Zoë is incredibly bright and quick. Her ability to absorb and process information is formidable as is her knowledge of the law. In court, her calm and precise delivery is highly persuasive and, where necessary, powerful and incisive.”

The Legal 500 2026, Divorce and financial remedy

Zoë Saunders is a highly regarded family law barrister, arbitrator and mediator practising from St John’s Chambers and an Associate Tenant of 36 Family at The 36 Group. She was called to the Bar in 2003 and has developed a broad and sophisticated practice encompassing complex financial remedy work, children law, wills and trusts disputes and related professional negligence matters.

Zoë has particular expertise in financial remedy and family finance cases, regularly representing clients in high-value and intricate disputes involving farms and farming businesses, multiple properties, trusts, complex pensions, company shareholdings and international assets. She is also experienced in cohabitation disputes (including ToLATA and Schedule 1 Children Act applications), confiscation orders and international enforcement of maintenance orders.

In private law children work, Zoë is adept at handling cases at all levels of the Family Court and the High Court. Her practice includes international relocation disputes, cross-border jurisdiction issues under Brussels II and Hague Conventions, intractable contact disputes and parental alienation cases.

Zoë’s wills and trusts expertise covers contested probate claims, inheritance disputes, proprietary estoppel and complex trust issues, often with international dimensions and assets held abroad.

She is recognised for her meticulous preparation, clear advocacy and practical advice in and out of court, and contributes to the profession as an author of the Dictionary of Private Children Law. Zoë is also a qualified IFLA arbitrator in both children and financial matters and brings alternative dispute resolution options to her clients when appropriate.

Directory Quotes

Zoë is consistently excellent, both in her managing of client expectations and support and in her ability to prepare and fight a case. She is unflappable and superb with complex financial information.”

Chambers UK 2026, Family: Matrimonial Finance

Zoë is a real technical lawyer and incredibly bright, great for those tricky areas which don’t crop up every day. She presents the case extremely clearly and gets her message across perfectly.”

Chambers UK 2026, Family: Matrimonial Finance

Zoë is incredibly bright and quick. Her ability to absorb and process information is formidable as is her knowledge of the law. In court, her calm and precise delivery is highly persuasive and, where necessary, powerful and incisive.”

The Legal 500 2026, Divorce and Financial Remedy

Zoë is a fearless and effective advocate who will stand her ground. She is my go-to barrister for complex cases.

Chambers UK 2025, Family: Matrimonial Finance

Zoe is fiercely intelligent and her ability to grasp the issues of a case quickly is second-to-none. Her preparation of case is extremely thorough, as is her breadth of knowledge.

The Legal 500 2025, Divorce and financial remedy

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 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, Family: Divorce and Financial Remedy

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

The Legal 500 2023, Divorce & Financial Remedy

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

The Legal 500 2023, Divorce and Financial Remedy

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 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

Zoë 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, Zoë 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.”

The Legal 500 2021, DIVORCE & 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

She exudes authority and skill.”

LEGAL 500 2020, FAMILY AND CHILDREN LAW

Zoë has a great manner with clients, excellent cross-examination skills and delivers advice in a sympathetic and honest manner. ‘She’s an excellent negotiator and is good on her feet. She is very down-to-earth and clients have been delighted with the results she has achieved on their behalf.“

CHAMBERS UK 2020, FAMILY/MATRIMONIAL

Zoë is a strong advocate who you know will always give clients sensible, realistic advice but won’t shy away from pursuing challenging routes. ‘Very thorough, good on her feet and clients love her.’ “

Chambers UK 2019, FAMILY/MATRIMONIAL

She is a fearless advocate.”

Legal 500 2019, Family and Children Law

Seminars & Events

  • Appointments:

    • Deputy District Judge
  • Qualifications:

    • 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.