Sam Ishaq-Forsyth

Areas of Expertise

Sam specialises in Family Law, handling matters that include divorce, financial remedies, and private children cases. Her work also extends into Public Law, particularly where children’s welfare and local authority involvement are at issue. She has acted in high-net-worth divorce cases, often involving complex financial structures, cross-border assets, and jurisdictional disputes.

Her experience covers:
• High-value financial remedy proceedings
• International and multi-jurisdictional family law
• Trusts, corporate and asset-holding structures
• Alternative dispute resolution and litigation strategy

Sam is known for her strategic approach, technical ability, and calm professionalism in managing sensitive and high-pressure situations.

Client Feedback

Clients frequently describe Sam as empathetic, reassuring, and deeply committed to their well-being. She is praised for her ability to make complex legal matters clear and manageable, offering both sound legal guidance and emotional support during challenging times.

Having personally experienced divorce and child arrangements herself, Sam brings a unique perspective to her work, her clients feel understood and supported by someone who genuinely relates to their situation. Her combination of emotional intelligence and precision ensures every client feels both heard and protected throughout their case.

Advising High-Net-Worth Clients

Sam regularly advises high-net-worth individuals on financial and strategic matters arising from marriage breakdowns. Her focus is on protecting wealth while minimising conflict and reputational risk. She has represented clients with substantial business interests, international assets, and complex trust arrangements, achieving settlements that balance fairness, discretion, and long-term financial security.

Managing Complex Financial and International Cases

Sam has extensive experience with multi-jurisdictional assets, offshore trusts, and international child relocation cases. She collaborates with overseas counsel to ensure outcomes under English law are enforceable abroad.

She provides jurisdictional advice where one or both parties are habitually resident or domiciled in England and Wales, an essential step in determining which law governs the divorce or financial settlement.

Her international work includes matters involving the UAE’s civil family law framework (Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024), coordinating with UAE-based lawyers to align foreign agreements with English law and pursuing further relief where needed under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984.

Her strategic, cross-border capability ensures clients receive robust, coordinated advice whether assets or children are located in the UK, Europe, or overseas.

Financial Claims After Overseas Divorce

Sam advises clients on financial remedies following overseas divorce, ensuring fair outcomes through the English courts where foreign settlements fall short. Her expertise includes:

• Applications for financial relief under English jurisdiction
• Division of high-value UK assets and property portfolios
• Enforcement and recognition of foreign orders
• Interim maintenance and urgent financial provision
• Child maintenance and educational claims in international contexts

Her collaborative work with foreign counsel, particularly in the UAE and Europe, ensures settlements are both fair and enforceable.

Private Children Matters

Sam supports parents through all aspects of private children law, encouraging amicable resolution through negotiation or mediation wherever possible. When court proceedings are necessary, she represents clients with a focus on the child’s welfare as the paramount consideration.

She advises on child maintenance, Schedule 1 applications for financial provision, and “top-up” claims for high-income parents. For international relocation, Sam ensures compliance with the Children Act 1989, guiding clients through the legal process with sensitivity and practicality.

High-Profile and International Work

Sam has advised professional footballers, international poker players, and other high-profile individuals on family law issues involving substantial wealth, international assets, and privacy concerns. She works discreetly to manage public and media sensitivity while securing robust financial outcomes.

Her understanding of image rights, sponsorship arrangements, and complex income structures allows her to protect both financial and reputational interests through confidential hearings or arbitration.

Jurisdictional Disputes

Sam is skilled in managing cross-border jurisdictional disputes, coordinating with overseas counsel in the UAE, Canada, and Europe to resolve competing claims and secure recognition of English judgments abroad.

Her strategic understanding of domicile, habitual residence, and international enforcement allows her to guide clients confidently through complex cross-border matters.

Approach and Philosophy

Sam’s approach blends legal precision with emotional intelligence. She believes that family law is as much about people as it is about process. Her goal is to achieve outcomes that protect both her clients’ financial interests and their emotional well-being.

Her ability to combine empathy, insight, and strategic thinking defines her practice and reflects Austin Kemp’s core values, delivering exceptional results through expertise, understanding, and integrity.

Why Sam Forsyth, Why Austin Kemp?

Sam chose Austin Kemp because of our reputation for excellence in complex family law, our commitment to high-quality client care, and our dynamic, forward-thinking approach to private family work. She was drawn to the firm’s blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and genuine compassion for the clients we serve.

In return, Sam brings the depth, skill, and emotional intelligence that align perfectly with our values. Her experience with high-net-worth, international, and multi-layered cases strengthens our Manchester team and enhances the specialist service we offer nationwide.

Sam’s professionalism, calm confidence, and commitment to achieving the best results for her clients make her an ideal addition to Austin Kemp as we continue to expand and build a market-leading family law team.