Annie Sayers

Annie undertakes the full range of private children work including international and domestic applications to relocate, fact-finding hearings and all other section 8 applications. Annie is regularly instructed to represent children through their rule 16.4 Guardians.

Annie is regularly instructed in Family Law Act applications, often starting on a without notice basis. She has invaluable experience of the approach required when handling matters involving self-representing parties from her time as a McKenzie Friend prior to joining Chambers.

Annie undertakes a wide range of cases involving physical, emotional and sexual abuse, non-accidental injuries, domestic violence and neglect as a result of drug and/or alcohol abuse, learning and mental health difficulties. She acts for parents, children, extended family members and numerous Local Authorities in care proceedings. Annie works with some of the most vulnerable clients and is highly attuned to their emotional needs. Annie will give robust advice about the merits of a case where necessary but does not shy away from a contest.

Notable Public Law Children cases

Re Y (A Minor) (No 2) (Brussels II Revised: Jurisdiction after Article 15 Transfer: Welfare) [2022] EWFC 69

Annie successfully represented the child in circumstances where the Guardian recommended continued placement with the child’s foster carers under a Special Guardianship Order against an application for placement with a family member in Hungary; and a Specific Issue Order to change the child’s surname.

The Child & Family Agency (Ireland) v M & Ors [2018] EWHC 1581 (Fam)

Annie is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access Scheme in appropriate circumstances.