Sally Bradley

Profile

Sally’s principal focus is cases involving children and vulnerable adults. She is regularly instructed in complex care proceedings where there are parallel criminal proceedings, and an unusual expert component

She is regularly instructed by local authorities, parents, and children’s guardians in the most serious medical cases involving non accidental injuries, fatalities, fabricated illness as well as cases involving human trafficking, and serious sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

Sally has been instructed in two (reported) cases involving allegations of factitious and induced illness.

Sally is also instructed in private law cases involving child protection, mental health, intractable contact disputes in families where there is a non-traditional structure or co-parenting arrangement or serious allegations of coercive control. She is in a unique position in that up to 2006 her practice was split equally between crime (sexual assault) and family, thereby equipping her with all the necessary forensic skills and in-depth advocacy experience, which she employs to maximum effect in the family court.

Her Court of Protection practice consists of health and welfare cases with a particular focus on medical treatment disputes including proposed withdrawal of treatment.

Sally has developed a recognised expertise in cases brought under the Inherent Jurisdiction concerning vulnerable adults who have been coercively controlled or emotionally exploited by a family member or friend. She recently represented a young adult whose sister’s treatment programme was frustrated by a family member opposed to conventional medicine

She represented a father in a case where the mother was refusing radiotherapy for their son and had gone into hiding with the child to evade treatment.

Directories

“Sally brings something different to the Bar. She is calm and considered. Her knowledge of the law is excellent, but she also uses other skills to make clients feel comfortable and listened to.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025

‘Sally’s advocacy is exceptional. A junior with great flair.’
Legal 500, 2025

“She is a fantastic barrister, who is sensitive to her client’s needs, empathetic and a pleasure to instruct.”

“She leaves no stone unturned when challenging the evidence, and is a force to be reckoned with on her feet.”

“Lovely to spend time with as she carefully and effectively plots her case.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024

‘Sally has excellent forensic analysis of the evidence and the relevant law. She is hard-working and thoughtful, with great communication skills. She has the ear of the judge and is eloquent but down-to-earth, sensible yet creative, and judges respond to her very well.’
Legal 500, 2024

“Likeable, friendly and someone with a good knowledge of the law, she’s well prepared and always available for a chat about a case whether it is one she’s been instructed on or not.”
“She’s brilliant with clients – fair but firm, she makes them feel understood and listened to. She’s calm and clear in court too.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023

‘Sally has an in depth knowledge of the law, and her preparation is extremely through, and the quality of her written documents is superb. She is approachable and always relates to clients well. Her advocacy is brilliant.’
Legal 500, 2023

“An experienced senior junior who is approachable and well liked by clients. She can handle all levels of work.” “She works incredibly hard and deals with clients in an empathetic way.” “She does not shy away from asking difficult questions and probing the evidence in fact-finding matters.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022

Sally is a phenomenal advocate. Incisive, incredibly intelligent and tremendous in court, she also demonstrates superb client care.’
Legal 500, 2022

Specialises in complex public law children issues involving serious abuse and injury. She acts on behalf of parents, children and local authorities and has particular experience in matters with concurrent criminal proceedings, having previously practised criminal law herself.

Strengths: “Sally is a compassionate and focused advocate.” “Humble and accessible, she deals with the most complicated cases.” “Experienced, confident and has a good sense of humour, which is important in this line of work.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021

‘Has an unshakable calm, an insightful brain and excellent client management.’
Legal 500, 2021