2 Dr Johnson’s Buildings

Sophia accepts instructions in all areas of criminal law, and within family in private and public children cases.

Profile

Called to the Bar in 2015

Sophia is a barrister specialising in family and criminal law.

Sophia accepts instructions in all areas of criminal law, and within family in private and public children cases. Sophia also accepts instructions in related regulatory and education work.

Sophia’s practice as a pupil was predominately crime based and she regularly appeared as a trial advocate in the magistrates, youth and crown courts. Sophia has also dealt with a number of appeals against conviction and sentence at the crown court. Sophia continues to appear on behalf of both the prosecution and defence and is a level 2 CPS approved advocate. Sophia has dealt with a wide variety of criminal offences, from conspiracies and serious violence, to drugs, trafficking and domestic abuse.

Sophia’s practice in family largely overlaps with her experience as a junior barrister in crime. She has a varied practice focusing on cases concerning children and represents local authorities, parents, grandparents and children. She has experience in cases involving non-accidental injuries, domestic abuse, substance misuse (including FDAC), and where children are beyond parental control. Sophia has recent experience in cases concerning deprivation of liberty and secure accommodation orders.

Sophia regularly deals with cases involving non-molestation orders and other protective orders in both the family and criminal courts.

Sophia undertook a three-month secondment at Medway Council in 2018, working within the education and child protection legal teams. During this time, her work focused on children with Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs). Sophia continues to accept instructions on education matters, including at the SEND tribunal.

Cases of Note Re E and others [2023] Led in the prosecution of an attempted murder involving 5 defendants in a gang related shooting in Tottenham Re E [2022] Represented the local authority for a fact-finding concerning non-accidental injuries of a non-verbal child for which findings were made, and both parents were found to be within the pool of perpetrators. The case involved parental accounts of supernatural incidences and the analysis of expert medical evidence. Re B [2022] Represented the local authority throughout proceedings, that concluded following a contested final hearing with care and placement orders. There had been relevant previous proceedings, continued substance misuse, inconsistent engagement with professionals and the case necessitated the use of interpreters. Re L [2022] Represented a grandparent on an application for a special guardianship order, for which there was a dispute over the financial support to be provided by the local authority. R v B & H & K [2021] Led in a case concerning conspiracy to burgle and a high number of car thefts. The case involved analysis of ANPR and cell site data. All defendants eventually pleaded guilty and received lengthy custodial sentences Re A [2021] Represented the local authority throughout proceedings in a case concerning a deprivation of liberty order and a lack of a suitable secure placement Re P [2021] Represented a parent, who was the victim of significant, repeated, domestic abuse, in private children act proceedings. Findings of controlling and coercive behaviour were made. A final order was made at the end of the proceedings with no contact being awarded to the abuser. R v RM [2020] Represented a vulnerable defendant in a trial on issue (actus reus hearing). The case involved complexities around the extension of interim hospital orders and the question to be put to the jury concerning an offence of specific intent. Re M [2020] Represented a parent at a fact-finding within private proceedings seeking findings of domestic abuse in a case for which no evidence had been offered by the CPS in concurrent criminal proceedings. The court made all the findings sought, including regarding an incident that resulted in a serious life-changing injury. Re F [2020] Represented a parent at a contested interim care order hearing where there was a 20-year history of neglect. The court determined that removal was not necessary and that the matters relied upon by the local authority did not warrant separation. Re B [2019] Represented a local authority seeking findings of neglect and physical abuse of a child against a parent and step-parent, for which there was an agreed care plan for the child to be placed with family in Italy. 17 of the 20 findings sought were made by the court. R v LK [2019] Successful dismissal application of all charges including burglary, theft and conspiracy to conceal criminal property. R v R [2018] Represented the first defendant in a trial involving GBH under joint enterprise, vulnerable witnesses and three defendants. The case involved an allegation that a group of youths had set upon another young person, resulting in serious injuries including a fractured eye socket. The first defendant was the only defendant to be acquitted. R v KB [2017] Represented a defendant charged with assisting unlawful immigration for trial and sentence. Despite conviction after trial, the defendant was sentence to a custodial sentence of just over 2 years Testimonial

“From the minute I met Sophia, she rapidly put me at ease, explained everything to me carefully and professionally. Most importantly, I had been waiting for that day for over a year and in the short time we had she really listened to me , answered my questions, with a kind and professional manner and enabled me to face the witness box. Sophia’s work in court that day, ensuring the conviction was held has radically changed my life. Although it will take some time to move on from this; I have already talked to my gp about reducing my anxiety medicine and thanks to Sophia’s work it will enable me to get on with my life. Lastly, it was really clear that Sophia had read everything thoroughly and I felt she really knew the case.”

Victim in an appeal against conviction at the Crown Court

“Miss Stapleton is clearly very evidenced focussed, which helps to get to the heart of the issue. She does so whilst displaying real empathy and compassion.”

Instructing solicitor

“From the feedback from my clients, Sophia is a very capable barrister. She is thorough in her work and more importantly, she gets the results wanted.”

Instructing solicitor

BSc Legal Studies with Biosciences, First Class BPTC, Very Competent CPS Level 2 Criminal Bar Association Family Law Bar Association Hubert Greenland Scholarship, Lincoln's Inn ICLR Pupillage Award 2016 The Times Advocacy Award, Second Place Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, Canterbury Christ Church University Sir Thomas More Bursary, Lincoln's Inn