Sophie Fernando

I am a Director in the Family and Child Care departments at Duncan Lewis and have extensive experience in both public and private law children matters. I was admitted as a Solicitor in 2011 and have dedicated my career to advising and assisting parents and children at their most vulnerable when they need support navigating the legal system in respect of the most important issues facing their family lives. I recognise that this is likely to be one of the most daunting and overwhelming situations and I have an empathetic, calm yet proactive approach to ensure you are advised fully.

I supervise a team of solicitors, trainee solicitors and paralegals with a large amount of expertise who share my commitment and dedication to this very sensitive and important area of law. My team runs a number of Pro Bono legal surgeries, assisting the most vulnerable. In relation to public law matters my work includes:

• Care Orders
• Emergency Protection Orders
• Supervision Orders
• Secure Accommodation Orders
• Deprivation of Liberty Orders
• Applications to Discharge Care Orders
• Special Guardianship Orders
• Adoption and Placement Orders including revocation of Placement Orders

I frequently act for the following:

• Vulnerable parents including those with mental health issues and learning difficulties
• Parents lacking capacity including where the official Solicitor is required
• Parents with drug and alcohol issues
• Young parents
• Complex non accidental injury matters including where the child has sadly died
• Cases involving allegations of sexual abuse, emotional and or physical harm
• Cases involving sexual exploitation
• Grandparents and other relatives that may require representation within care proceedings

I undertake Private Law Children matters including:

• Contact
• Residence Disputes
• Prohibited Steps Orders
• Specific Issues Orders
• Parental Responsibility
• Domestic Violence matters including Non Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders

I also undertake my own advocacy at Court. I have been a member of the Law Society's Children Panel since 2015 which means I have achieved a high level of competence and knowledge in the area of children law and the representation of children and therefore I regularly represent children of all ages. This includes separately representing children from their CAFCASS Guardian if the child is competent. I take an empathetic, patient and clear approach, ensuring that the child's wishes and feelings are before the court clearly and their voice is heard. I am ranked and recognised by Legal 500 as a specialist in my field for Child Care and Family.

• View Sophie Fernando’s "Domestic Violence" profile
• View Sophie Fernando’s "Adoption" profile
• View Sophie Fernando’s "Deprivation of Liberty Applications" profile

• LPC
• Graduate Diploma in Law
• English Literature and History Degree - Kingston University

• Family and Childcare Director - Duncan Lewis Solicitors (December 2015 - Present)
• Admitted as a Solicitor (February 2011)
• Duncan Lewis Solicitors (2008 - Present)

• Recommended Lawyer - The Legal 500 (2024, 2022 & 2021)

Court of Appeal

• FL (A Child), Re [2020] EWCA Civ 20 (22 January 2020) (16 June 2020)

• FL (A Child), Re [2020] EWCA Civ 20 (22 January 2020) (16 June 2020)

• Member of the Children’s Panel

• Cooking
• Gardening
• Reading