Inquests & Inquiries
Sophia undertakes inquest work, especially where there is a mental health aspect of the case. She is currently instructed on an article 2 inquest arising out of a suicide where wide ranging criticism has been made of multiple public bodies.
Sophia has detailed knowledge of the Mental Health Act and the responsibilities on public authorities arising under the Act, which are often key issues in inquests involving psychiatric patients.
Before working at the Official Solicitor’s office, Sophia worked as an advisory lawyer at Hampshire County Council, which has given her a personal understanding of how public authorities work and some of the difficulties they face in court proceedings. She dealt with all aspects of community care and mental health law and enjoyed the breadth of practice. She was also responsible for providing advice on all aspects of data protection and freedom of information law to all departments within the authority.
In all her work, Sophia combines an enthusiasm for getting down to the bottom of a case and researching intricate points of law with a pragmatic awareness of what different clients really want to achieve. She considers that while fighting the client’s corner, it is good to look at other angles, including the Court’s, in order to give the best advice.