and mediators to facilitate a local, reflective learning community. The ADR conference they facilitated in Autumn 2018 was highly relevant to practice, with expert and diverse speakers but also providing the opportunity for lots of discussion and networking. Consilia are now running more regular ADR networking events which are proving to be a great success. Laura and Sarah are generous with their time, energy and other resources to put on these high-quality training and networking events.”Anna Vollans, Vollans Mediation

About Sarah

Sarah is passionate about Alternative Dispute Resolution methods and as part of ‘Dispute Resolution Awareness Week’ she hosts a yearly seminar for local solicitors that aims raise awareness on the benefits of dispute resolution within the legal sectors. Sarah is committed to changing the view of other legal advisors to put the needs of the client and any children involved at the forefront of their agenda rather than legal fees and ‘winning’ or ‘losing’.

Sarah is married herself with two small children and her children tend to keep her busy on a weekend. Sarah likes to keep fit by going on local walks and runs regularly whilst listening to audibles.