Sarah Walker

Sarah is regularly involved in disputes between and within companies and other business entities. Her experience includes the construction and enforcement of complex contractual agreements, warranties and guarantees as well as disputes arising out of breaches of contract and civil fraud.

Her current and recent instructions include:

• Acting for the successful Defendant in a 9-day civil fraud trial arising in relation to a property investment dispute. The matter included allegations of sham and/or doctored documents and fraudulent changes to Companies House. Sarah successfully undermined the credibility of the Claimants’ witnesses, including discovering that one of the main witnesses was wearing smart glasses whilst giving evidence. It is the first reported judgment dealing with such a situation and attracted significant media coverage. [UAB Business Enterprise v Oneta Ltd  [2026] EWHC 543 (Ch)]
• Acting for a property investment company in relation to a multi-million-pound property development project and the proper construction of its entitlement to commission, specifically in relation to subsequent overage payments. (confidential expert determination)
• Acting in relation to a dispute between partners in an LLP, where a key issue is the terms on which the parties orally agreed to incorporate the LLP. The proceedings also include allegations of deceit, conspiracy, knowing receipt and dishonest assistance. The matter is listed for a 9-day trial at the beginning of 2027.
• Acting for a bike manufacturer in respect of a multi-million euro dispute with a prestigious automobile and lifestyle brand for breach of contract and conspiracy.
• Acting for a prop-tech startup in relation to a c. €500,000 debt said to arise in relation to the assignment of a software development contract. The matter included consideration of the necessary contractual requirements for a valid assignment and allegations of economic duress. Sarah successfully obtained an injunction to prevent the advertisement of a winding-up petition and ultimately had the petition struck out.
• Acting for the Defendants in a dispute arising following the dissolution of GP partnership. The matter includes the proper construction of a settlement agreement reached between the parties and an account of sums due.
• Advising in relation to possible breach of warranty claims arising out of a multi-million pound purchase of a care home business.

Sarah has considerable experience brining and defending claims including allegations of dishonesty. She has been involved in cases alleging “sham” documents as well as cases arising out of mortgage/identity fraud, vintage car fraud and property investment fraud.

Recent and notable cases include:

• Acting for the successful Defendant in a 9-day civil fraud trial arising in relation to a property investment dispute. The matter included allegations of sham and/or doctored documents and fraudulent changes to Companies House. Sarah successfully undermined the credibility of the Claimants’ witnesses, including discovering that one of the main witnesses was wearing smart glasses whilst giving evidence. It is the first reported judgment dealing with such a situation and attracted significant media coverage. [UAB Business Enterprise v Oneta Ltd  [2026] EWHC 543 (Ch)]
• Acting for the successful Claimants in a 5-day trial on the terms of various family trusts. Through her cross-examination of the Defendants’ witnesses, Sarah persuaded the court that key documents had not been created on the dates stated on their face. Instead, they had been produced for the purposes of the litigation.
• Acting in relation to a dispute between partners in an LLP, where a key issue is the terms on which the parties incorporated the LLP. The proceedings also include allegations of deceit, conspiracy, knowing receipt and dishonest assistance.
• Advising in relation to potential committal proceedings following findings at trial that a third party had interfered with a witness.
• Committal proceedings, led by Romie Tager KC, arising out of a civil fraud and misrepresentation claim involving a multi-million pound property investment scheme.
• Acting as sole Counsel in relation to a fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract and tracing claim arising out of an investment of nearly £700,000 in a property development project.
• Providing advice regarding an indemnity under an assignment agreement in a complex situation involving a multi-million pound fraud and both civil and criminal proceedings.

Sarah has acted for and advised clients in connection with various company and partnership matters including unfair prejudice petitions and just and equitable winding up. In addition, through her work on the A-G’s Panel of Counsel, Sarah has developed a specialism in director disqualification (which proceedings frequently involve consideration of the scope and extent of directors’ duties).

Recent and notable cases include:

• Acting in a dispute over the membership of a Company providing voice assisted AI software. In addition to forensic factual matters, the proceedings also raise technical legal arguments over the validity of certain resolutions and the potential application of Duomatic in the circumstances of the case.
• Acting in relation to a dispute between partners in an LLP, where a key issue is the terms on which the parties incorporated the LLP. The proceedings also include allegations of deceit, conspiracy, knowing receipt and dishonest assistance.
• Acting for the Secretary of State for Business and Trade in a trial to disqualify two directors on the grounds that they had allowed the company to trade to the detriment of HMRC.
• Acting for the Defendants in a dispute arising following the dissolution of GP partnership. The matter includes the proper construction of a settlement agreement reached between the parties and an account of sums due.
• Advising in relation to the dissolution of a partnership, specifically considering the merits of setting aside and/or otherwise challenging an award made by the Beis Din requiring her client to pay more than £1million.
• Advising two shareholders in a British vineyard on a potential unfair prejudice petition and/or remedies in respect of breaches of director duties.
• Acting for a German bank (led by Stuart Hornett) in a complex s.994 petition and breach of warranty claim relating to its investment in a start-up technology company which culminated in a c.3-week trial. The case settled whilst waiting for judgment.
• Defending a claim arising out of a partnership dispute and unfair prejudice petition involving approximately £30 million of assets, led by Stuart Hornett [Badyal v Badyal  [2018] EWHC 68 (Ch)]. Stuart and Sarah were also successful on appeal [Re: Paramount Powders (UK) Ltd  [2019] EWCA Civ 1644].

