Sophie Kerry
Associate in Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Department:
LitigationExperience:
3 years
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.
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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.
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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
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?