Practice Profile
Sophie accepts instructions as sole counsel and as a junior in all of 7KBW’s practice areas, including insurance, shipping, aviation, international arbitration, commodities, civil fraud, professional negligence and professional discipline.
Her recent work includes a four-week trial in the Commercial Court concerning a marine insurance claim arising from a detention in Indonesia which will be heard in the Court of Appeal in 2025. She is also instructed on behalf of All Risks insurers in the multi-billion-pound Russian aviation insurance trial which was heard in the Commercial Court from October 2024 to February 2025.
Before commencing pupillage, Sophie taught Contract and Tort at the London School of Economics. She was also previously the judicial assistant to Lord Justice Flaux at the Court of Appeal where she experienced a wide range of commercial appellate work. Sophie studied Law at Keble College, Oxford where she achieved a First in Finals and a Distinction on the BCL.
- Delos Shipholding SA & Ors v Allianz Global Corporate and Speciality SE & Ors (“Win Win”) [2024] EWHC 719 (Comm): acted (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC and Sandra Healy) for the successful Claimants in a multi-million-pound dispute under a war risks policy for an indemnity for constructive total loss (CTL) of a vessel, the “WIN WIN”. The Defendants denied the claim on four bases, all of which were rejected by Mrs Justice Dias. The case involved issues such as fortuity, the duty of sue and labour, the construction of Exclusion (e) of the American Institute Hull War Risks and Strikes Clauses (1977), as well as the duty of fair presentation under the Insurance Act 2015.
- Instructed on behalf of All Risks insurers (led by Gavin Kealey KC, Andrew Wales KC, David Murray (FCC) and Clara Benn) in the multi-billion-pound Russian aviation insurance trial which was heard in the Commercial Court from October 2024 to February 2025.
- Instructed (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC) in a complex construction related insurance dispute arising from a fire at a property.
- Acted (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC and Sandra Healy) in a multi-million-pound arbitration concerning a dispute under a cyber policy.
- Advised as sole counsel as to the meaning and application of an employers’ liability insurance policy, including the meaning of various types of loss.
- Sophie often appears as sole counsel in insurance matters in the County Court.
- Acted (led by Stephen Kenny KC) in an LMAA arbitration concerning damage to a cargo of soya beans.
- Acted (led by Stephen Hofmeyr KC) in a proprietary injunction application in a dispute arising out of a Greek shipping business arrangement.
- Prepared pleadings (led by Robert Bright KC and Harry Wright) for an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the use of presumptions in construing guarantees in the context of a shipbuilding dispute.
- Acted unled in a charterparty dispute concerning the application of a force majeure clause.
- Acted (led by Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC) for the Financial Reporting Council in a disciplinary investigation under the Audit Enforcement Procedure.
- Assisted (during pupillage) in preparation for a disciplinary hearing in the Ecclesiastical Tribunal in a case concerning allegations of antisemitism.
- Assisted (during pupillage) with a summary judgment application concerning repayment of a substantial loan, where the loan agreement was alleged to have been forged.
- Assisted (during pupillage) with an application for alternative service in proceedings against individuals alleged to have conspired to dissipate assets in breach of a freezing injunction.
- Assisted (during pupillage) in preparing the defence and counterclaim in relation to a dispute concerning breaches of a warehouse agreement.
- Assisted (during pupillage) with research in a dispute concerning whether a contract for the provision of security services in a warzone had been frustrated.
- Assisted (during pupillage) in preparing advice in a claim involving the calculation of payments due under a pharmaceutical royalty agreement.
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7KBW in landmark Russian aviation trial
- 8th Oct 2024 -
Commercial Court delivers a “Win Win” judgment for 7KBW counsel team
- 26th Mar 2024 -
Article by Sophie Hepburn – Salvage of sunken treasure and the law of state immunity
- 8th Mar 2023 -
7KBW welcomes new tenants – Joshua Fung, Emma Franklin and Sophie Hepburn
- 22nd Sep 2022
View all news
‘Salvage of Sunken Treasure and the Law of State Immunity’ (2023) 139 LQR 199 (with Samuel Walpole)
‘State Immunity and Admiralty Actions in Rem Against Cargo’ (2021) 137 LQR 385 (with Samuel Walpole)
‘Representations as to “Apparent Order and Condition” and the Tender of a Draft Bill of Lading’ (2021) LMCLQ 415 (with Samuel Walpole)
Education and Other Experience
- 2020-21: Guest Teacher, LSE (teaching Contract and Tort)
- 2020-21: BVS, City University of London (Distinction)
- 2019-20: Judicial Assistant to Lord Justice Flaux, Court of Appeal
- 2018-19: BCL, Keble College, University of Oxford (Distinction)
- 2014-17: BA Jurisprudence, Keble College, University of Oxford (First Class)
Scholarships and Awards
- BVS Academic Excellence Scholarship, City Law School
- BVS Award, Inner Temple
- Harris Prize for the Best Performance in Jurisprudence at Keble College (2017)
- Academic Scholarship from Keble College (2016-17)