Sophie is always thoroughly prepared. She has an eye for detail and robustly represents clients in court. Her advice is always clear and concise.”

The Legal 500 2025, Children and domestic abuse

Sophie is a specialist family law practitioner with a thriving junior practice across all of our family law practice areas, including:

  • Children Private Law
  • Children Public Law
  • Divorce & Financial Remedies
  • Part IV Family Law Act 1996
  • Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989

Sophie contributes to the Transparency Project blog, Family Law Week and co-authors the Financial Remedies Update in the FLBA’s “Family Affairs” publication. Sophie has worked this year as a Qualified Legal Representative and undertaken pro bono work through Advocate.

Sophie worked for two years in the family team of a highly respected national law firm assisting on children cases. She also spent a period of time working on public law children cases in the Children’s Services Legal Team at a Local Authority in the South West and volunteering with the National Centre for Domestic Violence.

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Directory Quotes

Sophie is always thoroughly prepared. She has an eye for detail and robustly represents clients in court. Her advice is always clear and concise.”

The Legal 500 2025, Children and domestic abuse

Seminars & Events

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  • Qualifications & awards:

    • University of Law BPTC – Very Competent
    • University of Sussex LLB (Hons)
    • “Highly Commended” prize – Bar Council’s Law Reform Essay Competition (2017)
    • Joseph Jackson Scholarship (Major Award) – The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple (2014)
    • Blackstone Entrance Exhibition – The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple (2014)
    • Scholarship – University of Law (2014)
    • Winner – The Crown Prosecution Service Mooting Competition (2013)
    • Sophie has completed the FLBA Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training

  • Professional memberships:

    • Family Law Bar Association (FLBA)
    • Western Circuit

  • Sophie Smith-Holland is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.