Sophie Gray

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Sophie has a busy, ever growing practice in a wide variety of areas of law. Sophie accepts instructions in civil matters, crime and general family law.

Sophie is regularly instructed by the Home Office in civil forfeiture and condemnation proceedings in Kent
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Sophie began her legal career with Becket Chambers in September 2013 as she undertook pupillage, and, following successful completion, accepted tenancy with Chambers. She now has a busy, ever-growing practice in a wide variety of areas of law. Sophie accepts instructions in civil matters, private children law proceedings and matrimonial matters.

Within family proceedings, Sophie has an increasing reputation for her ability to build relationships with clients and ensure they feel comfortable during what can often be quite daunting proceedings. As part of her day-to-day practice, she undertakes work at all stages of the legal process, from first hearing dispute resolution appointments through to final hearings.

As part of Sophie’s established practice, she also accepts instructions in a wide variety of civil cases at all stages of proceedings, with a particular interest in personal injury. She is regularly instructed in small and fast-track claims. Sophie is experienced in undertaking work either for Claimants or Defendants and has conducted countless trials on both liability and quantum.

Sophie often deals with situations where there has been a lengthy history of dispute. She is able to help her clients to assess their case in a purely analytical manner to ensure the matter is dealt with to be as economically beneficially as possible.

Sophie is comfortable working with extensive amounts of information and processing such information so it can be presented in a way that can be understood within the context of the proceedings.

Sophie is a volunteer with the Citizens Advice Bureau in Whitstable and Canterbury, and volunteers with Kent Law Clinic as a legal advisor.

Children - Private Law (CAP)

Sophie is regularly instructed in private law proceedings by mothers and fathers. The basis of all private law proceedings is formed by parents who, after separation, are unable to agree how their children should be cared for. This can involve a wide variety of disagreements including disputes over a child’s surname, where a child should attend school, what level of contact a child should have with each parent and ultimately where a child should live.

Sophie is regularly instructed at the early stages of private law proceedings and remains with cases until the completion of matters at a final hearing.

Within private law proceedings, there is scope for negotiations between parties. Sophie is also confident in conducting such negotiations, and is often able to propose alternative ways forward to ensure all parties involved are happy with the outcome of proceedings.

Sophie Gray's Children - Private Law (CAP) Cases

Opposing a relocation

Sophie was recently instructed by a Father in internal-relocation proceedings. The Mother of the children hoped to move away from the local area and relocate with her children several hours’ journey away, with a view to being closer to the maternal side of the family and her new partner. This proposed move was opposed by … Continue reading →

Preventing a Father from removing a child from a Mother

Sophie represented a Mother involved in private child proceedings. The applicant Father sought a child arrangements order that the child live with him, and had raised a number of concerns against the Mother including emotional neglect and implacable hostility. He also raised a physical risk posed by the Mother’s ex-partner due to previous domestic violence … Continue reading →

Supporting a father as primary carer

Sophie is regularly instructed by both mothers and fathers for a variety of applications. On this occasion, Sophie faced an unusual situation where the applicant father had given up work and become primary carer to his two young children. Following the breakdown of his relationship with the mother of the children, the father wanted to … Continue reading →

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Articles by Sophie Gray

Prohibited Steps Order- when breaches don’t always lead to action

Added in Children - Private Law (CAP) by Sophie Gray

Prohibited Steps Orders are often regarded as a protective means available to a parent who has concerns about another party involved with their child. Whether the issue be the removal of a child from the jurisdiction or simply an order preventing an individual from undertaking a certain act, perhaps naively, Prohibited Steps Orders are used … Continue reading →

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Sophie Gray's Testimonials for Children - Private Law (CAP)

“I just want to say Sophie was absolutely amazing yesterday……..we got the result that we wanted and we will continue to use her in the further cases that we have coming up…..thanks for all you done”

Client instructing Sophie Gray through Solicitors – April 23

Children – Private Law (CAP)

Sophie Gray

“In terms of feedback, Sophie was fantastic on this matter and achieved a wonderful result.

There were a few complex issues with this case in particular with the client. Sophie dealt with these fantastically and was very clear to the client that changes were required by them. Sophie approached the issues professionally and gained the client’s trust and respect.

A fantastic overall approach.

I would have no hesitation in instruction Sophie again.”

Ms K from Solicitors Instructing Sophie Gray – December 19

Children – Private Law (CAP)

Sophie Gray

“Client has asked me to convey his sincere thanks to Sophie for representing him at Court and for dealing with him and the matter so sensitively”

Ms S from Solicitors Instructing Sophie Gray – May 19

Children – Private Law (CAP)

Sophie Gray

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Divorce & Matrimonial Finance

Sophie is regularly instructed to deal with financial provision cases following divorce, and acts at all stages of proceedings from FDA through to FDR and final hearings. She has experience of applications for interim remedies as well as cases involving the variation of a final order.

