Profile
Sophie is a personal injury specialist and also has a developing interest in public law, particularly Court of Protection work.
In respect of her personal injury practice, Sophie deals with all aspects of serious personal injury and has a particular interest in and experience of occupational disease. She is also a member of the Kings Chambers specialist pain team and has significant experience of coronial law.
Sophie is both robust in court and able to deal sensitively with her lay clients. She is careful and thorough in her approach to her cases and has considerable experience of managing expert evidence, both outside of the courtroom and in cross-examination. She is also experienced in conducting Joint Settlement Meetings.
She was second junior counsel for the Defendants in the Pleural Plaques litigation in both the Court of Appeal and House of Lords.
Year of Call: 2004
Areas of expertise
Sophie has a particular interest in Court of Protection matters. She accepts instructions from both local authorities and NHS Trusts as well as on behalf of P.
Sophie has appeared in numerous inquests, including inquests following a death at work and those arising from deaths in custody. She was instructed as second junior counsel (to Michael Rawlinson) on behalf of a number of the families and dependents of those killed Nimrod XV230 in respect of the coroner's inquest into their deaths.
Significant Reported Cases
The Nimrod Crash Inquest (Oxford Coroner's Court) (2008).
Sophie acts for both Claimants and Defendants in claims involving all types of asbestos disease (including mesothelioma and asbestos-induced lung cancer), upper limb disorders and noise induced hearing loss. She is regularly involved in more unusual disease claims, including occupational asthma, dermatitis, chemical exposures and carbon-monoxide poisoning.
Significant Reported Cases
Sophie was second junior counsel for the Defendants in the Pleural Plaques litigation in both the Court of Appeal and House of Lords.
Johnston v NEI International Combustion Ltd (2007) 3 WLR 876 (HL) ('The Pleural Plaques Test Litigation')
Sophie is a member of the Kings Chambers specialist pain team. She is experienced in dealing with cases involving chronic pain conditions, including Chronic Pain Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Somatoform Pain Disorders.
Sophie represents both Claimants and Defendants in all areas of serious injury litigation, including employers’ and public liability, road traffic accidents (including MIB claims), fatal accidents, claims arising from military service and Limitation Act disputes.
Significant Reported Cases
Johnston v NEI International Combustion Ltd (2007) 3 WLR 876 (HL) ('The Pleural Plaques Test Litigation')
Memberships
Personal Injuries Bar Association (PIBA)
Lincoln's Inn
Northern and North Eastern Circuit
Qualifications
University: Newcastle
Degree: BA (Joint Honours) English Language and Literature (first class)
Called: 2004 (Lincoln's Inn)
Scholarships: Hardwicke and Denning Scholarships
Manchester
36 Young Street, Manchester, M3 3FT
DX: 718188 MCH 3
Direct Dial: 0161 832 9082
Leeds
5 Park Square, Leeds, LS1 2NE
DX: 713113 LEEDS PARK SQ
Direct Dial: 0113 242 1123
Birmingham
Embassy House, 60 Church Street,
Birmingham, B3 2DJ
DX: 13023 BIRMINGHAM
Direct Dial: 0121 200 3570
