Cohabitation and Co-ownership interactive lunchtime webinars: “Case studies: Cohabitation with Children”

This webinar provided an overview of legal frameworks for cohabitation cases involving children, including TOLATA and Schedule 1 proceedings, with detailed discussions on disclosure requirements and case studies. Samara presented strategies for property disputes between cohabiting partners, emphasising the importance of thorough information gathering, proper documentation, and making strategic Part 36 offers. The conversation concluded with discussions on mediation requirements in TOLATA cases, procedural differences between Part 7 and Part 8 claims, and strategies for handling Schedule 1 proceedings, with a focus on the needs of children.

The slides from the session can be downloaded here (please email Chelsey Stuart if you would like to re-use the slides for your own purposes).

Tara is the head of the Cohabitation team in chambers, combining her considerable experience of family finance and trust of land claims to make her perfectly suited to advise and represent parties on cohabitation issues. She regularly represents clients in cases involving significant and high-net-worth assets and incomes. She is an outstanding senior junior and comes highly recommended in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners directories. Tara recently appeared for the successful father in the reported schedule 1 case of PC v CS EWFC 323 (B). In addition, Tara is a fully accredited civil mediator and private FDR judge and has considerable experience resolving cohabitation disputes in both of these capacities.

Samara has an increasing practice in cohabitee disputes. She accepts instructions in domestic TLATA claims, Schedule 1 applications, and where the two applications are made simultaneously. Samara has experience of advising at an early stage, including pre-issue Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Samara is recognised for her expertise in the Spear’s 500 Family Law Barristers Index 2025, where she features as a ‘Recommended’ barrister and in the Legal 500 2025 as a ‘Leading Junior’.

Samara is an active member of Resolution. She is a member of the Hampshire YRes committee and the Resolution Cohabitation Committee.