Sophie Cartwright KC

Call: 1998 / Silk: 2021

"Sophie Cartwright KC is revered for her superb knowledge of coronial law..."

Chambers UK 2023: Inquests and Public Inquiries

"Sophie Cartwright KC is renowned for her expertise in high-profile inquests and public inquiries."

Chambers UK 2023: Administrative and Public Law

“Sophie is tenacious. She will leave no stone unturned and always goes the extra mile.”

Legal 500 2023: Inquests and Inquiries

"She's very amenable and helpful but dogged and forensic in her analysis of cases."

Chambers UK 2022: Inquests and Public Inquiries

"Undoubtedly the most impressive barrister I have instructed in recent years... "

Chambers UK 2021: Inquests and Public Inquiries

Sophie Cartwright KC practises in the fields of inquests and inquiries, related proceedings in the Administrative Court arising from inquests, public law, professional discipline, health and safety and environmental law, health and social care regulation and Court of Protection work.

Sophie is frequently instructed as Counsel to the Inquest and Counsel to the Inquiry. She is currently acting as Counsel to the Manchester Arena Inquiry and is one of the Silks appointed to the UK’s Public Inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sophie was a member of the Attorney General’s “A” Panel and “A” List Specialist Regulatory Advocate in Health and Safety and Environmental Law.

Legal Expertise

Public Inquiries and Inquests overview

Sophie is an experienced inquest and inquiry practitioner and is recognised as a leader in the field.

Sophie regularly appears before the Coroner’s court on behalf of Local authorities, health care trusts, charities, care and nursing homes, statutory agencies and regulators, Police Forces, prisons, emergency responders (Fire and Ambulance); private companies, families and individuals including health and social care professionals.

Sophie has vast experience in Article 2 and jury inquests.  She is particularly experienced at dealing with complex medical issues and the examination of vulnerable witnesses.

Sophie sits as an Assistant Coroner.

Sophie regularly acts as Counsel to the Inquest and Counsel to the Inquiry.

Notable Public Inquiries and Inquests cases

Covid Inquiry 2022-ongoing

The Rt Hon Baroness Heather Hallett's counsel to the inquiry.

Manchester Arena Inquests and Public Inquiry - 2018-2023

Sir John Saunders. Counsel to the Inquests and the Public Inquiry. Sophie received praise and recognition for her support of the Families and survivors. Sophie was responsible for the investigation and sensitive presentation of the evidence as to how each of the 22 victims died.

Antony Grainger Inquest and Counsel to the Public Inquiry 2015-2019

Police shooting. Counsel to the Inquest and Public Inquiry. HHJ Teague KC, the Chief Coroner of England and Wales

The Jermaine Baker Inquest - 2019-2020

HH Goldstone KC. Police Shooting.

The Ben Leonard Inquest - 2022 ongoing

Death of an explorer scout who fell from a cliff. The inquest is examining systems within the Scouts Association and adequacy of risk assessments.

Dr Ahmed - 2019-2022

Counsel to the 25 Inquests involving issues relating to post mortem reports of pathologist Dr Ahmed and where there were identified irregularities with the post-mortem examination, histology and medical causes of death provided

The Shukri Yahye-Abdi Inquest - 2020

Adduced the evidence of three vulnerable children implicated in the drowning of the deceased.

The Paul McGuigan Inquest - 2014-2015

Shooting in Iraq by Daniel Fitzsimmons whilst both working as closed protection officers for G4S.

Inquests overview

Sophie regularly acts and advises in related proceedings in the Administrative Court arising from inquests, including acting for Coroners and others in judicial review claims or claims pursuant to s13 Coroners Act 1988 with applications to the Attorney General for Fiat. Sophie has appeared before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in judicial review cases:

R(Leeson) v HM Area Coroner for Manchester South [2023] EWHC 62 (Admin) and [2022] EWHC 1894 (Admin)

Maguire, R (on the application of Muriel Maguire) v HM Senior Coroner for Blackpool & Fylde & Ors [2020] EWCA Civ 738

R(Ture) v Senior Coroner for Manchester North [2022] EWCH 1027 (Admin)

The Queen on the application of Carwyn Jones v HM Senior Coroner for North Wales (East and Central) [2019] EWHC 1494 (Admin)

The Queen on the application of Sreedharan v HM Coroner for the County of Greater Manchester and others Court of Appeal [2013] EWCA Civ 181

Public Law (including Judicial Review) overview

Sophie is regularly instructed in public law cases and in particular in Judicial Reviews arising from inquest:

R(Leeson) v HM Area Coroner for Manchester South [2023] EWHC 62 (Admin) and [2022] EWHC 1894 (Admin)

Maguire, R (on the application of Muriel Maguire) v HM Senior Coroner for Blackpool & Fylde & Ors [2020] EWCA Civ 738

R (Ture) v Senior Coroner for Manchester North [2022] EWCH 1027 (Admin)

The Queen on the application of Carwyn Jones v HM Senior Coroner for North Wales (East And Central) [2019] EWHC 1494 (Admin)

The Queen on the application of Sreedharan v HM Coroner for the County of Greater Manchester and others Court of Appeal [2013] EWCA Civ 181

Sophie advises Local Authorities in Public law challenges to their decision making. Notable cases include:

R (on the application of Lancashire CC) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care [2021] EWHC EWHC 268 (Admin)

The Queen on the Application of Augustine Housing Trust v Bolton Magistrates Court [2013] EWHC 4399 (Admin)

Professional Discipline overview

Sophie has been a General Medical Council Panel Advocate since 2010, regularly appearing before the MPTS for GMC.

