Sara Lewis KC and Jane Withington are latest family law arbitrators as 3PB team nears 20 members
21st May 2026
3PB are delighted to announce that two more of its family law barristers, Sara Lewis KC and Jane Withington (pictured here, left to right) have qualified as Children Law Arbitrators, able to hear arbitrations under the Children Scheme. Both are now members of the specialist panel of family law arbitrators, managed by Resolution on behalf of the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators (“IFLA”). Sara and Jane join 15 other family law barristers at the national chambers 3PB already accredited as family arbitrators. This makes 3PB's family law arbitration team one of the largest groups in the UK.
Sara Lewis KC is one of the foremost family silks in the UK, described as "the KC you want on your case" by Legal 500 in 2026. She advises and represents parents in the most sensitive and contentious proceedings resulting from relationship breakdown. Her private law children practice sees her focusing on residence and contact disputes, serious domestic abuse, LGBTQ+ parenting, prohibited steps and specific issues orders and leave to remove from jurisdiction cases. Many of these cases involve serious allegations of mistreatment or false claims and resolving critical disputes over children’s education, religious upbringing, medical treatment, schooling, passports and relocation.
Jane Withington is a family law barrister and former solicitor with nearly twenty years' experience as a specialist lawyer for disputes about children. She was first accredited to the Law Society’s Children Panel in January 2014. Her practice centres on representing parents, extended family members, local authorities and children through their Guardian and separately. Jane conducts complex cases including those involving neglect, abuse and serious injuries, representing and guiding clients through every stage of the proceedings.
Please click here for details about family law arbitration and costs for 3PB’s seventeen specialist family law arbitrators. 3PB launched its own NCDR (Non Court Dispute Resolution) services for family law in June 2025 offering mediation, early neutral evaluation, private FDR hearings and arbitration. The national chambers has also produced a three-hour briefing, "Arbitration in Action", giving practical tips on appointing a family law arbitrator and featuring two mock arbitrations covering both children and financial remedy cases.
To instruct Jane or see about her availability to act as arbitrator, please contact her clerks Ian Charlton or Gemma Hyett on [email protected] or [email protected] or by calling either of them on 0121 289 4333.
To instruct Sara or see about her availability to act as arbitrator, please contact her clerks David Sadler on [email protected] or Rob Leonard on [email protected] or by calling either of them on 020 7583 8055.