Samantha Jago is a Partner and Group Head of the Guildford Family Team at DMH Stallard, with over 20 years’ experience in family law. She advises on divorce and separation, complex financial remedy proceedings, high-value financial settlements, business and trust assets, international family matters and disputes involving children.

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.

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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


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Recent articles

Podcasts

Neurodivergence in children

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

Resolving financial matters after separation

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

Choosing the right path through divorce

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

What is the difference between matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets

The starting point might be 50/50, but how does this change when matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets come into play?

13/08/2025

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