Sophie Lomas

Career background

Prior to call to the Bar, worked for several years as Lead Claims Advisor for a leading insurance company, specialising in road traffic claims.  The role involved advising on liability and the resolution of liability disputes, and dealing with fraud and indemnity issues.

Practice details

Crime 

Instructed in a variety of criminal cases in the Crown Court.    Recent instructions have included :

• Allegation of theft in breach of trust, defendant suffering from dementia, deemed unfit to stand trial
• Sexual assault, male complainant, successful argument to exclude DNA evidence
• Female defendant charged with making indecent images
• Defendant charged with harassment via Facebook 

Has a particular interest and skill in dealing with young offenders, most recently :  

• 15 year old accused of two level 3 robberies where extreme violence used. Sentence reduced on appeal to 5 years detention (R v NL [2011] EWCA Crim 523)
• 17 year old charged with possession of indecent images, issues as to notification requirements due to age
• 13 year old charged with sexual assaults on fellow pupils at school

Road Traffic

Often instructed in road traffic matters, ranging from minor document offences to allegations of dangerous driving.   Accustomed to dealing with expert evidence, including back calculations in excess alcohol cases, and tachograph analysis.   Fully conversant with the probationary driver provisions, exceptional hardship and special reasons arguments.  

Common Law

Has experience of attending inquests   (instructed by solicitors acting on behalf of national insurance companies), where death resulted from a road traffic accident.    Experienced in dealing with rent and mortgage repossession hearings, infant settlement hearings, and has represented both claimants and defendants in a wide variety of small claims matters.

Continuing professional development

Lectures probationary police officers on the elements of criminal offences, evidence (including PACE, and the hearsay and bad character provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003), procedure (including pre-interview and pre-trial disclosure), and human rights.    Has also delivered lectures on legal developments in Health and Safety Law, and participated in various training sessions for employees of the Health and Safety Executive.   Participates in witness familiarisation courses delivered to police officers, special constables, probation officers and HSE inspectors.