Sophie regularly represents and advises individual professionals whose conduct is said to have caused or contributed to death. This includes, Doctors, Nurses, Health care professionals, registered managers, social workers and police officers.

Health and Safety and Environmental Law overview

On completion of her Masters in Health and Safety and Environmental Law in 2006, Sophie’s practice developed significantly into the regulatory and disciplinary fields with regular instructions from the GMC, Local Councils, the HSE, FSA, EA, companies and Transport providers.

Sophie has vast experience of both prosecuting and defending in Health and safety cases. Sophie regularly represents at inquests with juries investigating work place deaths.

Court of Protection overview

For over a decade and following the decision in R (on the application of C) v A Local Authority et al [2011] All ER (D) 171 (Jun) Neutral Citation: [2011] EWHC 1539 (Admin), Sophie has appeared in cases before the Court of Protection, including instructions from Local Authorities, Hospital Trusts and Commissioners, The Official Solicitor and families.

Top Ranked Chambers UK Inquest and Inquiry 2023:  Chambers UK 2023

“Sophie Cartwright KC is revered for her superb knowledge of coronial law, leading to her frequent appointment as counsel to the inquiry in high-profile inquests or public inquiries” “She is thorough and detail oriented; she lists evidence carefully and thoroughly and is able to make a strong connection with families.” Chambers UK 2023:  Inquests and Inquiries

“Sophie Cartwright KC is renowned for her expertise in high-profile inquests and public inquiries. She is frequently instructed to defend coroners in judicial review proceedings challenging their conduct and the scope of the inquest. She is experienced in public law cases involving mental capacity and the Court of Protection.” Chambers UK 2023:  Inquests and Inquiries

“Sophie Cartwright KC is renowned for her expertise in high-profile inquests and public inquiries. She is frequently instructed to defend coroners in judicial review proceedings challenging their conduct and the scope of inquests. She is also experienced in public law cases involving mental capacity and the Court of Protection.”  Chambers UK 2023:  Administrative and Public Law

‘Sophie is tenacious. She will leave no stone unturned and always goes the extra mile.’   Legal 500 2023:  Inquests and Inquiries

“She’s very amenable and helpful but dogged and forensic in her analysis of cases.” “A very able new silk.” “She is incredibly good at investigating and will squirrel away until she identifies the key points to be raised.” “She is well prepared and has a very calm manner.”  Chambers UK 2022:  Inquests and Public Inquiries

“She’s a very nice advocate in sensitive cases.” “Highly proficient on technical details and legal points.”  Chambers UK 2022

“Undoubtedly the most impressive barrister I have instructed in recent years in terms of her attention to detail, encyclopedic technical knowledge, persuasive advocacy and focus on her client. Her absolute commitment to a case and tenacious approach to the evidence always pay off.”  Chambers UK 2021 Inquests and Public Inquiries

“She is enormously bright, very approachable and talented.” “She is a very forensic cross-examiner and her approach was very collaborative with other advocates.”  Chambers UK 2021

“A very experienced, highly regarded and hard-working barrister.” She is enormously bright, very approachable and talented.” “She is a very forensic cross-examiner and her approach was very collaborative with other advocates.”  Chambers UK 2021

“She’s very impressive. She’s up to speed in terms of all recent developments and she has a good court presence.”  Chambers UK 2021

‘She is simply brilliant.’  Chambers UK 2021

“Sophie is an assistant coroner, which gives you confidence when she is handling an inquest. There is a great sensitivity about her, and she is extremely thorough so we never question her preparation. She has great attention to detail and is a really safe pair of hands.” Legal 500 2021

“She’s a very safe pair of hands.” “She is very measured and thorough.” “Her key strength is the level of support she provides and her empathy for those she is representing.”  Chambers UK 2020

‘ Her practice includes health and safety and professional disciplinary cases.”  Chambers UK 2020

“She’s very good in court, and she prepares really well.” Recent work: Resisted a challenge by a patient at Ashworth Hospital to the adoption of a Night Time Confinement Policy on the ward on which he was residing, alleging breaches of Articles 5 and 8.”  Legal 500 2020

“Her attention to detail is second to none and she has the ability to put clients at ease in very stressful situations and explain complex legal issues in simple terms. She foresees potential issues well in advance and is always prepared.” “She’s a very safe pair of hands and a very good opponent.”  Chambers UK 2019

