Sophie Marquand

Before coming to the Bar, Sophie held an associate-equivalent role at a leading US law firm for two years. She worked on high value, complex commercial disputes including energy sector, shareholder, shipping and product liability matters.

Since joining Chambers, Sophie has built on her commercial background and developed expertise in insolvency and bankruptcy matters. Sophie is a member of R3 (Association of Business Recovery Professionals). Her recent work has included:

• Bankruptcy and Insolvency proceedings:
  – Sophie regularly appears in both the County Court and the High Court. Her work includes matters relating to winding up petitions and wider insolvency proceedings (such as interim applications), statutory demands and bankruptcy petitions.
  – Sophie also maintains an advisory practice, recently advising on matters where there were issues of transactions at an undervalue and transactions defrauding creditors.
• Contractual disputes, including both small claims and higher value disputes;
• Company law matters, including shareholder disputes and claims against company directors;
• Leading on a long-term, multi-jurisdictional pro bono project concerning product liability in the cosmetics industry.

As a Graduate Lawyer (Awaiting English Bar Qualification) in the International Arbitration team of a leading US law firm Sophie worked on multiple high value, complex commercial arbitrations including energy sector, shareholder and shipping disputes. She continues to build on her experience as a member of Chambers. Her international arbitration work includes:

• Representing the claimant in multiple arbitrations (LCIA) arising out of shareholder agreements related to family businesses;
• Representing the claimant in a consolidated series of arbitrations (LMAA) relating to the sale of ten commercial shipping vessels;
• Representing the respondent in an arbitration (ICC) arising out of contracts for the supply and sale of iron ore pellets;
• Representing the respondent in an arbitration (ICC) arising out of a long-term Joint Venture Agreement;
• Representing a regional government of a Middle Eastern state in a commercial arbitration (LCIA) in relation to gas extraction projects;
• Advising an arbitrator in relation to s.72 Arbitration Act 1996 in an arbitration (LCIA) regarding the breach of an interface agreement between a railway holding company and two national governments;
• Advising a regional government of a Middle Eastern state regarding a crude oil purchase and sale contract;
• Advising a regional government of a Middle Eastern state regarding oil and gas shipping contracts;
• Advising a client regarding a licence agreement dispute for medical technology.

Sophie has a busy property practice which encompasses all of Chambers’ areas of Property law, including Social Housing and Landlord & Tenant.

Her recent work has included:

• Possession proceedings on all grounds for both private and social landlords, including enforcement in the High Court and opposing stay applications;
• Injunctions under the Anti-Social Behavior Crime & Policing Act 2014, including ex parte, interim and final injunctions;
• Access & other injunctions;
• Disrepair proceedings;
• Homelessness proceedings;
• Succession claims;
• Defending claims under the Environmental Protection Act 1990;
• Adverse Possession & matters relating to trespassers;
• Capacity and Equality Act issues;
• Directions and application matters, including summary judgment and strike out applications.

Sophie is developing an employment law practice. She has a particular interest in religious discrimination in an employment context, which she researched and wrote on as part of her Master’s degree and legal studies. Her employment law experience includes:

• Claims for direct and indirect discrimination, victimization and harassment;
• Claims involving detriments relating to protected disclosure;
• Matters relating to the enforcement restrictive covenants in employment contracts.

Sophie is developing a business immigration practice, working with employers and businesses on matters relating to sponsor licensing and related applications in the High Court.

• Bar Practice Course, University of Law, London
• Graduate Diploma in Law, University of Law, London (Distinction)
• MSc Social Anthropology (Contemporary Religion), London School of Economics & Political Science (Distinction)
• BA (Hons) Theology & Religion, Durham University

• Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP: Recognition for 100+ hours of pro bono work (2024)
• Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution Negotiation Competition: National Finalist (2022)
• University of Law Negotiation Competition: Winner (2022)
• Human Rights Lawyers Association Judicial Review Moot: Semi-finalist (top 8/195) (2021)
• University of Law: London Senior Advocacy Scholarship (2021)
• University of Law: Career Changer Scholarship (BPC) (2021)
• University of Law: Full Career Changer Scholarship (GDL) (2020)
• London School of Economics: Anniversary Scholarship (2018)
• Gray’s Inn: Treasurer’s Award (2018)

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