Sophia handles a wide variety of private client matters and, following a secondment in the Channel Islands, has experience in offshore work. She has significant experience of trusts cases, including variations, anonymity in trust applications, claims against trustees such as removal claims and concerning the validity of trustee actions in the administration of trusts, invalid appointments of trustees, indemnities, changes of proper law and amendments.

She is regularly instructed in cases involving wills and estates. Her experience includes cases regarding testamentary capacity, knowledge and approval, undue influence, forgery, formal validity, construction and rectification of wills, foreign property, Inheritance Act 1975 claims, approval of settlements and will variations.

Her recent work includes:

• MN v OP (2018-2019) – Representing the appellant (led by Robert Pearce QC) in an appeal to the Court of Appeal of a first instance decision granting a variation of a settlement but refusing an anonymity order
• Re Forged Will (2018-2019) – Acting for the defendants in a probate claim regarding issues of due execution, forgery, capacity and knowledge and approval.
• Stephens v Heng & Ors (2018) – Representing a minor and unborns in a construction and rectification claim to include the deceased’s sisters as beneficiaries under a will and include the deceased’s step-children in the definition of the term “issue”
• Sinden v Sinden (2018) – Acting for the defendants to an Inheritance Act 1975 claim brought by their sibling. Adult child claim in respect of a high-value estate
• Jabin v Iqbal (2016) – Acting for the claimant in a three-day trial of a TOLATA and 1975 Act claim brought by an adult daughter, with issues including interests in foreign property in Pakistan
• Mahoney v Andrews (2015) – Representing the claimant in this probate claim raising issues of knowledge and approval and domicile where the deceased lived in France and, upon settlement, appearing at the application for approval of the settlement on behalf of a minor involving a will variation
• Re Smith (Deceased) [2014] EWHC 3926 (Ch) – Assisting during pupillage with the trial of a presumed undue influence case which considered the test for capacity to make an inter vivos gift
• Re Walker Deceased [2014] EWHC 71 – Assisting during pupillage with a probate case concerning testamentary capacity and knowledge and approval in circumstances where the deceased had suffered a fatal brain tumour and psychosis, and establishing that the correct test for testamentary capacity is the test set out in Banks v Goodfellow
• Loring v The Woodland Trust [2013] EWHC 4400 (Ch) and [2014] EWCA Civ 1314 – Assisting during pupillage with the trial and appeal of a will construction claim addressing the impact of section 8A of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984 on the passing of nil rate bands under a will.

Sophia has extensive experience in insolvency and company law disputes, including claims regarding insolvent estates, bankruptcy, company and partnership insolvency and shareholder disputes.

Her recent work includes:

• Durkan v Patel [2018] EWHC 3231 (Ch) – Acting for the trustee in bankruptcy in an application to impugn transactions under sections 423, 339 and 284 of the Insolvency Act 1986
• Wastell v Bailey-Flitter (2018) – Acting for the respondents in an unfair prejudice petition between shareholders and directors of a prep school
• Re Renwick Haddow (2016-2018) – Acting for the supervisor of an IVA to obtain a bankruptcy order in respect of this high profile individual, then later appearing for the trustee in bankruptcy in obtaining a suspension of discharge and in proceedings brought by the FCA against the bankrupt
• In the Matter of Mekobia Ltd (2015 – 2016) – Representing the petitioning creditor in successfully opposing an application by the company for an injunction restraining advertisement of a winding up petition ([2015] EWHC 1380 (Ch)) and obtaining a winding up order, before successfully opposing the company’s appeal of the winding up order
• Hurd v TPL Holdings [2014] All ER (D) 266 – Assisting during pupillage with defending an application to strike out a section 994 petition.

Sophia has a busy commercial practice and is instructed in a variety of disputes including claims involving the construction and breach of contracts, bonds and guarantees.

Her recent cases include:

• Guri v Krasniqi and Neziraj (2016) – Representing the defendants in successfully striking out the claimant’s breach of contract claim in relation to the sale of a business during a fast-track trial and then successfully opposing the appeal
• Mekobia Ltd v Brandmovers Ltd [2015] EWHC 969 (Ch) – Successfully opposing an appeal in a multi-million pound breach of contract claim concerning the provision of website development services
• Re an Investment Dispute (2015) – Acting for the claimant in a high value claim against an investment company by its clients in relation to beneficial interest in certain investments
• Re a Football Club (2015) – Defending a football club in a contractual claim in relation to coaching services
• Re an Airline (2014) – Acting for an airline in a breach of contract claim concerning issues under UCTA and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.

Sophia has developed an expertise in professional liability claims arising in the private client sector, where she has considerable expertise in trusts, wills and estates.

Her recent cases include:

• Re Negligence in Estate Administration (2018) – Representing the claimant/executor in a claim against solicitors for negligent advice in the administration of an estate
• Re Solicitor’s Negligence in Probate Claim (2016) – Acting for the claimant in a claim against a solicitor in respect of representation in probate proceedings
• Re a Will (2015) – Advising on a claim against a will drafter in relation to drafting a will.

Sophia has experience in a wide range of property law matters, including claims under TOLATA, possession actions against residential and business tenants, licensees and mortgage possession actions.

Sophia developed experience of offshore litigation and trust disputes whilst working at leading firms in the Channel Islands.

Sophia worked on secondment as a Private Client and Trusts Consultant for Appleby in Guernsey (April – September 2015). Whilst at Appleby, Sophia:

• Drafted trusts, foundations and a broad range of supplemental trust instruments including instruments of termination, release, indemnities, appointments, resignations, removals, changes of proper law, amendments and confirmations
• Advised trustees on the administration of trusts and provided advice on other trust related matters
• Conducted an in-depth legal review for a client trust company, which consisted of analysing trust documents, advising on liability and practical remedial steps the trustee could take to resolve the issues.

Sophia worked with the Ogier Litigation Team in Jersey on an extensive disclosure exercise in a complex trust dispute (August – September 2014).

• Lincoln’s Inn Cassel Scholarship
• Lincoln’s Inn Hardwicke Award
• 2013: Bar Professional Training Course (City Law School)
• 2012: Harvard Law School – LLM

2011: Durham University – LLB (First Class Honours)

Prior to joining Chambers, Sophia taught Contract Law to undergraduate law students at Kings College London.

• Chancery Bar Association; COMBAR.

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