Hannah Saxe

Get to know Hannah

I have over 17 years’ experience of advising clients in all areas of private family law work. I am based in the Manchester office but act for clients all over the country and overseas. I have expertise in resolving complex arrangements for children, including those with international elements, modern family structures, and serious welfare issues. I have particular interest in surrogacy and international adoption law. I have broad experience when it comes to resolving financial disputes, both for married and unmarried couples.

I act for clients with assets of all levels, but I have particular expertise in cases where the assets are complicated, such as those involving assets overseas, businesses, trusts, and non-disclosure. I am also regularly instructed to advise about protective measures such as cohabitation, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.

My aim is always to try and resolve cases out of court, especially when there are children involved. However, if proceedings are necessary, my tenacious approach and attention to detail means I am able to help my clients achieve the best outcome.

Career Highlights

Some of my career highlights include: -

• Securing a Parental Order for a same sex couple in relation to their child born via surrogacy after they relocated to England because they could not live openly as a gay family in their home country.
• Securing recognition of an international adoption in England under the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction.
• Representing an orthodox Jewish mother in complex Children Act proceedings, involving domestic abuse and attempted international abduction of the children by their father.
• Representing the father in long running Children Act proceedings, involving parental alienation and serious false allegations, which included an appeal to the High Court.
• Successfully having an agreed financial settlement set aside in financial relief proceedings after it came to light that there had been non-disclosure by the Husband.
• Representing the unmarried claimant in proceedings under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 and establishing that she had an equal beneficial interest in the family home and connected livery, including a successful appeal to the Court of Appeal.
• Representing a parent in the settlement of a claim for financial provision for a child under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 where the other parent was ultra-high net worth.
• Successfully defending an application by a mother to relocate overseas with the parties’ child, including an appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Recognition

I am a Resolution accredited specialist in Private Children Law and Cohabitation. I was nominated for the Rising Star Award in the Private Client category of the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards in 2023.

I am ranked as being a Rising Star in Legal 500's 2023 edition, particularly in relation to my work on complex international children cases. The 2021 edition of the publication noted that: “Hannah Saxe was the stand out star in the whole process. She went the extra mile time and time again. Her assertive diplomacy ensured that the other side (as it were) were held to account at all times. Her advice was accurate and realistic."

In Chambers & Partners 2023, it was noted that I have a “brilliant rapport” with clients: “Hannah Saxe is very confident and has good attention to detail.” Also in the 2022 edition they said: “she has a grasp of the complex areas of law and can really balance the client’s needs with the legal outcome."

The extra mile

I am a passionate member of Resolution and sit on the national committee relating to cohabitation. I was also elected on to the main National Committee in 2022.

I have written articles for, and been quoted in, numerous publications, including The Family Law Journal, Today’s Family Lawyer, The Times and The Financial Times.

I have also appeared on radio and television discussing family law issues: most recently, on ITV to discuss the proposed reforms to surrogacy law.