Samantha Jago
Partner
Family
Samantha is known for her pragmatic, solutions-focused approach and sound judgment. She gives clear, honest advice and helps clients understand their options and make informed decisions at what is often an extremely difficult time. She looks for constructive ways to resolve disputes wherever possible but is an experienced litigator who will take a robust approach when necessary.
Her financial work includes complex cases involving substantial assets, business interests, pensions, trusts and international connections. She also advises on pre- and post-nuptial agreements and cohabitation disputes. In children matters, she deals with difficult disputes about arrangements following separation, with a particular interest in understanding the needs of neurodivergent children and the challenges these can present for families and the family justice system.
Samantha is an all-issues trained family mediator and believes that separating couples should have the opportunity to find practical, workable solutions wherever possible. She recognises, however, that non-court dispute resolution is not appropriate for every family or every dispute.
Before joining DMH Stallard, Samantha was joint managing partner of a Guildford firm, where she helped establish its family team. She now leads the Guildford Family Team, which she established in 2019, combining her own extensive experience with a commitment to developing a supportive, collaborative team that puts clients first.
Samantha is recognised by The Legal 500, with feedback highlighting her pragmatic approach, compassion and ability to handle complex family law matters. She has been described as “an outstanding family lawyer” who is “pragmatic and also compassionate”.
In 2026, Samantha was shortlisted for Resolution Solicitor of the Year. Resolution is the national membership organisation for family law professionals committed to a constructive, non-confrontational approach to resolving family disputes. She was also shortlisted for Outstanding Lawyer of the Year at the Surrey Law Society Awards, which celebrate achievement and excellence across Surrey’s legal profession.
Samantha works primarily in our Guildford office and London office but also collaborates closely with colleagues in our other locations.
Find out more about Samantha’s approach to resolving family disputes in her video on mediation and non-court dispute resolution.
Samantha also features alongside Natasha Slabas and Rosemary Budden in the Family Law podcast on neurodivergence in children, discussing the challenges facing neurodivergent children in family law proceedings and the importance of understanding their individual needs.
Work highlights
FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT
Negotiating a financial settlement with assets worth over £11M and securing a successful outcome for the client.
ROUND TABLE MEETING
Engaging in a Round Table Meeting to negotiate a complex financial settlement with assets with a value of over £6M
DEED OF SEPARATION
Negotiating a settlement agreement and preparing a Deed of Separation for a husband who did not want to initiate divorce proceedings after separating from his wife, but did want to protect his assets which included a family home
PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT
Preparing a pre-nuptial agreement which dealt with four investment properties, children from a previous marriage and ongoing maintenance obligations from earlier divorce
PARENTING PLAN
Negotiating a complex parenting plan against a background of domestic abuse and substance misuse, ensuring the children’s needs were put first whilst securing the client’s safety
Recent videos
FAMILY LAW
Choosing the right path through divorce: Family law mediation and non-court dispute resolution (NCDR)
When a relationship breaks down, the prospect of resolving legal matters can feel overwhelming. Many people assume that court is the only option, but there are effective alternatives that can help you reach agreements in a more constructive and less adversarial way.
Recent videos
FAMILY LAW
The difference between matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets in divorce settlements
The division of assets on divorce is not always as clean cut as those negotiating a settlement might hope. The difference between matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets can play a part in who gets what, but how are they defined, and what does it mean?
Recent videos
FAMILY LAW
Divorce and inheritance - do I have to share it?
If you inherit assets just before going through divorce proceedings, or during the separation, will the inheritance be counted as an asset and, potentially, shared with your ex-spouse? Rachel Osgood and Samantha Jago provide a summary of when this might apply.
Recent videos
FAMILY LAW
Divorce decisions: Understanding tax implications
Recent videos
FAMILY LAW
Divorce decisions: Co-parenting with care for the wellbeing of children
Getting a divorce or separating from your partner can be extremely stressful, particularly if there are children involved. It can be especially difficult to know where to start when making arrangements for your children following the separation. It is vital, however, that parents retain autonomy when it comes to making decisions regarding their children.
Recent videos
FAMILY LAW
Choosing the right Family lawyer for you
DMH Stallard’s Family law experts, Natasha Slabas and Samantha Jago, talk to John Young about how we can help you if you are struggling with a legal issue and looking for a lawyer.
Recent videos
FAMILY LAW
No fault divorce, your questions answered
Divorce law is about to be overhauled and brought in line with many other international countries, simplifying the system so that blame does not have to be allocated and parties can rely on a simple statement from either one spouse, or both, that the marriage has broken down due to no fault of either party.
Recent articles
Podcasts
In this episode of Family Law in the UK we explore the impact of neurodivergence in children, and how the court system address their needs.
26/08/2026
Insights
Both married and unmarried parties are expected to consider non-court dispute resolution before or during court proceedings. This guide talks you through the options.
16/03/2026
Videos
Many people assume that court is the only option, but there are effective alternatives that can help you reach agreements in a more constructive and less adversarial way.
04/02/2026
Videos
The starting point might be 50/50, but how does this change when matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets come into play?
13/08/2025