Sophie Douglas (Partner and Head of Department)

Partner and Head of Department

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Sophie is an experienced public lawyer who became the Head of the Public Law team in September 2021. Sophie specialises in judicial review, large scale investigations and inquiries, and business and human rights, and was described by Chambers 2021 as an “impressive lawyer” and “contributor to public law”. She has “substantial expertise in major public inquiries and inquests” (Legal 500 UK 2019). She is “very sharp” (Legal 500 UK, 2017) and “grasps complex issues quickly and comprehensively” (Legal 500, 2015).

Judicial Review

Sophie acts for individuals, charities, companies and regulatory bodies in judicial review litigation. The core of many of Sophie’s cases touch on human rights, including claims for damages under the Human Rights Act 1998. Her work for both claimants and defendants allows her to provide a rigorous, yet sensitive and collaborative approach to litigation. Her client list includes, government agencies, regulatory bodies, charities, professional organisations and associations (notably The Law Society), doctors (in connection with COVID-19 and gender identity matters), senior police officers (former Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police), and individuals.

Public Inquiries, Inquests and Investigations

Sophie has considerable investigative and public inquiry experience representing individuals, institutions, charities, public figures and senior professionals in major public inquiries, inquests, IOPC investigations, and before Select Committees. Sophie represented a number of core participants in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (the Jay Inquiry), investigating the extent to which institutions have failed to protect children from sexual abuse. She is also advising an individual involved in the Under Cover Policing Inquiry. She acted for a number of families in the 7/7 Inquest following terrorist bombings in London, and advised a senior Financial Conduct Authority employee in the Davis Inquiry.

ESG, Business and Human Rights

Sophie leads the firm’s Business and Human Rights group. Sophie’s business and human rights practice includes representing The Corporate Responsibility (CORE) Coalition and the International Commission of Jurists to intervene in the Supreme Court case of Okpabi v Shell, a landmark case on corporate accountability brought by thousands of claimants in respect of pollution in the Niger Delta as well as acting for a group of claimants in a group class action alleging breaches of Article 2 and 3 of the ECHR. She is co-author of the “Report of research into how a regulator could monitor and enforce a proposed UK Human Rights Due Diligence law” commissioned by the CORE Coalition, Traidcraft Exchange and the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. Sophie has delivered a number of talks with the Home Office on the Modern Slavery Act 2015 with the aim of promoting this ground breaking legislation to the business community and public sector.