Sarah Crowther KC

Year of Call:
1999
Year of Silk:
2018
Direct Access:
No

Sarah Crowther KC has a broad practice with areas of focus in personal injury, private international law, clinical negligence and public law and discrimination cases.

Sarah has experience in all claims for injury, illness or accident with an international element, including advising on European law issues especially concerning the EU Motor Insurance Directives and disputes over jurisdiction and applicable law. She has appeared in recent high-profile cases in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and is experienced in working with expert evidence of foreign law and handling claims to which foreign law applies.

Regularly acting for both claimants and defendants, Sarah balances a “commercial approach” with a “compassionate nature”.

Sarah’s public and human rights law practice, founded on her experience of constitutional human rights appeals to the Privy Council, focuses on discrimination, supply of goods and services and employment. She has appeared at all levels from employment tribunal to the Supreme Court in such cases.

Sarah has acted in several of the leading cases on religious rights discrimination, including representing Christian hoteliers who refused to supply a same-sex couple with a double-bedded room due to conflict with their religious belief. She is currently appearing in Ashers v Lee concerning whether Christian owners of a bakery can lawfully be required to ice a cake with a message promoting same-sex marriage.

Sarah’s clinical negligence work includes birth injury, spinal cord injury and fatal claims. She has appeared successfully at trial in claims concerning consent to treatment following the Montgomery decision and regularly advises on complex breach and causation issues involving multiple expert disciplines.

Her broader personal injury practice encompasses catastrophic injury, road traffic, insurance, employer’s liability, sport and asbestos-related illness claims. Sarah acts at High Court level for claimants and defendants.

Sarah is recognised in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for her expertise in Travel Law, Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury.

Sarah played hockey for Cambridge University and Richmond HC, these days is a sporting spectator, including of Blackburn Rovers and Lancashire CCC. Sarah speaks German and some French.

Expertise

Sarah has longstanding experience representing clients with religious beliefs which are in collision with the protected characteristics of others, including sexual orientation, political opinion or religious or philosophical belief in both the employment sphere and also in respect of the provision of goods and services.

She has advised clients, including religious organisations, commercial businesses and individuals with respect to their rights and obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998 regarding provision of services, including services abroad, to consumers with disabilities. She has appeared in High Court judicial review proceedings concerning religious views of holders of public office.

Sarah represented the Northern Ireland bakery company whose refusal to ice a message supporting same-sex marriage onto a cake is the subject of litigation before the Supreme Court.

Sarah has substantial experience of appearing before employment tribunals in a full range of claims, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, equal pay, public interest disclosures and disability issues. She has considerable advocacy experience before tribunals, including successfully appearing before the EAT. She has conducted High Court employment litigation in injunction applications concerning breach of confidence, fiduciary duty and post-termination restrictive covenant disputes.

Sarah has appeared in many appeals to the Privy Council in both criminal and civil matters which raised constitutional matters, including recently a case concerning prosecution of a newspaper editor for the offence of scandalising the judiciary, raising important questions of freedom of expression and constitutional rights under Mauritian law. She continues to act pro bono in administrative and public law matters, including from and in the Caribbean.

Notable Public Law, Employment and Discrimination cases


Ashers Bakery, McArthur and McArthur v Lee, AG for Northern Ireland and OFMdFM intervening: Northern Ireland Court of Appeal (currently under appeal to the Supreme Court).

Discrimination – religious belief – political opinion – sexual orientation – discrimination in supply of goods and services – human rights – freedom of conscience – freedom not to express views contrary to one’s religious beliefs – devolution – constitutional challenge to equality legislation – support for same-sex marriage as a political belief – Northern Ireland.

East of England Ambulance Services NHS Trust v Sanders, (11 February 2016), Laing J, DBE

Employment – Disability discrimination – Unfair dismissal – Findings of fact – Tribunal error.

East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust v Sanders (17 October 2014) Langstaff P [2015] ICR 293; [2105] IRLR 277

Employment – Administration of Justice – Bias – Recusal – Right to fair and public hearing – tribunal use of internet to conduct own research.

