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 specialises in family finance work, representing clients in finance and divorce cases. Zoë regularly deals with high-net-worth clients involving company shareholdings, business valuations, family trusts, complex pensions and international assets. Zoe has a wealth of experience dealing with cohabitation disputes (involving ToLATA and Applications under Schedule 1 of the Children Act) and private law children disputes (involving cross-border issues, intractable contact disputes and parental alienation).

Zoë is a highly skilled advocate and regularly appears in court at all levels.

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

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.

She also 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.

Zoe is 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.

She 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 mediator as well as an 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, Family: 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 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

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

The Legal 500 2023, Divorce and 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

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

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

She exudes authority and skill.”

LEGAL 500 2020, FAMILY AND CHILDREN LAW

She is a fearless advocate.”

Legal 500 2019, Family and Children Law

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

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.