Sandra Murgatroyd is a Family Law Barrister and dual-qualified solicitor with over 20 years’ legal experience. She focuses on Children Act disputes, including contact and residence, and accepts instructions for prohibited steps, specific issue, non-molestation and occupation orders.
Known for clear advice and steady advocacy, she supports clients through sensitive, complex family cases.
Sandra’s practice focuses on family law, with particular emphasis on:
Child Arrangement Orders (contact, residence and shared residence)
Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issue Orders
Parental responsibility disputes and applications to enforce
Domestic abuse cases, including fact-finding hearings
Cases involving substance misuse and the welfare of children
Non-molestation orders and occupation orders
Matters where social services are involved and child welfare is a concern
Instructions for both Applicants and Respondents in private family law disputes
Sandra is dual-qualified, having practised as both a solicitor and a barrister. Before her call to the Bar, she founded and managed her own law firm, advising on criminal, property, family, wills and probate matters. She has also worked as a Senior Crown Prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, where she prosecuted cases ranging from motoring offences to serious crime. Earlier in her career, she practised as a defence solicitor in high-street firms.
This breadth of experience underpins Sandra’s current family law practice, particularly in child arrangements cases involving allegations of domestic abuse or substance misuse. She is frequently instructed to advise and represent clients where children’s welfare and social services involvement add complexity to proceedings.
Her combination of professionalism, empathy and tactical judgment makes her a trusted choice for clients navigating difficult family disputes.
For more information on Direct Access, Family Law and working with our team visit our blog.