Dhooharika v DPP (Mauritius) [2014] UKPC 11; (2014) 158(18) S.J.L.B. 37; Times, May 6, 2014

Contempt of court – scandalising the judiciary – Mauritius – newspaper editor jailed following publication of interview with disgruntled litigant and comment piece regarding Judge. Freedom of expression – constitutional rights – ECHR. Appeared pro bono for Commonwealth Law Association.

Preddy and Hall v Bull and Bull [2013] UKSC 73; [2013] 1 W.L.R. 3741; [2014] 1 All E.R. 919; [2014] H.R.L.R. 4; 36 B.H.R.C. 190; [2014] Eq. L.R. 76; (2013) 157(46) S.J.L.B. 37, [2012] EWCA Civ 83, [2012] 2 All ER 1017

Religious belief – sexual orientation – ECHR – Christian hoteliers unwilling to supply accommodation in double-bedded rooms to same sex couples – question whether direct or indirect discrimination.

Black v Wilkinson [2013] EWCA Civ 820; [2013] 1 W.L.R. 2490; [2013] 4 All E.R. 1053; [2013] Eq. L.R. 894; (2013) 157(28) S.J.L.B. 31

Bed and Breakfast – religious belief – sexual orientation – whether exceptions to Equality Act 2010 applied – direct or indirect discrimination – deference to legislature in ECHR rights cases.

R (on the application of Hans-Christian Raabe) v Secretary Of State for the Home Department (2013) [2013] EWHC 1736 (Admin)(Stadlen J) (Lawtel)

Religious belief – government appointment to Misuse of Drugs advisory committee – sexual orientation – procedural fairness – Wednesbury unreasonableness of revocation of appointment.

Ladele v Islington LBC [2009] EWCA Civ 1357, [2010] 1 WLR 955v

Religious belief – sexual orientation – employment – ECHR – Christian registrar of births, deaths and marriages – whether she could be excused from officiating at civil partnerships ceremonies.

Basdeo Panday v Superintendent Wellington [2008] UKPC 24, [2008] 1 AC 1386

Public law – Misfeasance in public office – Bias – Apparent bias of Chief Magistrate (Trinidad and Tobago). Whether proceedings were time-barred.

Bernard Coard v AG for Grenada [2007] UKPC 7

Death sentence – constitutionality of automatic sentencing procedure (Grenada).

Sarah acts for both claimants and defendants across the range of personal injury disputes, including catastrophic injury claims, spinal cord injuries, brain injury and fatal accidents. She handles employer’s liability claims, including asbestos-related illness claims, public liability claims, road accidents, sport and consumer claims.

Sarah frequently writes and speaks on personal injury topics. She is General editor and a contributor to the APIL Guide to Accidents Abroad (LexisNexis), 2nd ed. July 2018, a comprehensive practitioners’ text on all aspects of personal injury and illness claims with an international element. She has contributed to LexisNexis online legal information service and Journal of Personal Injury Law on personal injury and conflicts topics.

Sarah is often invited to speak on legal topics in personal injury law. Recent speaking engagements include the APIL annual conference, and APIL Accidents Abroad conference, PIBA annual and winter conferences and Spinal Injuries Association conference.

Sarah is recommended in Legal 500 for her expertise in personal injury.

International, Travel and Private International Law

Sarah regularly advises on all conflicts issues in tort and contract, especially jurisdiction in consumer and injury claims. She frequently acts in applicable law disputes including limitation, contribution claims, remedy, evidence, interest and costs. She has particular expertise in handling cases which require foreign law expert evidence and witnesses.

Sarah has acted in many of the important cases regarding direct actions for and against motor and public liability insurers across Europe and in respect of the interpretation of the EU law relating to claims on behalf of victims of uninsured or unidentified drivers where the accident is in the EU. She also litigates tort claims in non-EU accidents and advises on jurisdiction and applicable law.

She has experience of litigation in Montreal and Athens Convention claims, including clinical negligence, disability discrimination and air passenger rights issues, including flight delay compensation under Regulation 261. Sarah has handled group and illness claims, including norovirus and food poisoning.

Sarah is recommended in Chambers & Partners for her expertise in travel law and by Legal 500 as a leading silk.

