She advises organisations, senior executives, directors and managers on a broad range of health and safety, environmental and regulatory matters, with particular expertise in investigations, enforcement action, prosecutions, inquests and crisis response.
Sophie regularly supports clients following serious and high-profile incidents, advising from the immediate aftermath through to conclusion of regulatory investigations, inquests and criminal proceedings. She has significant experience acting in matters involving multiple fatalities, corporate manslaughter investigations and complex interactions with multiple regulators. Her experience includes investigations conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Office of Rail and Road (ORR), Environment Agency (EA), Drinking Water Inspectorate, Care Quality Commission, Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) and local authorities.
As a solicitor advocate, Sophie has represented both corporate entities and individuals throughout the investigation and court process, advising on strategic response, enforcement action, interviews under caution, prosecution risk and sentencing. She is also highly experienced in coronial proceedings, regularly representing clients at inquests involving workplace fatalities, occupational health issues and matters attracting significant public and regulatory scrutiny.
In addition to her health and safety practice, Sophie advises on contentious environmental matters. She also supports clients on occupational health issues, helping organisations manage legal and regulatory risks arising from work-related illness and long-term health conditions.
Sophie is known for delivering pragmatic, commercially focused advice and regularly assists clients with regulatory compliance, governance and assurance reviews, not only reviewing systems but also assisting clients with implementation. She works closely with organisations to assess compliance frameworks, to identify areas of risk and develop practical solutions to strengthen operational resilience and reduce enforcement exposure.
Latest Insights
- legal updatesLegal alert for schools: Benedict’s Law - Proposed legislation for management of allergies in schools
- legal updatesSentencing the elephant: New guidance, same grey area for VLOs
- legal updatesLegal alert for schools: HSE’s intention to carry out further inspections of schools to assess the management of asbestos
- crisis response following fatalities and major incidents
- supporting clients involved in investigations concerning allegations of corporate manslaughter, health and safety offences and other serious regulatory offences
- representing numerous education institutions following student deaths and supporting clients through subsequent investigations, inquests and regulatory scrutiny
- advising organisations on fire safety and building safety compliance
- advising on and challenging enforcement notices, including developing appeal strategies supported by specialist technical experts
- preparing organisations and senior individuals for sentencing hearings in health and safety prosecutions
- conducting health and safety, environmental and regulatory compliance reviews across a range of sectors
- Sophie is recognised by The Legal 500 as a Key Lawyer in the health and safety field. She is a regular contributor to health and safety publications and industry commentary, with articles published in leading sector magazines and academic journals