Sophie Hepburn

Call: 2021

: +44 (0)20 7910 8300
: shepburn@7kbw.co.uk
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Sophie Hepburn 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 acting for the successful claimants in the Commercial Court and in the Court of Appeal in a marine insurance claim arising from the detention of a vessel in Indonesia: Delos Shipholding SA & Ors v Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty SE & Ors (“WIN WIN”) [2024] EWHC 719 (Comm) and [2025] EWCA Civ 1019. She was also instructed on behalf of All Risks insurers in AerCap Ireland Ltd v AIG Europe SA & Ors (Russian Aircraft Lessor Policy Claims) [2025] EWHC 1430 (Comm).

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.

Expertise

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Insurance and Reinsurance

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.

Shipping and Shipbuilding

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.

Professional Negligence / Professional Discipline

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.

Civil Fraud

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.

General Commercial Litigation

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.