Notable Personal Injury cases


Moreno v Motor Insurers’ Bureau [2016] UKSC 52; [2016] 1 WLR 3194

Compensation assessment – Motor Insurance Directives – EU law – road traffic accident France.

Pickard v Marshall and others [2017] EWCA Civ 17, Cranston J

Refusal of permission to appeal – interpretation of Art 4, Rome II – road traffic accident – France.

Le Guevel-Mouly and others v AIG Europe [2016] Hickinbottom J

Acceptance of jurisdiction through delay – forum non conveniens – extension of time – relief from sanctions – EU law, Brussels I Recast Regulation 1215/2012.

Robert Smith v Portswood House [2016] EWHC 939 Judge Curran QC

Mesothelioma – asbestos illness – reasonable foreseeability under TDN 13 – ‘substantial quantity of dust’.

Marshall v MIB [2015] EWHC 3421 (QB), Dingemans J (2 December 2015)

Conflict of Laws – Uninsured drivers – Applicable Law – Fatal accident claims – French law – EU law.

Panagaki v Minetta General Insurance and others [2015] EWHC 2700, Singh J

Jurisdiction – EU law – meaning of habitual residence – student – road traffic accident – Greece – spinal cord injury – paraplegia.

Moreno v MIB [2015] EWHC 1002 (QB); [2015] Lloyd’s Rep IR 535 (Gilbart J, 17 April 2015)

Conflict of Laws – Uninsured drivers – Motor Insurance directives – EU – Insurance – Applicable Law – Personal Injury – Catastrophic injury.

Hyde v SARA Assicurazioni [2014] EWHC 2881 (Ch) QBD (Judge Moloney QC) (Lawtel 30 July 2014)

Conflict of Laws – Italian law – Direct right against insurer – Policy indemnity limits – Costs.

Cox v Ergo [2014] UKSC 22; [2014] 2 W.L.R. 948; [2014] 2 All E.R. 926; [2014] R.T.R. 20; Times, April 14, 2014; [2012] EWCA Civ 854 (CA), [2012] RTR 11 (First Instance)

Conflict of Laws – Wrongful Death claims – question of whether action could be brought pursuant to Fatal Accidents Act despite German applicable law – use of foreign law expert evidence.

Wink v Croatia Osiguranje DD [2013] EWHC 1118 QBD (Haddon-Cave J) (Lawtel)

Conflicts of Laws – jurisdiction – tort gateway CPR 6.36 – forum non conveniens – direct action against insurer – Croatian law – whether damage sustained in jurisdiction suffi-cient to establish claim before English courts.

Cox v Ergo and Ministry of Defence [2012] EWCA Civ 1101 (CA)

Conflict of Laws – Assignment – Choice of Law – Rome I and Rome Convention – whether wrongful death claim validly assigned to MoD under German law.

Bacon v Nacional Suiza Seguros y Reaseguros [2010] EWHC 2017 (QB) [2010] ILPr R 46

Direct action against insurer – Spanish law – Foreign expert evidence – Catastrophic injuries – Road traffic – Temporal scope of Rome II Regulation.

Howe-Jones v FirstAssist and another [2010] EWHC 3909

Montreal Convention – international carriage of passengers by air – clinical negligence – whether development of pressure sores ‘accident’ – Convention limits – application of Convention and identity of carrier.

Hartwell v AG for British Virgin Islands [2004] UKPC 12; [2004] 1 WLR 2473

Vicarious liability – Employer’s liability – Scope of course of duties test – whether police force liable for injuries sustained by British tourist wounded by off-duty officer’s gun. Assessment of damages in BVI.

Sarah acts in complex liability and causation disputes arising out of clinical negligence. She is regularly instructed on behalf of NHS-Resolution in a full range of claims including birth injury, surgical claims, cauda equina, brain injuries and fatal claims. She is experienced in handling multi-disciplinary expert cases. Sarah has acted successfully in claims raising issues of informed consent following the Montgomery decision.

Sarah has been instructed in quantum cases in clinical negligence cases in excess of £10m and appears regularly in settlement negotiations and mediations arising out of clinical negligence disputes.

