Sophie Keegan

Practice Overview

Sophie joined Chambers upon the completion of her Pupillage in January 2022. She was supervised in her first-six by Catrin John (Family/Child) and by Eugene Egan (Crime) in her second-six.

Sophie takes instructions in Chambers’ main practice areas, and especially welcomes instructions in criminal and family matters. She routinely appears in the Magistrates Court, Crown Court and Family Court.

Sophie is a diligent, thoughtful and empathetic advocate. She is acutely aware of the individual needs of her clients and will aim to meet those needs. She takes a pragmatic but sensitive approach to the case before her, and will endeavour to secure the best results that she can for her client.

For her legal training, Sophie studied Law and French at the University of Bristol and was awarded First Class Honours. Her undergraduate studies included a year abroad in Bordeaux where she studied French Law at the Université de Bordeaux IV Montesquieu. She completed the Bar Course at the University of the West of England, achieving an Outstanding. During her studies, Sophie acted pro bono with Bristol Law Centre, frequently appearing in the First-Tier Social Security Tribunal.  

Sophie grew up in Bridgend. 

Outside of work, Sophie loves spending time in the great outdoors, as well as taking ballet classes and doing Pilates.  Sophie is also an enthusiast for French language, culture and history.

Notable and Reported cases

• Crime

  Sophie prosecutes and defends in both the Magistrates Court and Crown Court and is instructed in a wide range of offences, from supply of drugs offences and offences of violence, amongst others. She has been instructed in jury trials, as well as appearing from PTPHs and sentencing hearings for both the prosecution and defence. Sophie has also built up experience in dealing with civil applications in the Magistrates Court, such as Closure Orders and DVPO applications.

• Private Child

  Sophie has dealt with Private Child cases at all stages of proceedings. She has represented parents at FHDRAs, Fact-Finding Hearings, urgent applications and Final Hearings.  Sophie also has experience in representing Local Authorities who have become involved in private proceedings and 16.4 Children's Guardians. 

• Public Child

  Sophie is developing a busy practice in Public Child cases. She has been instructed to act for parents, Local Authorities and for children in care proceedings. Sophie has frequently represented those who lack litigation capacity and who have consequently been represented through the Official Solicitor. Sophie has been involved in cases where she has been led, including where there is complex medical evidence in relation to alleged inflicted injuries, and allegations of sexual abuse. She deals with hearings ranging from contested interim removal hearings and case management hearings up to Final Hearings. Sophie has appeared extensively in cases that have been allocated to the Family Drug and Alcohol Court.

• Education & Qualifications

  • First Class Honours in LLB Law and French (University of Bristol, 2019)

  • Outstanding on the Bar Professional Training Course (University of the West of England, 2020)

• Appointments
  • CPS Level 2 Prosecutor
• Memberships

  • FLBA

  • CBA

  • The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple

• Awards
  • University of Bristol Dean’s Commendation Award for Academic Excellence (2016)
  • Harmsworth Scholarship from Middle Temple
  • Blackstone’s Exhibition Award from Middle Temple
  • Highest mark in the cohort on the BPTC at UWE (2020)
• Related Publications

  Summary on the law of jurisdiction in the Family Court and transfer of proceedings

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