Sophie is a Court of Protection practitioner who is regularly instructed on behalf of protected parties (including by the Official Solicitor) and also represents local authorities, NHS bodies, Clinical Commissioning Groups, and family members.

Sophie acts in a wide range Court of Protection matters including health and welfare, property and affairs and serious medical treatment, as well as cases involving associated human rights’ breaches. Sophie has also advised in cases relating to safeguarding vulnerable adults under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court.

Sophie sits as a Recorder in the Family Division assigned to the Northern Circuit and as a Fee Paid Judge in the Mental Health Tribunal.

Recent reported cases:

KZ v Oldham MBC [2024] EWCOP 53 (fluctuating capacity: anticipatory declarations)

A Local Authority v PG &Ors [2023] EWCOP 9 (fluctuating capacity: longitudinal approach)

Recommendations

Chambers UK 2025

“Sophie is a very safe pair of hands.”

Legal 500 2024 & Legal 500 2025

Court of Protection and Community Care: Northern Circuit Leading Junior

Expertise

Sophie acts in a wide range Court of Protection matters including health and welfare, property and affairs, and serious medical treatment, as well as associated civil and Human Rights Act claims. Sophie has also advised in cases relating to safeguarding vulnerable adults under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court. She is regularly instructed on behalf of protected parties (including by the Official Solicitor) , as well as acting for local authorities, NHS bodies, Clinical Commissioning Groups and family members.

Sophie has recently acted in and advised on cases involving issues including:

  • Complex capacity issues, including fluctuating capacity and anticipatory declarations/authorisations
  • Hospital discharge and care and support arrangements of vulnerable young people.
  • Welfare issues under s21A and s16 MCA.
  • The interface between the Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act.
  • Joinder, disclosure and closed-material proceeding
  • Ordinary residence and related funding disputes.
  • Contested capacity issues.
  • Alleged financial abuse and applications to revoke Lasting Powers of Attorney;
  • Contested deputyship applications

Sophie’s civil litigation practice means that she has extensive experience of contested final hearings and cross-examination of experts and is also well-placed to advise on cases arising from or overlapping with claims for serious personal injury.

Sophie sits as a fee-paid Judge in the Mental Health Tribunal and has a particular interest in cases with interlinked Mental Capacity Act and Mental health Act issues. She has acted in applications involving the displacement of Nearest Relatives and in difficult cases involving conditional discharges from hospital orders and associated deprivations of liberty.

Notable Court of Protection & Mental Health cases


KK v Leeds City Council [2020] EWCOP 64


KZ v Oldham MBC [2024] EWCOP 53 (fluctuating capacity: anticipatory declarations)


A Local Authority v PG &Ors [2023] EWCOP 9 (fluctuating capacity: longitudinal approach)

Related News

"Sophie is a very safe pair of hands."

Chambers UK 2025

  • Recorder in the Family Division assigned to the Northern Circuit
  • Fee Paid Judge in the Mental Health Tribunal

Chambers UK 2025

“Sophie is a very safe pair of hands.”

Legal 500 2024 & Legal 500 2025

Court of Protection and Community Care: Northern Circuit Leading Junior

University: Newcastle

Degree: BA (Joint Honours) English Language and Literature (first class)

Called: 2004 (Lincoln’s Inn)

Scholarships: Hardwicke and Denning Scholarships

  • Court of Protection Practitioners Association (CoPPA)
  • Personal Injuries Bar Association (PIBA)
  • Lincoln’s Inn
  • Northern and North Eastern Circuit

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