Zoë is extremely bright and knows the law in this area inside out. ‘She is an extremely professional manner and courageous approach to cases.’ ‘Zoë is a fiercely intelligent and fearless advocate. Her preparation is second to none and she is brilliant with clients’.”

Chambers UK 2024, Family: Matrimonial Finance

Zoë is a financial remedy specialist dealing with complex cases involving significant assets as well as more modest asset cases.

She has extensive experience of cohabitation disputes involving ToLATA and Applications under Schedule 1 of the Children Act, and is often asked to advise both in writing and in conference as well as acting in disputed cases in the High Court, County Court and before the land registry adjudicator.

She has expertise in financial remedy cases involving farms and farming businesses, multiple properties, trusts of land, complex pensions and insolvency. Zoe has experience in cases involving confiscation orders and proceeds of crime act issues and international enforcement of maintenance orders.

Zoë has considerable experience in private law children disputes, particularly cases involving intractable contact disputes and parental alienation.

Zoë also specialises in cases involving international issues both in financial remedy work where cross-border marriage issues arise on divorce or international assets are involved and in children cases including disputes regarding international relocation and is frequently instructed to deal with cases at high court level.

Zoë has a fast-growing professional negligence practice dealing with claims involving solicitors arising primarily from cohabitant disputes including ToLATA, trusts and estates, divorce, financial remedies and general matrimonial work.

She is also one of the authors for the Dictionary of Private Children Law (2024). The book is a unique reference guide to the key concepts, cases and practice of private children law. Read more here.

Zoë was involved in the high-profile case of Hudson v Hathway [2022] EWCA Civ 1648 in which she was nominated for ‘Family Law Case of the Year’ by the Family Law Awards 2023.

Zoe is a IFLA qualified arbitrator in children cases and financial matters. For further information about our alternative dispute resolution services click here.

Zoë has recently joined 36 Family as an Associate Tenant. 

Directory Quotes

Zoë is a powerhouse, in both her preparation and on her feet. Her swift grasp of case nuances and complexities is second to none, and is matched only by her robust but kind way with clients.’

The Legal 500 2024, 2024

Zoë is a specialist in family law often dealing with international leave to remove cases and divorce proceedings involving property in the UK and abroad.  ‘She is an exceptional advocate and will do all that she can to achieve the best outcome for the client.’ Zoë is unflappable, totally supportive and prepared to roll her sleeves up when necessary.’ She is thoughtful in her advice and anticipates challenges from your opponent way ahead of the game.’ “

Chambers UK 2023, Family: Matrimonial Finance

Zoe is a very dedicated barrister who is always keen for a challenge.”

Legal 500 2023, Divorce & Financial Remedy

Zoe is very sharp and knowledgeable whilst being understanding of a client’s difficulties. She is an outstanding advocate in court. She’s very thorough, very good with clients and effective at explaining things.”

Chambers UK 2022, Family/Matrimonial

Zoë is very willing to go the extra mile for your case.”

LEGAL 500 2022, Divorce and Financial Remedy

Zoe is a formidable advocate with a truly forensic attention to detail. She prepares her cases robustly but with the client’s needs in clear focus. ‘She is keen to embrace a tricky legal question and to turn the question on its head to develop a commercially sound solution for the client.“

CHAMBERS UK 2021, FAMILY: MATRIMONIAL FINANCE

A fierce advocate, Zoe is undoubtedly very bright and has mastered well before most the art of paperless working. Her advice is clear and backed by both a sound understanding of the law and a ready appreciation of the client’s predicament.”

Legal 500 2021, Divorce & Financial Remedy

Seminars & Events

  • Appointments:

    • Deputy District Judge
  • Qualifications & awards:

    • BA Joint Hons (Bristol), PGDL (City)
    • Scholarships David Karmel Award & Lord Justice Holker Scholarship (Gray’s Inn)
    • Zoë has completed the FLBA Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training
  • Professional memberships:

    • Family Law Bar Association
    • Resolution
    • Professional Negligence Bar Association
    • Western Circuit
    • South Eastern Circuit
    • Professional Negligence Lawyers Association, Gray’s Inn (Bencher)
    • Society of Mediators
    • IFLA qualified arbitrator in financial matters
  • Zoë Saunders is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.