Sarah’s practice covers both corporate and individual insolvency matters. Many of the commercial and property cases she has been involved in have included an insolvency element.  However, she also appears as an advocate on behalf of debtors and creditors in pure insolvency proceedings, often instructed on behalf of HMRC

Sarah is regularly instructed in the following matters:

• Directors’ disqualification proceedings.
• Public interest winding-up petitions.
• Contested winding-up and bankruptcy petitions.
• Applications to annul a bankruptcy order or to rescind a winding-up order.
• Injunctions to restrain presentation or advertisement of winding-up petitions.

Recent and notable cases:

• Acting for the Secretary of State for Business and Trade in a 1-day trial for a disqualification and compensation order in the context of obtaining a Bounce Back Loan. [Secretary of State for Business and Trade v Stan  [2026] EWHC 1164 (Ch)]
• Acting for the Secretary of State for Business and Trade in a 1-day trial for a disqualification and compensation order in the context of obtaining a Bounce Back Loan. [Secretary of State for Business and Trade v Pal  [2026] EWHC 262 (Ch)]
• Acting, led by Peter Shaw KC, for the Trustees in Bankruptcy in the high-profile bankruptcy of Dr Al-Humaidi (arising out of the failure of the “Dartford Disney” project). Sarah’s involvement has included various applications including: (i) a second application to suspend the bankrupt’s automatic discharge (where Sarah did the advocacy for the interim order); and (ii) applications under s.366 for certain documents from third parties.
• Acting for the Secretary of State for Business and Trade in a 3-day trial to disqualify two directors on the grounds that they had allowed the company to trade to the detriment of HMRC.
• Acting for a prop-tech startup in relation to a c. €500,000 debt said to arise in relation to the assignment of a software development contract. The matter included consideration of the necessary contractual requirements for a valid assignment and allegations of economic duress. Sarah successfully obtained an injunction to prevent the advertisement of a winding-up petition and ultimately had the petition struck out.
• Acting for HMRC successfully opposing a moratorium application and then an administration application made in the context of a petition debt of nearly £4million.
• Acting for the Secretary of State for Business and Trade in an application to wind-up a company purporting to provide debt collection services on public interest grounds.

Sarah is recognised as a leading junior in Property Litigation in Legal 500. She has experience in all key property areas including co-ownership disputes, boundary disputes, easements and adverse possession. She also represents and advises landlords, tenants and lenders in relation to residential and commercial properties. She is regularly instructed on possession and forfeiture matters as well as disrepair claims, service charge disputes and 1954 Act lease renewals.

Current and recent instructions include:

• Acting for the Defendant landlord in a 3-day High Court trial arising out of disagreements over how to best deal with rotten floor joists in a Grade 2 listed building. The matter involved considerable expert evidence on the manner in which the floor joists could be repaired or replaced and how the work would be best carried out. [MSA Properties Ltd v Drapery Northampton Ltd  [2026] EWHC 1420 (KC)]
• Acting for a property investment company in relation to a multi-million pound property development project and the proper construction of its entitlement to commission, specifically in relation to subsequent overage payments. (confidential expert determination)
• A co-ownership and partnership dispute arising out of the breakdown of a romantic relationship. The matter includes allegations of coercive control.
• A commercial forfeiture action in relation to prestigious Central London property.
• Acting for two of three Defendants in a complex and contentious disrepair matter involving water ingress from a flat roof in a block of flats.
• Advising in relation to rescinding an agreement to purchase a property on the basis of misrepresentation and/or non-disclosure of a planning application.
• Acting for the purchaser of a prestigious country home to obtain possession against common law tenants, renting for below the AST threshold. This was reported in the Daily Mail –  Defiant Evelyn Waugh superfans are STILL living in the literary giant’s £3M Cotswold home | Daily Mail Online
• A family dispute in the High Court over the ownership of two valuable property development plots, involving common intention constructive trusts, resulting trusts and proprietary estoppel as well as allegations of forgery. The matter culminated in a 6-day trial in 2020, where Sarah obtained a favourable judgment and costs award for her clients [Bulled v Petrie  [2020] EWHC 2485 (Ch)].

Sarah has been instructed as counsel in a number of high value arbitrations and/or expert determinations. She has experience working as both sole counsel and as part of a larger team of lawyers.

