Lyndsey Sambrooks-Wright

Lyndsey is regularly instructed in all areas of family law including public law, private law and applications for international family law.

Lyndsey is often instructed in cases involving non-accidental injury. In particular, she has represented clients in a number of cases involving 'shaken baby syndrome' (both as sole and led Junior). Lyndsey has also acted in cases involving issues including serious sexual assault, radicalisation and those with international elements. Lyndsey has a special interest in cases involving transgender issues.

Lyndsey frequently represents vulnerable clients in the family and criminal courts, as well as the Court of Protection.

Lyndsey has acted in cases involving jurisdictional disputes, relocation applications and child abduction matters.

My work

Care proceedings dismissed against parents accused of fracturing baby's arm and leg. Re C [2018] Represented the mother in a case whereby the parents were accused of causing a number of non-accidental fractures to a baby, an allegation supported by all the medical experts in the case. At the end of a six-day fact-finding hearing, no findings were made against either parent, the care proceedings were dismissed and the children were returned home.

Contact put in place for mother of baby who had ingested Class A drugs. Re R-L [2017] Represented mother in care case whereby young infant had suffered developmental delay due to ingestion of Class A drugs. Contact regime put in place for mother.

Children rehabilitated to parents following allegations of inappropriate physical chastisement. Re R, N and D [2017] Represented Tamil mother in care case with allegations of inappropriate physical chastisement. Children rehabilitated to parents' care.

Acted in application for reintroduction of contact to transgender parent Re E [2015]: Represented parent in private law children case whereby one parent was undergoing gender reassignment. Issues relating to reintroduction of child to parent after long period of no contact.

Represented Local Authority in case of shaken baby syndrome. Re M [2013] Acted as junior alone for Local Authority in case of shaken baby syndrome. After ten day fact-finding hearing, findings were made that the child had been shaken. Child subsequently rehabilitated to parents.

Represented Local Authority as led junior in case of alleged shaken baby syndrome.London Borough of Islington v Al Alas and Wray [2012] EWHC 865 (Fam): Acted as led junior representing the Local Authority in alleged case of shaken baby syndrome, in which the child was instead determined to have died as a result of a complex medical condition. 

Jurisdiction deemed to lie in Spain, despite consent order accepting that jurisdiction remained in England and Wales.GW v MW [2015] EWFC 56: Successfully argued that the matter should be heard in Spain, despite previous consent order accepting that jurisdiction remained in England and Wales.

Determined that matter should be heard in England and Wales despite children being habitually resident in Eire.T v T [2012] EWHC 2877 (Fam): Successfully argued that England and Wales was the appropriate jurisdiction for a private family law dispute, where the children's habitual residence was deemed to lie in Eire and the issue of jurisdiction was contested.

About me

Lyndsey Sambrooks-Wright has been ranked as a leading Junior in the Legal 500 since 2020 and was shortlisted as Young Family Lawyer of the Year in 2012.

Lyndsey is regularly instructed in public and private family law matters, including cases with an international element, and is part of the Court of Protection team. Lyndsey also maintains a criminal law practice and is an experienced mediator.

Lyndsey worked as an assistant to a Consultant Clinical Psychologist providing medicolegal reports to the family courts and specialising in transgender issues. Lyndsey continues to produce publications through this partnership. Lyndsey joined Garden Court Chambers in 2018 following ten successful years at a busy common law set.

What my clients say

"Is able to explain complex legal concepts in an easy to understand way to lay people, and gets to the root of the issue at hand quickly."

Legal 500, 2020

Professional & academic

TRAINING AND SEMINARS

Lyndsey regularly produces training materials and undertakes seminars for the benefit of professional clients. Lyndsey has a particular interest in issues relating to transgender clients and chaired group sessions discussing the impact of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 at the International Women's Conference 2015.

Lyndsey spent some months in Cambodia in 2015 working with a number of NGOs specialising in human rights advocacy. She continues to assist and advise remotely.​

AWARDS

  • Jordan's Young Family Lawyer of the Year award finalist (2012)
  • Major Scholar (Lord Astbury) , Middle Temple (2007)
  • Major Scholar (Lord Astbury), Middle Temple (2006) 

EDUCATION 

  • Call to the Bar, Middle Temple (2008)
  • Bar Vocational Course, BPP Law School (2008)
  • Graduate Diploma in Law, City of London University (2007)
  • BA (Hons) English Language and Literature, Oxford University (Pembroke College) (2005)​

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP 

  • Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers (executive committee)
  • Bar Human Rights Committee
  • Liberty
  • Amicus ALJ
  • Resolution
  • FLBA
  • CBA