Sophie takes a rigorous approach to assessing and assimilating complex facts and figures in order to prepare each case.

She offers an objective view on matters and works particularly well with vulnerable clients such as those with mental health difficulties or who have suffered domestic violence. Sophie prides herself on her client care and her ability to build a relationship with those she is representing.

Sophie Gray's Divorce & Matrimonial Finance Cases

Obtaining a major share of matrimonial home and pension sharing order

Sophie acted for a Wife in financial proceedings following a long marriage. There were three adult children of the marriage, all of whom continued to be semi-reliant upon the Wife. During the course of proceedings, the Husband suffered with significant mental health difficulties which substantially impacted upon not only his income but also his mortgage … Continue reading →

Securing a fair settlement after a long marriage

Sophie acted for a wife in her application for financial provision following a long marriage of twenty-five years. The parties had accumulated substantial equity in a mortgage-free family home and both had healthy pension provisions. The matter was complicated by sizeable inheritance that was received by the husband near the end of the parties’ marriage. … Continue reading →

Ensuring a fair settlement for Wife to enable financial independence

Sophie acted for a wife in financial proceedings following a long marriage of nearly thirty years. The wife had remained living in the family home but sought a settlement that would enable her to purchase a property of her own. The wife was alleging intentional depletion of funds by the husband in respect of inheritance … Continue reading →

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Articles by Sophie Gray

Pre-nuptial agreements- the importance of getting it right

Added in Divorce & Matrimonial Finance by Sophie Gray

The recent case of HD v WB [2023] EWFC 2 explores the issue of pre-nuptial agreements and what weight should be attributed to them when also considering parties’ needs. Both husband and wife were aged forty-six and had initially began their relationship in 1996. Whilst the relationship had ended after a few years, they again … Continue reading →

Having the last word in financial remedies

Added in Divorce & Matrimonial Finance by Sophie Gray

The recent case of AR v ML [2019] EWFC 56 is a cautionary tale against adducing further evidence at a late stage in an attempt to have the last say within financial remedy proceedings. This case centred around the wife’s application for financial remedy arising out of her marriage to the husband. The matter proceeded to a … Continue reading →

Tattersall v Tattersall – periodical payments, enforcement before variation?

Added in Divorce & Matrimonial Finance by Sophie Gray

This case involved two parties who had married in 2000 and subsequently separated in 2010. The marriage produced one child who continued to reside with the wife. On 10th December 2012, a final financial remedy order was made dividing the capital unequally in the wife’s favour in order to enable her to purchase accommodation for … Continue reading →

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Sophie Gray's Testimonials for Divorce & Matrimonial Finance

“Sophie was so amazing yesterday, I was in awe of her brilliance!!! She slayed the other side, I felt like I was in the best hands possible”.

Client instructing Sophie Gray through Solicitors – September 22

Divorce & Matrimonial Finance

Sophie Gray

Both Mrs H and I are very happy with the service provided by Miss Sophie Gray. We find her to be pleasant and helpful and very thorough.

Mrs H from Solicitors instructing Sophie Gray – March 2021

Divorce & Matrimonial Finance

Sophie Gray

“I am very happy with Sophie Gray. She is hardworking and gets good results. The clients like her and she is excellent with them. She shows empathy and is robust when necessary. She goes the extra mile and is always willing to spend time talking cases through with me. She is my first choice counsel at your chambers.”

Miss B from solicitors instructing Sophie Gray – May 19

Divorce & Matrimonial Finance

Sophie Gray

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Personal Injury

Sophie’s personal injury practice covers a wide range of areas and she acts at all stages in cases ranging from small claims to multitrack proceedings.

As well as advocacy, Sophie will provide written advice and pleadings. Her thoroughness and attention to detail helps her clients build confidence before court appearances. She has a reputation for being supportive of the needs of traumatised clients throughout the process, whilst maintaining a pragmatic approach, and is a strong advocate in court.

Sophie Gray's Personal Injury Cases

Assisting negotiations in a damages case for an injured child

Sophie prepared advice in respect of a child claimant involved in an accident at school. The claim brought was one of negligence, and centred on the school’s failure to prevent access to play equipment during poor weather. The child had sustained serious ankle injuries with on-going symptoms some months after the accident. The balanced advice … Continue reading →

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Sophie Gray's Testimonials for Personal Injury

“…Our client also wished us to express her thanks on her behalf to you for such a successful outcome…”

Ms V from a firm of Solicitors instructing Sophie Gray – November 15

Personal Injury

Sophie Gray

“….Sophie, great result. Thanks for your assistance….”

Mr B from a firm of solicitors instructing Sophie Gray – July 15

Personal Injury

Sophie Gray

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