Sarah gives training and lectures on clinical negligence issues, including on the impact of developments in the law of informed consent in clinical practice for both clinicians and legal representatives of both claimants and defendants.

Sarah has a particular interest in safeguarding matters in sport. She has appeared in FA safeguarding proceedings and on behalf of the British Horseracing Authority. She represents and advises in investigations and proceedings and has written on safeguarding policies and implementation in sporting contexts. She has acted on behalf of individuals as well as sports organisations in cases of non-recent abuse and recent harassment claims, including before the National Safeguarding Panel, in the High Court and employment tribunal.

Sarah’s personal injury practice encompasses claims arising out of competitive and adventure sports, including skiing and other winter sports collisions, equine accidents and injury in competitive sports such as hockey, as well as leisure activities including hot-air ballooning, gliding, tobogganing and even ballroom dancing.

In the employment context, Sarah has represented in whistleblowing and other discrimination claims concerning sports issues and has advised on non-disclosure agreements and participation in regulatory and disciplinary proceedings.

Related updates

Sarah Crowther KC is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please click here.

"Sarah is a brilliant advocate and excellent all-rounder. She cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of the case."; "She's very experienced, she's very measured and she has encyclopaedic knowledge of areas she specialises in. She does her advocacy in a very calm and persuasive way."; "Sarah is very commercially minded and always strives to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients."

Personal Injury, Chambers & Partner 2024

"Clients (both professional and lay) are put at ease by Sarah's ability to grapple with complex issues, see the wood from the trees and outstanding tactical awareness."; "Sarah is an excellent leader who is confident and very experienced. She fights for her client, she is tenacious and you definitely want her on your side."; "She really cuts to the root of the issues."

Clinical Negligence, Chambers & Partners 2024

"Sarah is excellent. She is very down to earth and approachable with an incredible depth of knowledge and attention to detail."; "She is fantastic, approachable, very pragmatic, very tenacious and an all-round impressive barrister."; "Sarah has a very analytical approach and is good at seeing what others can't in arguments."

Travel: International Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2024

‘Sarah is a meticulous and tenacious advocate. Always well-prepared, not afraid to take a difficult point and technically gifted on tricky points of law and procedure.’

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2024

‘Sarah has exceptional knowledge and experience of cross-border PI and clinical negligence work.'

Clinical Negligence, Legal 500, 2024

“Sarah has a very good manner with clients and lawyers.”

Travel: International Personal Injury, Chambers and Partners 2023

“Technically she is extremely good. She is formidable on her feet.”

Travel: International Personal Injury, Chambers and Partners 2023

“Sarah is commercially aware and creative.”

Clinical Negligence, Chambers & Partners 2023

“Sarah is always clear in her advice. She sets out the options in a legal and commercial sense.”

Personal Injury, Chambers and Partners 2023

“Sarah is a brilliant advocate.”

Personal Injury, Chambers and Partners 2023

"Sarah is the silk you want in your corner. She is a fearsome advocate."

Travel Law, Legal 500 2023

"Sarah is a charming and persuasive advocate, adept at explaining difficult concepts in a digestible way."

Personal Injury, Industrial Disease and Insurance Fraud, Legal 500 2023

"Sarah has a pragmatic and commercial approach. Her knowledge of clinical negligence, and in particular cases involving cross-border issues, is outstanding."

Clinical Negligence, Legal 500 2023

"She is direct, an independent thinker, really to the point, practical and has excellent judgement."

Travel: International Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2022

"She has a great tactical mind, a lovely manner with clients and is very well organised. She's a great team player and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the law."

Travel: International Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2022

"She's energetic, cuts through the issues of a case with ease and has a first-rate intellect."

Clinical Negligence, Chambers & Partners 2022

"A tough negotiator who fights her client's corner."

Clinical Negligence, Chambers & Partners 2022

"She is very bright and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the law."

Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2022

"Sarah's advocacy is persuasive, free-flowing and well structured. She is often able to disarm her opponents quickly and easily."

Clinical Negligence, Legal 500 2022

"Sarah is an expert in jurisdiction cases and handles complex jurisdictional points with great aptitude and skill. "

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2022

"She has particularly in-depth knowledge of EU case law and related issues and uses that to clients' advantage when fighting litigated cases."

