"She can communicate with clients in a very straightforward manner, and is very empathetic."
Chambers UK 2020
A busy and dedicated junior personal injury and clinical negligence barrister who combines legal rigour with sensitivity of approach.
Sophie has a wide experience of personal injury cases including employers' liability, occupiers' liability, highways, road traffic accidents, animals' act, product liability, industrial disease, fatal accidents, CICA appeals and CRU appeals.
Sophie is happy to work on a nil-uplift CFA basis in appropriate cases.
Sophie was approached early in her career to work as in-house Counsel at a leading South-West NHSLA contract holder firm on the strength of their experience of the quality of her drafting in clinical negligence claims.
She obtained significant experience and understanding of litigation in this field which sees her instructed in both fast track and multi track matters for both claimants and defendants. To view a sample of the range of clinical negligence cases Sophie was worked on, click here.
Sophie is happy to work on a nil-uplift CFA basis in appropriate cases.
Sophie is experienced in healthcare regulatory work. She regularly defends nurses before the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Her NMC work has included successfully defending a broad variety of allegations including assault by practitioners, medication errors, fatal overdoses, alcoholism, drug addiction, record keeping errors etc.
Sophie has experience representing both the interests of medical professionals and relatives of the deceased at inquests. Recently, she represented a nurse providing evidence as to the process she followed when placing a child with severe disabilities within a respite care setting at which he subsequently died. She also represents families whose relatives have died as a result of suspected clinical negligence. In addition, she has experience of advisory work leading up to the inquest including: evidence, disclosure, Article 2 issues, the need for a jury, expert evidence and funding in the inquest context.
Clinical Negligence
Praised for her representation of both claimants and defendants in surgical negligence cases. She also has substantial experience in Article 2 inquests. Further expertise lies in birth injuries as well as delay and failure to treat claims.
"She is bright, personable and utterly reliable. Clients love her empathetic nature and ability to grasp issues quickly. She is quick to respond to instructions, offers sensible and measured advice and is always on the end of the telephone if needed." "She is incredibly meticulous and always takes time to analyse cases methodically and thoroughly. She is extremely capable and very good with clients and experts alike, with a very sympathetic approach. Her apparently calm manner belies her ability in a fight."
Recent work: Advised on an Article 2 inquest concerning a death from gallstone-related pancreatitis following delay in providing surgical treatment.
Clinical Negligence
Leading Junior - Band 3
Praised for her representation of both claimants and defendants in surgical negligence cases. She is also adept at handling inquests.
Strengths: "She is absolutely meticulous, has forensic attention to detail and a lovely client manner. She's also very tactically able." "Always willing to pick up the phone and talk things through before sending papers over, very down to earth, good in conferences and always gives solid, practical advice." "Very precise and thorough - she takes time to understand complex issues."
Recent work: Defended a registered general nurse in a negligence case concerning allegations of failure to observe and monitor patients.
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
Leading juniors
‘She is very reasonable yet uncompromising in a fight.’
Clinical Negligence
Leading Junior (Up and coming Individual)
Acts for claimants and defendants, gaining significant recognition for her clinical negligence practice. In addition, she also offers expertise in personal injury and serves as counsel at inquests.
Strengths: "She's very precise and thorough. She takes time to understand complex issues and is good with clients and experts alike." "A safe pair of hands and detail-orientated." "Incredibly meticulous and very good in a fight."
Recent work: Successfully defended a nurse accused of inappropriate practice.
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
Leading juniors
'She is meticulous, reasonable and has an ability to fight for her client.'
Clinical Negligence
Leading Junior (Up and coming Individual)
A rising presence in the field of clinical negligence with additional expertise in personal injury work. She is instructed on behalf of both claimants and defendants.
Strengths: "She is very thorough and precise. She takes the time to understand complex issues and is good with clients and experts alike." "She is very pragmatic, and clients love her."
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
Leading juniors
'Extremely caring with vulnerable clients, but doesn't mind getting her hands dirty in a fight'.
Clinical Negligence
Leading Junior (Up and coming Individual)
Heavily focused on clinical negligence, with a small portion of her practice consisting of personal injury work. She principally acts on behalf of claimants. Expertise: "She is a rising star, extremely good with clients, and her written advice is excellent."
For further information and enquiries please contact:
Personal Injury: Wendy Shaw or Olive Kavanagh
Clinical Negligence: Wendy Shaw or Olive Kavanagh
Regulatory & Discipline: Wendy Shaw
