Sophie is ranked by both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 as a leading junior for Commercial Dispute Resolution. Her practice consists of heavyweight commercial cases, spanning contractual disputes, civil fraud, banking and finance, professional liability and insurance. 

She has appeared in a number of the leading cases in the English Courts in recent years. Examples of current and recent instructions include:

• Wirral Council v Reckitt Benckiser Group plc – Defending (led by Helen Davies KC and Tony Singla KC) a claim brought under s. 90A and Schedule 10A of the Financial Services and Markets Act.
• Russian Aircraft Litigation – Acting (led by Mark Howard KC and Stephen Midwinter KC) for AerCap, the world’s largest aircraft lessor in their multi-billion dollar claims against their own insurers and the reinsurers of policies taken out by Russian airlines in respect of aircraft and engines leased by AerCap which have not been returned by the Russian airlines following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• Arena Television Limited v Lloyds and Bank of Scotland Sentinel Broadcast Limited v Lloyds) – Defending (led by Simon Salzedo KC) two very high value Quincecare claims following the Supreme Court decision in Philipp v Barclays arising out of an alleged large scale asset finance fraud.
• NMC Plc v Ernst & Young – Acting (led by Thomas Plewman KC and Edward Harrison KC)  in defence of Ernst & Young in audit negligence claim for over US$ 2.6 billion.
• Aon v LaMia – Acting for a London (re)insurance broker in claims arising out of an air crash in Columbia, involving anti-suit injunctions and significant related worldwide litigation.
• Lonestar Communications Corporation v Kaye & Ors – Acting (led by Tony Singla KC) for the Claimant in a conspiracy claim concerning a large-scale “cyber-attack” on a leading telecoms company in Liberia.
• Sheffield United Football Club v Shepherd and Wedderburn – Acting (led by Charles Hollander KC) for the Defendants in a high-profile £150m claim brought by the former owners of the football club against their solicitors, alleging negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.
• Manchester Building Society v Grant Thornton – Acting (led by Simon Salzedo KC) before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in the now leading decision on the application of the “SAAMCO” principle concerning scope of duty.
• Privatbank v Kolomoisky and other - Acting (led by Mark Howard KC, Michael Bools KC and Alec Haydon KC) for the first defendant, Mr Kolomoisky in defence of a claim by the bank alleging the misappropriation of $1.9bn.
• Slater & Gordon (UK) 1 Ltd v Watchstone Group plc - Acting (led by Tim Lord KC) for Watchstone in defence of a £640m claim alleging fraud and breach of warranty arising in the context of a well-publicised acquisition by the claimant of certain of Watchstone’s businesses. Watchstone was granted permission to pursue a counterclaim arising from the alleged participation of the claimant’s advisers in an illicit “back channel” with Watchstone’s advisors.
• Ingenious Litigation – Acting (led by Tim Lord KC and Simon Birt KC) for Ingenious Media in litigation concerning the sale and promotion of film finance investment schemes.
• Contact v Travelers – Acting (led by Thomas Plewman KC) for the Claimant in a dispute concerning the liability of an insurance company to indemnify the claimant for losses arising from damage to a commercial printing press.
• Marashen v Kenvett – Acting (led by Simon Salzedo KC) on an appeal concerning service out of the jurisdiction and alternative service in a case to which the Hague Service Convention is applicable.

Civil fraud cases form a large part of Sophie’s practice. Examples of recent instructions include:

• Arena Television Limited v Lloyds and Bank of Scotland Sentinel Broadcast Limited v Lloyds) – Defending (led by Simon Salzedo KC) two very high value Quincecare claims following the Supreme Court decision in Philipp v Barclays arising out of an alleged large scale asset finance fraud.
• NMC Plc v Ernst & Young – Acting (led by Thomas Plewman KC and Edward Harrison KC) in defence of Ernst & Young in audit negligence claim for over US$ 2.6 billion.
• Slater & Gordon (UK) 1 Ltd v Watchstone Group plc - Acting (led by Tim Lord KC) for Watchstone in defence of a £640m claim alleging fraud and breach of warranty arising in the context of a well-publicised acquisition by the claimant of certain of Watchstone’s businesses. Watchstone was granted permission to pursue a counterclaim arising from the alleged participation of the claimant’s advisers in an illicit “back channel” with Watchstone’s advisors.
• Ingenious Litigation – Acting (led by Tim Lord KC and Simon Birt KC) for Ingenious Media in litigation concerning the sale and promotion of film finance investment schemes.

