Sophie Phillips

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Year of call:

2018

Education:

2017 - Newcastle University Law LLB (Hons)

2018 - The University of Law, Leeds BPTC LLM Distinction (Very Competent)

Career:

2018 - Paralegal at Stewarts, Leeds

2020 - Pupil at Park Square Barristers, Leeds

2021 - Tenant at Park Square Barristers

Appointments:

2021 - Level 1 Prosecutor

Memberships:

Personal Injury Bar Association

2018 - 2019 - Association of Personal Injury Lawyers

Awards:

2017 - Patrick Dowdeswell Prize for contributions to research in Equity, Newcastle University

Sophie’s work involves a variety of contractual and commercial disputes. Her commercial and chancery practice has a particular emphasis on matters concerning real property.

Sophie represents clients from pre-action stages through to trial. She regularly advises on matters concerning boundary disputes including rights of way, trespass and nuisance. She is experienced in drafting applications for interim relief as well as pleadings and schedules of loss.

She accepts instructions from both claimants and defendants.

Sophie prides herself on her attention to detail which is particularly pertinent when dealing with often complex issues, which arise from commercial and chancery matters. She has experience of dealing with both lay clients and professional clients in what can sometimes be very challenging situations in order to achieve the best result.

Notable Cases

  • AF v A – acted on behalf of an accountancy firm and was successful in proceedings against an unincorporated association’s employee whereby they were found to be personally liable for the debts incurred by the association.
  • PP v C – awarded a final injunction in a neighbour boundary dispute concerning trespass and nuisance.

Sophie has a busy personal injury practice. She is known for her pragmatic approach, forensic case analysis and focussed submissions.

Sophie has particular experience in dealing with claims arising from Road Traffic incidents and accepts instructions to draft pleadings and advices on liability and/or quantum.

She is regularly instructed in credit hire matters, undertaking both claimant and defendant work. She has a good practical understanding of this area of law which is aided by her in-depth knowledge of the case law and ensuring she is up to date with all new developments.

She is available for instruction on a wide range of hearings, including but not limited to:

  • Small claims track hearings
  • Fast track trials
  • Disposal hearings
  • Case management conferences and directions hearings
  • Costs case management conferences
  • Interlocutory applications
  • Stage 3 hearings
  • Approval/investment hearings

Sophie is a CPS Grade 1 Prosecutor. She regularly appears in the Magistrates’ Court on behalf of the Prosecution and Defence and has experience of dealing with offences of violence, dishonesty, public order and road traffic offences. Sophie also appears in the Crown Court for a range of hearings including committals for sentence, bail applications and other interim hearings.

Sophie also has experience of dealing with sensitive matters in the Youth Court and prides herself on her client care and ability to deal with vulnerable witnesses. Recently, she represented a youth defendant in a multi-handed trial wherein joint enterprise was a live issue.

Sophie has undertaken secondment with and continues to be instructed by Humberside & South Yorkshire Police. This involves providing advice in relation to protective public orders such as Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and the issuance of Closure Orders.

Most recently she has been advising on the Covid-19 health regulations procedure used by the Police throughout lockdown.

Sophie also has experience in relation to Local Authority prosecutions dealing with varying matters such as noise abatement appeals.

Sophie has developed a successful housing practice and accepts instructions in matters across the spectrum of housing law including possession proceedings, disrepair and anti-social behaviour injunctions. She acts on behalf of Registered Social Landlords, Local Authorities, private landlords and tenants.

Areas of practice:

  • possession proceedings
  • anti-social behaviour
  • disrepair
  • homelessness
  • unlawful eviction
  • trespass
  • committals
  • injunctions

Notable Cases

Possession Proceedings

  • AHG v M – acted on behalf of a Registered Social Landlord at a final hearing for possession in respect of lengthy ASB.
  • YCC v Z – acted on behalf of a tenant at a final hearing for possession which concerned ASB allegations of drug dealing and ‘cuckooing’ at the property.
  • S v R – acted for the successful tenant in a legal aid matter; possession proceedings were dismissed and the landlord was ordered to pay the tenant’s inter-parties costs.
  • P v B – acted for the successful private landlord; case concerned complex issues relating to TOLATA and beneficial interest.
  • M v T – acted for the successful tenant; possession proceedings were dismissed with the tenant being successful on her counterclaim being awarded damages of over £30,000 for disrepair, harassment, breach of covenant and failure to secure tenancy deposit.

Committal proceedings

  • G v T – acted for the successful housing association; the defendant was found guilty of three breaches of an ASB injunction and was sentenced to 7 weeks and 5 days custody to be suspended until the end of the ASB injunction.
  • D v D – represented the successful housing association; the defendant was found guilty of two breaches of an interim injunction for ASB and was sentenced to immediate custody of 4 months.

ASB injunctions

  • P v L – acted for the successful housing association; the claimant was awarded an ASB injunction against the defendant to run for a period of 3 years. Costs were awarded in full.