Sophie Kerry

Associate in Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Education:

Sophie studied at Northumbria University Newcastle and completed an Integrated Masters including a Dissertation, a Qualifying Law Degree and exemption from the LPC.

Main Areas of Work:

• Landlord & Tenant disputes, both residential and commercial;
• TOLATA disputes;
• Boundary disputes;
• Contract disputes;
• Debt disputes.

Great / Notable achievements at Wake Smith:

• Recently acted in several successful residential possession proceedings where costs awarded outside of the usual fixed costs regime.
  
  

• Acting Solicitor in various successful claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointments of Trustees Act 1996, including obtaining either a high percentage or full costs award on several cases.

• Acting Solicitor at a successful Fast Track Trial for the Claimant, a company. Dispute regarding whether the Defendant, a de factor Director (also the Landlord of the Claimant) was entitled to retain monies from the Claimant’s company account for purported fees. Further, a counterclaim was entered regarding repayment of rent, it was successfully argued that there was a ‘rent free period’ supported by the Claimant’s financial accounts. The Claimant also beat a previous Part 36 Offer at trial meaning further costs penalties were paid on an indemnity basis with a penalty payment thereby achieving almost a full recovery of costs.

• Sophie is also an active member of our networking group Wake Smith Link, our Charity Board and our Wellbeing Group.

Recent articles by Sophie Kerry

Wake Smith litigator selected for UK200 Group’s David Turnall Award
Update - The Renters’ Rights Bill
The Renters’ Rights Bill: The Second Reading
The Renters' Rights Bill: A new era for tenants and landlords
Is returning a tenancy deposit by cheque enough to comply with obligations before service of a Section 21 Notice?
Tenants - Renewing a commercial lease
Accessing adjoining building owner's land
Can a landlord end a Commercial Tenancy to use the premises for their own purpose?
Estate agents’ failure highlights landlord obligations
Are your neighbours watching you?