Sarah Finney

Sarah Finney

Civil Litigation & Complaints Against Public Authorities & Inquests & Personal Injury

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Sarah Finney

Newham House, Middlesbrough

  • Actions against public authorities
  • CICA claims
  • Human rights
  • Inquests
  • Personal Injury
  • About Me

After graduating with a 2:1 Law Degree from Teesside University in 2014, I secured a paralegal role specialising in admitted and disputed road traffic accident claims. I was responsible for handling a caseload of personal injury claims which were more technical in nature and often included injuries such as fractures, ligament damage, dental injuries, injuries requiring surgical intervention, scarring, and PTSD. Alongside, I would often deal with and refute allegations of low velocity and fraud. I also have experience in handling litigated fast-track matters which include multiple claimants and defendants alike.

I gained a distinction in the LPC which I studied alongside my training contract. In September 2019 I qualified as a Solicitor. Since I have furthered my knowledge and now specialise in personal injury arising from road traffic accidents, employers and public liability matters, actions against public authorities, and data protection claims. I have also gained experience in handling inquest matters dealing with coronial proceedings and human rights breaches.

I am passionate about helping others and strive to achieve the best for my clients.

Notable Cases

Alta Fixsler Inquest
I represented the family of Alta Fixsler in the inquest into her death. Alta Fixsler, a two-year-old girl from Salford’s Hasidic Jewish community, passed away in 2021 after the High Court ruled that her life support should be turned off.

The inquest, which concluded nearly three years after her death, challenged the allegations made by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust claimed that a delay in agreeing to an emergency c-section led to Alta’s brain injury. Throughout the proceedings, the Fixsler family strongly refuted these claims, raising concerns about informed consent and the treatment they received.

The coroner ultimately found that the Trust’s allegations were “wrong medically and legally,” stating there was no delay that contributed to Alta’s hypoxic brain injury. This ruling vindicated the family, bringing them some measure of justice after years of carrying these accusations.

The Coroner has requested further evidence regarding the Trust’s policies on informed consent, with a decision on a ‘Prevention of Future Deaths’ report to be deferred.

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Yousef Makki Inquest

I represented the family of Yousef Makki in the inquest of his death. Yousef Makki was killed in 2019 by a stab wound inflicted by his friend, Joshua Molnar, who was dubbed as a ‘rich kid’. Molnar was later charged with the murder and manslaughter of Makki after his recollection of events was questioned by police. Molnar was acquitted of murder and manslaughter, having relied upon an argument of self-defence.

After an inquest in 2021 found Makki died from “complications from a stab wound the precise circumstances of which cannot, on the balance of probabilities, be ascertained”, Yousef’s family pressed on asking for the decision to be judicially reviewed in high court. Resulting in the conclusion of the first inquest was quashed and a new inquest to take place before a different Coroner.

In 2023, the second inquest into the death of Yousef Makki found that he was unlawfully killed, rejecting the claim of self-defence made by Joshua Molnar. This ruling acknowledged that Molnar’s actions were unnecessary, disproportionate, and unreasonable. Yousef’s family received justice for Yousef.

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Doreen Morris Inquest

I represented the family of Doreen Morris in the inquest into her death. Doreen Morris, a 64-year-old woman, was found dead in her burned-down bungalow in Anglesey, Wales, in 1994. Despite early criminal investigations, no one was convicted of her murder, and the case remained unsolved for nearly three decades.

After years of campaigning by her daughter, Audrey Fraser, the inquest was reopened. In April 2023, the Coroner concluded that Doreen Morris was unlawfully killed. This ruling marked a crucial step in the family’s long fight for justice.

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