When practising from Chambers until August 2026, Sophie regularly appeared in Courts across the South West and London, including the High Court, and appeared in the Court of Appeal in the reported case of J v Bath and North East Somerset Council & Ors [2025] EWCA Civ 478. Sophie was also previously one of the co-authors of the financial remedy update in the FLBA’s “Family Affairs” publication.

Previous articles:

• Financial remedy update: Summer 2025
• Financial remedies update – May 2025

Sophie has contributed to Family Law Week and our Family Law Podcast channel and she regularly delivers seminars / training to solicitor clients.

Previous podcasts:

• What is the position on domestic abuse as ‘conduct’ in financial remedy proceedings?
• Case law update #3 – pFDR privilege and adverse inferences
• Case law update #4 – Parties to discharge of SGO and approach to fact-finding decisions

Previous seminars:

• Divorce and financial remedy case law update
• Taking a Stand(ish): has matrimonialisation gone too far?
• The intersection between coercive control and parental alienation

Awards and Recognitions

• Band 3 – Matrimonial Finance – Chambers and Partners (2026)
  • “Sophie Smith-Holland is recognised for her talent in financial remedy matters. She has noted expertise with forgery considerations and asset tracing”
  • “Sophie is a pleasure to work with and can be relied upon with confidence.”
  • “Sophie tackled a difficult opponent intelligently; she keeps her head cool under pressure and provides focused advice.”
  • “Sophie is an exceptional advocate, she works collaboratively with solicitors and is a real joy to work with.”
  • “Sophie is an excellent advocate who provides firm, but fair advice in an empathetic manner.”
  • “Sophie takes a proactive approach to each case and prepares with impressive thoroughness.”

• Tier 3 – Family: Children and Domestic Abuse – Legal 500
  • “Sophie is extremely thorough and diligent in her preparation, and her attention to detail is second-to-none. Her knowledge and experience is fantastic, and she is able to look at a case in creative ways to ensure that progress is made.” (2026)
  • “Sophie is always thoroughly prepared. She has an eye for detail and robustly represents clients in court. Her advice is always clear and concise.” (2025)

• Highly Commended Prize – Bar Council’s Law Reform Essay Competition
• Joseph Jackson Major Scholarship (Middle Temple)
• Blackstone Entrance Exhibition (Middle Temple)