“Extremely helpful and excellent with clients.” Recent work: Acted on behalf of HSE in the prosecution of AGC Chemicals for a chemical spillage of a large container of acid onto the foot of a worker at the chemical plant.  Chambers UK 2019

“Experienced prosecutor on behalf of the GMC, also handling high-profile public inquiry police cases. Her professional discipline practice also takes in the representation of regulated professionals and organisations. “Very approachable.” Recent work: Acted as counsel to an inquest relating to the shooting in Iraq of two men by Daniel Fitzsimons while working as an armed security contractor for G4S.  Chambers UK 2019

‘She provides exceptional client care.’  Chambers UK 2019

Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
Criminal Bar Association
Health and Safety Lawyers Association [HSLA]
COPPA [Court of Protection Practitioners Association]

LLB Warwick

MA Health and Safety and Environmental Law

Bar Council Representative on Attorney General Selection Panels 2022-2023
Inner Temple Governing Bencher 2022
Northern Circuit Pro Bono Circuit Representative 2022
Appointed Silk 2021
Recorder (Crime) 2018
Assistant Coroner 2012

Before taking Silk Sophie was on the Regional “A” Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown and “A” List Specialist Regulatory Advocate in Health and Safety and Environmental Law

Sophie is an Inner Temple Advocacy Trainer and a member of the Scholarships and Outreach Committee.

Sophie mentors students through Inner Temple, Durham University and in particular the Bar Council’s  “Barristers in Schools/ College Scheme”.

Since 2000 Sophie has assisted the Young Citizens Foundation Mock Trial Competition both as school/ college mentor and more recently as Judge.

Sophie volunteers for Springpod, providing virtual legal work experience to students.

She has participated in workshops at the Bar Standards Board to encourage female retention at the Bar.

Sophie is an accredited Judicial Guide as part of the JAC Targeted Outreach – Guide Scheme.

Sophie is passionate about access to justice and regularly undertakes Pro Bono work. She was one of four KCs Shortlisted for ADVOCATE Pro Bono KC of the Year at the Pro Bono Awards November 2022, receiving “special mention” from the Judging panel. Sophie is Vice Chair of the Manchester Pro Bono Committee and a Northern Circuit Pro Bono Circuit Representative.

Sophie regularly delivers training in relation to Inquest and Inquiry work and Health and Safety, most recently at the HSLA Annual Conference in May 2022 at Eversheds Sutherland’s Annual Inquiry Conference in October 2022.

I, Sophie Cartwright KC, am a data controller and can be contacted at 3 Raymond Buildings, Gray’s Inn, London WC1R 5BH or by telephone on 020 7400 6400 or by email at sophie.cartwright@3rblaw.com.  My Data Protection Policy can be found here.

All personal data that I process is for the purposes of providing legal services, conducting conflict-checks, marketing, defending potential complaints, legal proceedings or fee disputes, keeping anti-money laundering records, training other barristers and pupils and when providing work-shadowing opportunities, and/or exercising a right to a lien.  The types of data I process vary upon the nature of the legal matter in relation to which I am engaged to advise, but can include names, contact details, biographic details and ‘special category personal data’ (such as details of racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, health, sex life and criminal convictions and proceedings).

Depending upon the circumstances of the case, the legal bases upon which I process personal data are (i) the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract, (ii) the processing is necessary to comply with legal obligations to which I am subject, or (iii) the processing is necessary for the legitimate interests set out above, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subjects which require protection of personal data, in particular where the data subject is a child.  When I rely on (iii) legitimate interests, my ‘Legitimate Interests Assessment’ can be found <here>.  When I process data which has not been obtained directly from the data subject (eg personal data contained in evidential materials), it will have been supplied to me as part of my instructions in circumstances covered by legal professional privilege.

Depending upon the circumstances of the case, I may share the personal data with:

  1. my Chambers, which supplies professional and administrative support to my practice;
  2. Courts and other tribunals to whom documents are presented;
  3. my lay and professional clients;
  4. potential witnesses, in particular experts, and friends or family of the data subject;
  5. solicitors, barristers, pupils, mini pupils and other legal representatives;
  6. ombudsmen and regulatory authorities;
  7. current, past or prospective employers;
  8. education and examining bodies;
  9. business associates, professional advisers and trade bodies.

I retain personal data for no longer than 7 years after the case has come to an end or as otherwise required by law.

I do not intend to transfer data to any country which is not either within the European Union, or otherwise permitted by UK data protection legislation.

Under the UK GDPR, data subjects whose personal data I process have the right to request from me access to, and rectification or erasure of, their personal data, the right to the restriction of processing concerning them, the right to object to processing as well as the right to data portability.  Data subjects also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ico.org.uk).

In cases where there is a contract between me and the data subject, the provision of personal data is a contractual requirement and the data subject is obliged to provide the personal data in order that I can supply legal services.  A failure to provide such data may mean that I will not be able to provide those legal services.

Rev 2.1 17.02.2023

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