Sophie has been involved in a number of the leading professional negligence disputes in recent years. These include:

• Arena Television Limited v Lloyds and Bank of Scotland Sentinel Broadcast Limited v Lloyds) – Defending (led by Simon Salzedo KC) two very high value Quincecare claims following the Supreme Court decision in Philipp v Barclays arising out of an alleged large scale asset finance fraud.
• NMC Plc v Ernst & Young – Acting (led by Thomas Plewman KC and Edward Harrison KC)  in defence of Ernst & Young in audit negligence claim for over US$ 2.6 billion.
• Aon v LaMia – Acting for a London (re)insurance broker in claims arising out of an air crash in Columbia, involving anti-suit injunctions and significant related worldwide litigation.
• Manchester Building Society v Grant Thornton – Acting (led by Simon Salzedo KC) before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in the now leading decision on the application of the “SAAMCO” principle concerning scope of duty.

Sophie regularly advises clients on all kinds of disputes arising from corporate transactions and is a co-author of the specialist text: Fraud and Breach of Warranty: Buyer’s Claims and Sellers’ Defences (2^nd edn, 2024).

Examples of recent instructions include:

• Wirral Council v Reckitt Benckiser Group plc – Defending (led by Helen Davies KC and Tony Singla KC) a claim brought under s. 90A and Schedule 10A of the Financial Services and Markets Act.
• An LCIA arbitration (led by Laura Newton KC) concerning fraud claims in respect of a share purchase agreement.
• Slater & Gordon (UK) 1 Ltd v Watchstone Group plc - Acting (led by Tim Lord KC) for Watchstone in defence of a £640m claim alleging fraud and breach of warranty arising in the context of a well-publicised acquisition by the claimant of certain of Watchstone’s businesses. Watchstone was granted permission to pursue a counterclaim arising from the alleged participation of the claimant’s advisers in an illicit “back channel” with Watchstone’s advisors.

• An LCIA arbitration regarding fraud claims in respect of a share purchase agreement (led by Laura Newton KC).
• An arbitration concerning the handling and settlement of claims made under medical malpractice insurance policies issued in Italy pursuant to a series of binding authority agreements (led by Stephen Midwinter KC).
• Advising on a possible arbitration for an unfair prejudice petition against partners in an EIS investment partnership (led by Charles Hollander KC).
• An SCC arbitration concerning the copying of a technical specification for a chemical plant (led by Charles Hollander KC and Nicholas Saunders KC).

• Russian Aircraft Litigation – Acting (led by Mark Howard KC and Stephen Midwinter KC) for AerCap, the world’s largest aircraft lessor in their multi-billion dollar claims against their own insurers and the reinsurers of policies taken out by Russian airlines in respect of aircraft and engines leased by AerCap which have not been returned by the Russian airlines following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• Advising unled on insurance claims arising out a flood to commercial premises.  
• Advising unled on insurance claims arising out of damage to commercial equipment in transit.
• Contact v Travelers – Acting (led by Thomas Plewman KC) for the Claimant in a dispute concerning the liability of an insurance company to indemnify the claimant for losses arising from damage to a commercial printing press.
• Single Buoy Moorings v Zurich Insurance and other - Acting (led by Mark Howard KC, Neil Calver KC and Stephen Midwinter KC) for an insured owner of an offshore oil storage platform in a claim worth around $1 billion arising out of abandonment due to safety concerns.  

Education

2015-16 Pupillage, Brick Court Chambers

2014-15 BPTC, BPP Law School (Outstanding)

2013-14 LLM, Clare College, Cambridge (1^st Class)

2009-13 BA (Hons) Law, Clare College, Cambridge (1^st Class, 1^st in year)

2011-12 Erasmus Exchange, Utrecht University

Scholarships and prizes

University of Cambridge:

• Slaughter and May Prize for Best Overall Performance in Part II Law (2013)
• Clifford Chance Prize for European Union Law (2013)
• 3 Verulam Buildings Prize for Equity (2013)
• Rebecca Flower Squire Scholarship (2013)

Clare College, Cambridge:

