Sophie Bowes

Sophie graduated from the University of Manchester with a first class degree in law with politics (LLB) in 2011. She went on to study the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in York before qualifying as a solicitor in 2014. Following qualification, Sophie gained experience acting for claimants in clinical negligence cases before moving into a defence role representing NHS Resolution.

Since joining Hempsons’ Healthcare Advisory Team in 2018, Sophie has expanded her areas of expertise and now advises NHS bodies, private healthcare organisations and NHS Resolution on a broad range of issues including inquests, claims, mental health and other advisory matters.

In recent years, Sophie has been involved in a number of reported cases including:

·       University College London Hospitals Foundation Trust v MB [2020] EWHC 882 (QB), which related to the discharge of a patient from hospital at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

·       Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust v AB [2020] EWCOP40, a case about whether it was in the best interests of an anorexic patient to undergo further treatment.

·       NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board v JH [2023] EWCOP 2, which was a case concerning the validity of an advance decision for a patient refusing to eat or undergo further medical investigations.

More about Sophie

Outside work, I enjoy staying active by going to the gym, running and hiking.

Main areas of expertise

• inquests
• clinical governance
• mental health
• mental capacity

The clients she works with

• NHS trusts
• private healthcare providers
• Integrated Care Boards
• NHS Resolution

Qualifications

• Legal Practice Course (Distinction) – 2012
• LLB Law with Politics (First Class Honours) – 2011