Sophy Tuck
Call 2019
Overview
Sophy joined chambers in July 2022 following the successful completion of her pupillage under the supervision of Donald Lilly, Tiran Nersessian, Gregory Denton-Cox, and Tom Gentleman. She accepts instructions across the full spectrum of work undertaken by Chambers, including insolvency, company law, commercial litigation and civil fraud.
Before coming to the Bar, Sophy read Classics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. During her Masters degree in Late Antique History, she was the co-founder of a tech start-up, and maintains an interest in computer programming.
Areas of expertise
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Insolvency & Restructuring
- Re CGL Realisations Ltd (formerly Comet Group Ltd) (In Liquidation) – as a pupil, Sophy assisted Tiran Nersessian (led by Andreas Gledhill QC) in a case concerning associated companies and preferences under s. 239 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
- Sophy advised (as a pupil assisting Tiran Nersessian) the former directors of an insolvent construction company as to the merits of claims against them for misfeasance under s. 212 of the Insolvency Act 1986 and/or transactions at an undervalue under s. 238 of the Insolvency Act 1986 and/or preferences under s. 239 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
- As a pupil, Sophy assisted on a Guernsey case concerning allegations of misfeasance and unlawful means conspiracy against the former directors of an international construction company.
- Sophy advised (as a pupil assisting Tom Gentleman) the supervisor of a CVA about the proper use of CVA funds in relation to litigation threatened against the company
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Company Law
- Re Compound Photonics Group Limited – an unfair prejudice petition under s. 994 of the Companies Act 2006 concerning an optical technology company. As a pupil, Sophy assisted Donald Lilly (with Orlando Fraser QC) on behalf of the majority shareholders.
- Sophy assisted (as pupil to Gregory Denton-Cox) in drafting pleadings for an unfair prejudice petition under s. 994 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to an ethical fashion business.
- As a pupil, Sophy also advised on whether directors’ indemnity insurance could cover the costs of resisting an unfair prejudice petition.
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Commercial Dispute Resolution
As a pupil, Sophy assisted in advising a bank on the enforceability of a complex guarantee structure.
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Fraud: Civil
- Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse and ors – as a pupil, Sophy assisted Tom Gentleman (led by Andrew Hunter QC and Sharif Shivji QC) in a case concerning allegations of bribery and unlawful means conspiracy.
- Patel v Iqbal – as a pupil, Sophy assisted Donald Lilly in a case concerning the breach of a settlement contract to repay sums which had been misappropriated from a construction business.
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Offshore Litigation
- As a pupil, Sophy assisted on a Guernsey case concerning allegations of misfeasance and unlawful means conspiracy against the former directors of an international construction company.
- As a pupil, Sophy has assisted on several matters involving BVI company law. She assisted Tom Gentleman in drafting particulars for a potential claim by shareholders against directors who had refused to transfer shares in breach of the company’s articles.
- Sophy also advised (as a pupil) on a potential application for joining directors as parties to a shareholder dispute and, separately, a potential application for third party costs against the directors of a trust company.
- Sophy advised (as a pupil, assisting Donald Lilly) on the effect of insolvency on a suite of loan and guarantee contracts between a number of Bermudan entities.
Other information
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Education & Awards
- BA (Hons) in Litterae Humaniores (Classics), Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford
- MSt in Late Antique and Byzantine History (Distinction), University of Oxford
- GDL (Distinction), University of Law
- BPTC, University of Law
- Astbury Scholarship (Middle Temple)
- De Paravinci Prize for Best Roman History Thesis (University of Oxford)
- Charles Oldham Scholarship for First Class at Honours Moderations (Corpus Christi College, Oxford)
