Clerking team

Jack Paxton

Lead Criminal Clerk

Jessica Bull

Junior Criminal Clerk

Sophie is undertaking a criminal pupillage under the supervision of Nicola Quinney.

Prior to starting pupillage, Sophie was a Prison Law Advocate in a Criminal Defence and Prison Law firm. Sophie represented prisoners throughout England and Wales on a variety of matters including Parole Board hearings and Prisoner security categorisations and adjudications.

Within this role, she cross examined expert witnesses, mitigated for her clients in prison adjudications and drafted written representations for the parole board. She regularly worked with vulnerable clients, tailoring her advice to specific situations.

Prior to this, she was a County Court Advocate, where she attended court on a range of matters, from Small Claims trials to possession hearings.

Crown Court & appeals

Sophie has shadowed her pupil supervisor on a range of matters in the Crown Court, including RASSO, arson and GBH trials. Sophie has also seen sentencings, PTPHs mentions, bail applications and probation breaches. With guidance from her pupil supervisor, Sophie has developed a solid foundation and knowledge of how to conduct cases.

Throughout her first six, Sophie has regularly drafted documents including openings for trial, advices, applications and sentencing notes. She has consistently prepared and practiced advocacy for each of her supervisor’s cases, including cross examination, closing speeches, bail applications, probation breaches and sentencings.

Magistrates Court

Whilst shadowing in the Magistrates’, Sophie has seen a range of prosecution and defence work and a variety of trials including coercive and controlling behaviour, driving under the influence of drugs, assault on an emergency worker, theft, possession of a bladed article and animal cruelty. Sophie has also seen probation breaches, sentences and bail applications.

Education

  • Nottingham Law School: Barrister’s Training Course (2023)
  • Nottingham Law School: LLM (2024)
  • Nottingham Law School: LLB Law (2022)

Scholarships and prizes

  • Richard Bagley Prize for Outstanding Achievement in a Pro Bono Activity (2023)
  • Nottingham Law School’s Professional Courses Scholarship for Academic Excellence (2022)

Memberships

  • The Inner Temple