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Sadie Brownlie


Solicitor
Department: Social Services and Care Proceedings

Sadie is a Solicitor in our Care Team at Ridley & Hall. She is based in the firm’s Barnsley office and supports clients across Yorkshire and the North of England, including Hull and the East Riding.

Sadie commenced her training contract in 2021, primarily in the Family Team before undertaking a seat in the Wills and Probate Department. She qualified as a solicitor into the Family Team in 2023, where she assisted on both private children matters and parents involved in public children matters. In 2025, Sadie moved fully into the Care Department, focusing on supporting parents during Care Proceedings. She joined Ridley & Hall in April 2026, continuing her work exclusively within the Care Team.

Sadie specialises in matters involving care proceedings, with particular experience advising individuals involved in the Public Law Outline (PLO) proceedings and Care Proceedings. She regularly assists parents where a Local Authority has become involved in family life, providing clear legal advice at what is often a highly challenging and emotional time.

Sadie works with individuals facing Local Authority involvement and is experienced in supporting clients through complex public law proceedings. She is committed to helping clients understand the process, their rights and the decisions being made about their family.

Sadie is passionate about her work and about supporting people during some of the most difficult periods of their lives. She approaches every client with sympathy, understanding and honesty, ensuring they feel supported while receiving clear and realistic legal advice.

Outside of work, Sadie enjoys reading and baking/cooking


Social Services and Care Proceedings Team

Zoe Butt headshot

Zoe  Butt

Partner,
Solicitor,
Team Leader
Zoe Butt joined the firm in March 2023 as a Partner. Zoe has a wealth of experience in children matters and works in our Care and Public Law teams. Zoe’s particular expertise is in complex care proceedings involving Child Sexual and Criminal Exploitation, and cases involving alleged Non-Accidental Injury. She also has a wealth of experience in dealing with cases involving Forced Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation and Honour Based Violence....
Nicki Butterworth

Nicki Butterworth

Associate,
Personal Assistant
Nicki is an experienced Personal Assistant who works within the Care & Public Law Team (for Child Care Director, James Cook).Nicki’s career began in the retail sector, and it was there where she began to hone her renowned communication and customer service skills....
James Cook

James  Cook

Director,
Head of Child Care & Public Law Team
James Cook trained and qualified at a South Yorkshire firm where he specialised in family and immigration law. ...
Sara Horncastle Headshot

Sara Horncastle

Partner,
Solicitor
Sara Horncastle joined Ridley & Hall in April 2025 as a Partner in the Care Team. A specialist Children’s Solicitor, Sara has practised exclusively in the field of children law since qualifying in 2010. ...
Saniya Hussain headshot

Saniya  Hussain

Paralegal
Before joining Ridley & Hall in January 2026, Saniya graduated from the University of Leeds, where she studied LLB Law. Upon graduating, she worked as an Usher/Administrative Assistant at Leeds Crown Court Criminal Division, assisting in very serious criminal cases with offences ranging from sexual allegations, assault, GBH and murder, conducting jury trials and returning verdicts....
Clare Linden Headshot

Clare Linden

Partner,
Solicitor
Clare joined Ridley & Hall Solicitors as a Partner in 2018. Clare graduated from Durham University and completed her legal training at the College of Law in York in 2006. Clare qualified as a solicitor in 2008 when she re-located to Leeds to join the niche family law firm McAras and was made a partner in 2013 following the firm’s merger with Simpson Millar solicitors in Leeds....
Laura Milburn

Laura Milburn

Partner,
Solicitor
Laura has many years of legal experience and was called to the Bar in 2010.  After qualifying as a Barrister, Laura cross-qualified to become a Solicitor in 2012.  Laura is a passionate advocate and has used her advocacy and negotiation skills on behalf of many clients over the years. ...
Kim Noble

Kim Noble

Associate,
Solicitor-Advocate
Kim qualified as a Solicitor-Advocate in 2019 after obtaining her Higher Rights of Audience (Civil) as a Trainee Solicitor based in the Care Department at a Local Authority. Kim has obtained a Law Degree, Legal Practice Course and a Master of Laws prior to qualifying as a Solicitor-Advocate....
Maryam Razzaq headshot

Maryam Razzaq

Trainee Solicitor
Maryam Razzaq is a trainee in the Family Team at Ridley and Hall. In 2024, she was named Trainee Solicitor of the Year at the Yorkshire Legal Awards, recognising her commitment and achievements early in her career....