Foundry Chambers

Foundry Chambers

YEAR OF CALL 2013

Prosecution and defence.

Sophie has developed a specialist criminal practice, both defending and prosecuting, in a full range of serious and complex cases. She accepts instructions in all areas of Chambers’ work, with a particular emphasis on document heavy cases and matters involving complex legal argument.

Criminal Defence & Prosecution

Sophie has developed an established practice across a full spectrum of criminal offences, as both a led junior and junior alone.

Sophie places great emphasis on client care and has extensive experience working with young and vulnerable people, in particular those with learning difficulties and mental health problems. She has represented clients with Asperger’s syndrome, Schizophrenia and has experience of working with sign language interpreters and intermediaries. She has experience of a full range of witness handling involving young and vulnerable people, including the cross-examination of child witnesses and victims, and has completed the Vulnerable Witness Training programme.

Sophie enjoys cases which involve the use of expert evidence. She is comfortable with presenting and challenging such evidence including computer, DNA, fingerprint cell site, ANPR and complex medical evidence. Sophie has successfully made submissions of no case to answer, assisted by deploying expert evidence in a case involving the alleged attempted transmission of HIV. Sophie is experienced in making a range of successful legal arguments including in relation to admissibility of evidence, dismissal of charges, availability of defences and interpretation of statutes.

Sophie has a particular interest in Appellate work. She has successfully appeared in the Court of Appeal twice as a junior alone, where she was commended for her “forcefully written” and “concisely developed” oral submissions. She has also accurately advised the CPS in an unduly lenient sentence matter. Sophie advises clients on appeals against conviction and sentence, in matters where she was not trial counsel under the advice and assistance scheme.

Fraud & Financial Regulation

Sophie has both defended and prosecuted in matters involving fraud and money laundering (see example cases below).

Sophie has recently assisted the Serious Fraud Office as LPP counsel in relation to a large and complex international fraud investigation. She previously assisted the CPS and Thames Valley Police with a disclosure review in relation to a £250 million fraudulent trading, corruption and money laundering case.

Asset Recovery, Restraint and Confiscation Sophie has experience of defending in confiscation proceedings. She also has experience representing clients in POCA enforcement proceedings and in applications to vary confiscation orders under the inadequacy provisions. She recently represented a defendant in a confiscation matter involving hidden assets worth more than £250,000. Tax Litigation

Sophie regularly appears in the First Tier Tax Tribunal on behalf of HMRC and the Home Office in relation to restoration appeals. Sophie provides written advice and drafts Statements of Case in relation to these matters. Sophie has also appeared on behalf of the Home Office, HMRC and the NCA in cash forfeiture and condemnation proceedings in both the Magistrates and Crown Courts. She has notably advised in complex matters involving the seizure of extended diesel, nitrous oxide and alcohol taken out of duty suspension (liability worth in excess of £2 million).

Sophie was invited to speak to Home Office staff in a talk relating to the law and procedure in complex condemnation proceedings.

Appointments

CPS Panel Level 3 SFO Disclosure Panel

Memberships

Young Fraud Lawyers Association Young Legal Aid Lawyers Criminal Bar Association Women in Criminal Law Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

The University of Law, London: BPTC – Very Competent Kings College London: LLM – Distinction Newcastle University: LLB – 2.1 (Hons)