A multi-gate transistor having a plurality of sidewall contacts and a fabrication method that includes forming a semiconductor fin on a semiconductor substrate and etching a trench within the semiconductor fin, depositing an oxide material within the etched trench, and etching the oxide material to form a dummy oxide layer along exposed walls within the etched trench; and forming a spacer dielectric layer along vertical sidewalls of the dummy oxide layer. The method further includes removing exposed dummy oxide layer in a channel region in the semiconductor fin and beneath the spacer dielectric layer, forming a high-k material liner along sidewalls of the channel region in the semiconductor fin, forming a metal gate stack within the etched trench, and forming a plurality of sidewall contacts within the semiconductor fin along adjacent sidewalls of the dummy oxide layer.