• Clare College LLM Scholarship (2013-2014)
• William Senior Prize for Law, Clare College, University of Cambridge (2013)

Middle Temple:

• JJ Powell Prize, Middle Temple (2015)
• Certificate of Honour, Middle Temple (2015)
• Queen Mother Scholarship, Middle Temple (2014)

Other:

• Bar European Group Phoenicia Scholar (2016)
• BPP Excellence Award (2014)

"Sophie Shaw is known for her work in very high-profile professional negligence cases, such as Manchester Building Society v Grant Thornton and the Ingenious litigation." Chambers & Partners 2026

"Sophie Shaw is very clever, decisive and you know you are going to get a quality work product." Chambers & Partners 2026

"Sophie Shaw is really excellent. She is highly effective and presents legal arguments extremely well." Chambers & Partners 2026

"I think very highly of Sophie Shaw. She is very clever and decisive, and you know you are going to get a quality work product from her." Chambers & Partners 2026

"Sophie is a fabulous junior who is very commercial and clear in her advice to clients. She is very reliable in terms of her legal judgement, but also very user-friendly and approachable." Chambers & Partners 2026

"Sophie Shaw is very bright and has very good judgement. She is very forensic and has a very attractive and persuasive style both in writing and orally." Chambers & Partners 2026

"Sophie Shaw is a superb addition to any counsel team with a big brain and lots of big case experience. She has been involved with several of the most important audit negligence cases in recent years." Legal 500 2026

"On major matters she has a real ability – uncommon at the Bar – to coordinate teams of counsel and solicitors. Excellent drafting and crushes through pleadings at great speed." Legal 500 2026

"She will be a future star." Chambers & Partners 2025

"Sophie is an exceptional all-round talent. She is good with the law, has good forensic nous and strategy, and can package up the presentation in a very effective way." Chambers & Partners 2025

"Sophie is fabulous." Chambers & Partners 2025

"Sophie is fantastic and hard-working. She sees points and drafts brilliantly." Chambers & Partners 2025

"A diligent and hard-working junior, Sophie writes and thinks really clearly. She is brilliant." Chambers & Partners 2025

"Sophie is brilliant. She has a very sharp legal mind." Legal 500 2025

"Sophie is very competent, good at drafting, and a key member of any team. She expresses her views clearly and forcefully." Legal 500 2025

"She's an excellent junior - very strong technically and very hard working, with a good eye for detail." Legal 500 2025

"She is everything you want from a junior. Technically brilliant, calm under pressure and someone who has an adept way of dealing with complex points. She always manages to find a way through." Chambers & Partners 2024 

"Sophie has a brilliant legal mind, stunning knack for finding the key facts and documents, and the most calm presence. She is truly a star of the Bar." Legal 500 2024

"Sophie is a fabulous junior – highly intelligent, dedicated, exercises good judgement, is personable and has a great attention to detail. She has been involved in many large matters which bodes well for her future. She is excellent on paper and has great client skills." Legal 500 2024

"A very bright barrister with massive potential. She is very commercial and really understands the support you need from junior barristers." Chambers & Partners 2023

"Sophie is very sharp-witted, very user-friendly and someone with a good ability to articulate the strongest and weakest points in a case." "Her written work is of the highest quality." "She successfully masters large volumes of documentation and works well as part of a team." Chambers & Partners 2023

"Easy going as part of a team but expresses her views with real conviction – a great person to have on your side in a big case." Legal 500 2023

"She is a tremendous asset to the counsel team, completely on top of her cases and gives sound and practice advice." Legal 500 2023

"Sophie has a rare talent for finding the key point on which the case turns, and then serving it up in the most persuasive manner imaginable. Real star quality." Legal 500 2023

"Produces high-quality work and is both very responsive and excellent with clients." Chambers & Partners 2022

"Fantastic – very able and responsive, a very able drafter and a very good all-round lawyer."  Legal 500 2022

"Very responsive, dependable and a purveyor of robust advice." Chambers & Partners 2021

"She is very thorough and successfully masters large volumes of documentation, working well as part of a team." Chambers & Partners 2021

"Great attention to technical detail balanced by a clear communication style. Sophie has a collaborative way of working that made it really easy and a pleasure to instruct her." Legal 500 2021

"She is very clever and easy to work with – on her way to high places." Legal 500 2021