Our pupils are on their feet
Congratulations to our seven pupils who have successfully entered their second six and are now accepting instructions in their own cases. Hasham Sarwar is...
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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 prosecuted and defended a range of matters in the Crown Court, including committals for sentence, bail applications, mentions and probation matters.
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
Sophie has prosecuted a range of matters in the Magistrates’ Court including:
- Coercive and controlling behaviour
- Harassment and stalking
- Sexual Assault
- Offences against the person including Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm
- Public Order offences
- Driving offences
- Drugs offences
- Theft Act offences.
Sophie has defended in a range of matters:
R v AC: Sophie secured an acquittal following a day-long harassment trial.
R v PH: Sophie represented a client for sentence for Criminal Damage over £5000 and secured a conditional discharge due to strong mitigating factors.
R v JA: Sophie secured a suspended sentence for a prolific shoplifter following mitigation.
Youth Court
In her first six months of pupillage, Sophie completed the ICCA Children in Conflict with the Law course, which focused on advocacy in the Youth Court and the skills needed to represent children.
Since then Sophie appeared on behalf of a youth defendant at a mention hearing.
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
