Sophie Johnstone - Trinity Chambers

Sophie joined Trinity Chambers as a pupil in October 2023 under the supervision of Laura Jane Miller and Josh Normanton. Sophie is undertaking a specialist criminal pupillage.

EXPERTISE

Throughout pupillage, Sophie has gained a wide range of experience in both defence and prosecution work. Sophie also has an interest in regulatory, inquest and licensing matters. Sophie is a CPS Grade 1 Prosecutor and has also completed specific Youth Court training and welcomes instructions of this nature.

Since starting pupillage, Sophie has observed her supervisors and other senior members of Chambers on the most serious of cases including murder, rape, and drug offences. Sophie has observed a wide range of hearings and has also shadowed members of Chambers in the Magistrates Court, at a Police Misconduct hearing and at the Coroners Court.

Under the instruction of Sophie’s respective supervisors, Sophie has drafted a variety of documentation, including applications to exclude evidence pursuant to section 78 PACE, applications to dismiss, representations to the Crown applying the Code for Crown Prosecutors, defence statements, advices on evidence and so on. Sophie has also assisted with appeals.

Prior to pupillage, Sophie worked in a local firm of solicitors who specialise in civil fraud and authorised push payment scams. Sophie spent significant time researching this claim type for the firm and wishes to expand her knowledge of cryptocurrency scams and the recovery of crypto assets through criminal proceedings or private prosecutions. Sophie has a particular interest in financial and regulatory crime.

Sophie has a strong background in County Court advocacy, working as an in-house advocate at a prominent solicitor’s firm in the North East prior to starting pupillage. During her time in this role, Sophie dealt with a variety of hearings covering personal injury and credit hire matters. Sophie was also tasked with drafting various legal documents, including skeleton arguments, and assisted with valuing claims for opinions on quantum.

Whilst at university, Sophie volunteered for the National Centre for Domestic Violence. As part of this role, Sophie was tasked with calling victims of domestic abuse, and asking various difficult questions to elicit sensitive information regarding incidents to assist with the drafting of witness statements to obtain emergency injunctions (non-molestation orders and occupation orders). Sophie has experience in dealing with highly vulnerable individuals and strives to demonstrate high levels of compassion and understanding when dealing with those who are incredibly vulnerable.