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.

Sophie continues to build on her commercial background. Broadly, Sophie’s work comprises contractual disputes (both small claims and higher value matters), and matters with both commercial and property elements.

Recent work has included:

• Acting for a cross-media marketing company in a claim concerning issues of misrepresentation and incorporation of terms;
• Acting for various private education providers in disputes relating to unpaid fees;
• Acting for a building completion company in a construction project claim concerning the applicability of the prevention principle;
• Advising in relation to non-disclosure elements of a settlement agreement for a sale of goods dispute;
• Acting for an estate agent in several claims relating to commission and administration fees.

Sophie accepts instructions in both personal and corporate insolvency matters, and has acted for debtors, creditors and office holders. She frequently appears in the winding up list and also volunteers for Advocate’s Bankruptcy Representation Scheme so has experience acting on last minute insolvency instructions. Sophie is a member of R3 (Association of Business Recovery Professionals). Her recent work has included:

• Appearing for both creditors and debtors at all stages of bankruptcy proceedings, including making and resisting applications to set aside a statutory demand, petitioning for and opposing bankruptcy orders;
• Appearing for petitioning creditors, supporting creditors and companies in winding up and wider insolvency proceedings, such as interim applications;
• Acting for an Administrator in an application under paragraph 79 of Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986;
• Applications on behalf of Liquidators including in hybrid directors’ misfeasance claims;
• Advising on matters where there are issues of transactions at an undervalue and transaction defrauding creditors.

Sophie also accepts instructions in company law matters, including shareholder disputes and claims against company directors.

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’ arears of Property Law. Her recent work includes:

• Possession proceedings on all grounds for both private and social landlords, including enforcement in the High Court, opposing stay applications, appeal proceedings, directions and application matters such as summary judgment and strike out applications;
• Injunctions under the Anti-Social Behavior Crime & Policing Act 2014 on behalf of housing providers, including ex parte, interim and final injunctions;
• Advising on matters concerning tenancy fraud and unlawful subletting;
• Advising on matters relating to adverse possession and trespassers;
• Mortgage possession proceedings;
• Applications for orders for sale and other applications pursuant to section 14 TOLATA 1996;
• Advising on a potential claim against a mortgage provider.

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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