Travel Law, Legal 500 2022

"She is involved in many of the leading cases in this area. Can always be relied upon to provide imaginative solutions to thorny issues."

Travel Law, Legal 500 2021

"A leading expert on accidents abroad and jurisdictional issues."

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2021

"She's excellent - she knows the law extremely well, is incredibly responsive and very good with clients." "She has an excellent legal mind and is robust yet compassionate in her handling of cases. Her expertise in jurisdictional and applicable law issues is second to none."

Travel, Chambers & Partners 2020

"She has a first-class grasp of the law and applies it effectively."

Employment, Legal 500 2020

"She is ferocious when called for and has a razor-sharp mind."

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2020

"She is very diligent and has exceptional knowledge."

Travel, Legal 500 2020

Adopts brilliant tactics, takes a practical approach and has a lovely bedside manner which clients really like.

Travel, Chambers & Partners 2019

"She is a completely trusted pair of hands who provides good, practical solutions. She is a great advocate, who is responsive, and very sympathetic with clients."

Travel, Chambers & Partners 2019

"She has superb technical knowledge and is a very tenacious advocate."

Travel, Chambers & Partners 2019

"She is a first-class legal mind, an expert in the field of international law."

Travel, Legal 500 2019

"She has a great manner and is an unassuming advocate who secures wins that are not always the most obvious."

Personal Injury: Industrial Disease, Legal 500 2019

"She has a first-class grasp of the law and applies it effectively."

Employment, Legal 500 2019

"Recommended for catastrophic injury cases."

Consumer, Legal 500 2019

"Sarah has a fine legal mind and is extremely capable in the areas of jurisdiction, applicable law and personal injury claims. She is one of the best senior juniors in this area."

Travel, Chambers & Partners 2018

"She is an extremely experienced heavyweight in this field. She is very passionate about the clients she represents and goes all out to get the best results from them."

Travel, Chambers & Partners 2018

"Sarah is excellent on technical points of law and is a persuasive and tenacious advocate."

Travel, Chambers & Partners 2018

"A tenacious advocate, who knows her stuff."

Travel, Legal 500 2017

"Extremely confident, and a powerful and committed advocate."

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2017

"She is an excellent barrister with good judgement and client care skills."

Employment, Legal 500 2017

"She has a first-class grasp of the applicable legal principles and clearly empathises with clients."

Consumer, Legal 500 2017

"Sarah is excellent on technical points of law and is a persuasive and tenacious advocate."

Travel, Chambers & Partners 2017

"She's extraordinarily bright, has a good bedside manner with clients and is both tough and pleasant."

Travel, Chambers & Partners 2017

"She's a real specialist in jurisdiction and applicable law, who knows the legislation like the back of her hand."

Travel, Chambers & Partners 2017

"She picks up all the issues quickly and takes a pragmatic view on tactics."

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2016

"Very impressive advocacy skills; her questioning is precise and her cross-examination is very effective."

Employment, Legal 500 2016

She has great experience across all first instance and appeal courts.

Consumer, Legal 500 2016

She is practical, focused, tremendously fun to work with and someone who always appears to be one step ahead.

Travel, Chambers & Partners 2016

She explains complex legal issues in such a way that after she’s finished you feel as if a cloud has been lifted.

Travel, Chambers & Partners 2016

A very tenacious advocate, who is very persuasive and always thoroughly prepared." "She can be relied upon to provide robust and commercial advice, whilst also showing a caring and compassionate nature when meeting with lay clients.

Chambers & Partners 2015

She is a very able advocate who wins the respect of the court, clients and opponents with her straightforward, friendly and common-sense approach.

Chambers & Partners 2015

To find out more, contact Paul Barton on +44 (0)20 7427 4907 for a confidential discussion.

Our dedicated practice management team can help you identify the right barrister for your case.

  • Bar Council Member
  • South Eastern Circuit Committee Member
  • PIBA
  • ELBA
  • Women in Sports Law
  • BASL

  • French
  • German

  • Recommended in Legal 500 for Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud, Clinical negligence and Travel law (including jurisdictional issues)
  • Recommended in Chambers & Partners for International personal injury.

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