Sarah Keily

Sarah joined Thomson Snell & Passmore in September 2004 as a Trainee Solicitor. She qualified into the Family department in 2006 and was made a Partner in 2018.

Sarah deals with all aspects of family law, for both married and unmarried people and for those who have issues relating to the arrangements for children.

As a member of Resolution, Sarah is committed to helping all of her clients through their case in the most constructive and cost-effective way possible. She is known for taking a pragmatic and empathetic approach and always strives to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients.

Divorce, judicial separation and dissolution of Civil Partnerships
Issues in respect of children, including parental responsibility, deciding with whom a child should live, deciding how often a child should spend time with a parent and re-location (national and international)
All financial aspects of a relationship breakdown
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Advice and agreements for cohabiting couples
Issues between former cohabitees
Domestic violence, including applications for non-molestation and occupation orders.

Achievements & other appointments

Sarah is a member of Resolution, an organisation of family lawyers who are committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. Sarah is the joint chair of the Kent Resolution committee.

Sarah was one of the founders of Young Kent Resolution, a branch of the national Resolution organisation for young family solicitors in Kent. She chaired that organisation from 2008 until 2014.

Sarah acted for the father in the reported case of Re C (‘Parental Alienation’; Instruction of Expert) [2023] EWHC 345 (Fam) where judgment was given by the President of the Family Division.

Sarah is acknowledged in leading independent guide to UK law firms, Chambers UK, as an up and coming lawyer in her field and is described in that guide as ‘someone to watch – a real partner of the future.’

Sarah is recognised in the Legal 500 Directory as a recommended lawyer and is described in that directory as being ’empathetic, straight talking and sensible.’

Sarah is listed as a Citywealth Leader.

The British Family Law Awards 2024 - Family Law Firm of the Year (Regional) - Highly Commended award

eprivateclient Top Family Law Firms 2023

Education

Sarah gained an Honours degree in Law from the University of Sheffield and a Distinction in the Legal Practice Course at The University of Sheffield. Sarah was admitted as a solicitor in September 2006

I would like to go on record to recommend the family law services of Thomson Snell & Passmore in general and Sarah Keily (Partner in the Family department) in particular. When Sarah took on my case, from another law firm, she was required to assimilate a vast quantity of documentary evidence in a short time which she achieved with great professionalism. As the case progressed, becoming increasingly more acrimonious and aggressive, Sarah remained calm and level-headed and dispensed clear and sound advice on the best way to make progress. Her skills and contacts in selection of Counsel were first class. I was aware at the outset of my case that the prospects for success for working fathers can often be an immensely uphill struggle. The work done by Sarah and the positive outcome she helped to achieve for me showed that such causes are certainly not without hope. I would strongly recommend her services to anyone.
— Anthony Cousins

Partner, Family

Specialisms & expertise

Achievements & other appointments

Education

Testimonials