In addition, Sarah is frequently asked to advise on the meaning and effect of arbitration and expert determination agreements, the validity of referrals and/or appointments and the availability of relief under the Arbitration Act 1996.

Recent and notable cases include:

• An LCIA Arbitration: acting for the Defendants (led by Nicholas Trompeter KC) in a dispute arising out of a multi-million-euro investment in crypto-currency.
• An Arbitration: advising in relation to setting aside and/or otherwise challenging an award made by the Beis Din.
• An expert determination: representing a property investment company in a dispute over payments under a property development contract.

MSA Properties Ltd v Drapery Northampton Ltd [2026] EWHC 1420 (KB)

A landlord and tenant dispute over how rotten floor joists should be replaced/repaired in a Grade 2 listed building and whether the landlord could require vacant possession of the premises for 10 weeks. Sarah successfully reduced the period to 6 weeks for the work and no vacant possession for inspection.

Secretary of State for Business and Trade v Stan [2026] EWHC 1164 (Ch)

Disqualification proceedings arising out of an application for a Bounce Back Loan. This is a seminal case where Chief ICC Judge Briggs has laid down recommendations as to how such allegations ought to be approached by the Secretary of State.

UAB Business Enterprise v Oneta Ltd [2026] EWHC 543 (Ch)

A 9-day civil fraud trial where Sarah successfully persuaded the court to prefer her client’s evidence. Sarah also established during her cross examination that one of the Claimants’ witnesses was wearing smart glasses and was being coached whilst giving his evidence. It is the first reported judgment of such an occurrence.

Secretary of State for Business and Trade v Pal [2026] EWHC 262 (Ch)

A 1-day trial of claim for a disqualification and compensation order in the context of an application for a Bounce Back Loan.

Halai v Patel (2025)

A highly contentious family dispute over the terms of trusts including a potentially multi-million pound account. Sarah acted for the successful Claimants in the 5-day trial. She cross-examined the main witness for over a day and ultimately satisfied the court that the documents the Defendants sought to rely upon were not genuine. The account remains ongoing.

Secretary of State v Page and another (2025)

A 3-day trial in the Insolvency and Companies Court. Sarah successfully obtained a disqualification order against two Defendants for allowing a company to trade to the detriment of HMRC.

MVL Properties (2017) Limited v The Leadmill Limited (2024)

A highly publicised 1954 Act claim in respect of an iconic nightclub in Sheffield. Sarah is part of the new team brought in shortly before the initial trial, who sought to add additional and novel arguments in defence of the landlord’s opposition to the renewal of the Leadmill’s tenancy, including submissions on the correct interpretation of ground g and an argument that it may not be compatible with Article 1 of the First Protocol of the ECHR.

Re Brickvest Limited (2022)

A complex s.994 petition and breach of warranty claim relating to a German bank’s investment in a fin-tech start-up which culminated in a c.3-week trial. The case settled whilst waiting for judgment.

Official Receiver v Skeene [2020] EWHC 1252 (Ch)

An application by the Official Receiver to disclose an affidavit sworn by a defendant in director disqualification proceedings to the Serious Fraud Office. Sarah obtained a favourable outcome for her client and also highlighted a lacuna in the CPR rules which has since been remedied.

Bulled v Petrie [2020] EWHC 2485 (Ch)

A family dispute in the High Court over the ownership of two valuable property development plots, involving common intention constructive trusts, resulting trusts and proprietary estoppel as well as allegations of forgery. The matter culminated in a 6-day trial in 2020, where Sarah obtained a favourable judgment and costs award for her clients.

Re Paramount Powders [2019] EWCA Civ 1644

Successful resisted (led by Stuart Hornett) an appeal against the refusal by the trial judge to make a just and equitable winding-up under s.122(1)(g) of the Insolvency Act 1986. The case involved a detailed analysis of the authorities concerning the analogy with partnership concepts, clean hands and winding up being a last resort.

Badyal v Badyal [2018] EWHC 68 (Ch)

Appeared for the Second Defendant (led by Stuart Hornett) in a claim arising out of a partnership dispute and petition under s.994 of the CA 2006. The case involved serious allegations and counter-allegations of fraud, breaches of director’s duties and setting up competing businesses. Sarah and Stuart were successful on all the above points, resisted the petition under s.994 CA 2006 and established that many UK and Indian companies’ assets worth £30 million+ were partnership property or held on trust. The Court awarded the Second Defendant indemnity costs of the action. The case led to numerous heavy applications including injunctions and share transfer orders in the face of a competing Indian injunction; debarring orders; relief from sanctions and applications for pre-dissolution distributions.

Al-Nesnas v Al-Najar and others (2017) Ch

Acted for the Claimant (led by Romie Tager QC) in committal proceedings arising out of a claim for civil fraud and breach of contract and following a successful application for a freezing order. The committal proceedings were settled prior to the full hearing. Sarah has continued to be involved in various satellite issues relating to the beneficial interests held in various properties related to the Defendants.