Introduction
Sofia Ashraf completed pupillage at a mixed common law set with a particular focus on Costs, Commercial and Civil litigation including Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence, Insurance, Fraud and Credit Hire.
Prior to pupillage, Sofia spent the first five years of her practice employed by two separate top tier law firms. Initially, Sofia spent over three years as an advocate at national Legal 500 firm practising in Public and Regulatory law, Coronial law, Costs, Insurance, Fraud and Personal injury and Clinical Negligence. Sofia then joined an international Legal 100 firm where she spent almost two years specialising exclusively in Costs as well as managing her own team.
Having worked both in house and at the self employed Bar, Sofia prides herself on being able to bring a unique perspective to her practice.
Sofia accepts instructions in the following practice areas; Costs, Civil Litigation, Fraud, Credit Hire, Insurance, Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence, Coronial and Regulatory.
Away from the Bar, Sofia enjoys travel, cooking, swimming and studying languages. Sofia is fluent in French, Italian and Punjabi. She is also an avid Manchester City supporter, attending matches whenever her practice allows.
Personal Injury Costs and Case Management Conferences
Sofia has experience of conducting trials, applications, case management conferences and appeals in the civil courts and is predominantly instructed in respect of Personal Injury matters (Occupational Health/Disease, Road Traffic Accident, Employers’, Occupiers’ and Public Liability claims) in addition to Clinical Negligence matters.
Sofia also has experience of Coronial work including Article 2 Inquests. Sofia predominantly acts for Insurers, Public and Local Authorities, including the NHS and Health Care professionals. Where appropriate, Sofia is prepared to accept instructions on behalf of individuals/families on a Conditional Fee Agreement or Pro Bono basis.
Costs and Case Management Conferences
Sofia is an experienced costs practitioner and has specialised in costs litigation throughout her career. Sofia has a national practice and accepts instructions in all aspects of both inter-partes costs and Solicitor/own client disputes as well as matters pertaining to litigation funding issues.
Sofia is regularly instructed to advise and represent both paying and receiving parties in all aspects of costs litigation in the County Court, High Court and the SCCO.
Fraud and Allegations of Fraud
Sofia has considerable experience in cases where fraud is alleged or suspected, acting exclusively for Defendant insurers. In particular, Sofia has acted in cases involving staged, contrived and/or induced accidents, low velocity impact litigation, inconsistent damage, bogus passenger claims, fraud rings, personal injury claims involving exaggeration, holiday sickness claims, EL/PL fraud, theft, insurance policy fraud and matters involving Section 152 of the Road Traffic Act.
Sofia provides a cradle to grave service in respect of fraud matters and is particualry experienced in drafting robust pleadings in cases of suspected fraudulent activity as well as Part 20 Claims, Part 18 and Part 35 questions and interim applications.
Credit Hire
Sofia has substantial experience of credit hire litigation and is regularly instructed to provide advice and representation in this field particulalry in cases involving taxi credit hire litigation, commercial organisations and/or suspected fraudulent activity.
Regulatory
Sofia has experience of regulatory and disciplinary matters, particularly before the Teaching Regulation Agency, the Care Quality Commission, the General Medical Council and the Health, Education and Social Care Tribunal.
Sofia is particularly experienced in representing health care professionals in relation to matters arising out of misconduct and negligence.
Education
Bar Vocational Course – Nottingham Law School, 2009
Master of Laws – University of Nottingham, 2008
Bachelor of Laws (Hons) – Keele University and Université Montesquieu Bordeaux IV, 2007
Appointments and Memberships
The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
Personal Injury Bar Association
Testimonials
“Sofia is technically-minded with great commercial awareness, coupled with a professional and pragmatic approach.” Legal 500 2025
“Sofia is a first-class barrister and is very good technically. Her level of knowledge and expertise and range of specialisms would leave you thinking she has been at the Bar for far longer. She is very clever, personable and is a brilliant advocate who will always fight her client’s corner. Her attention to detail is fantastic and she leaves no stone unturned.” Legal 500 2025
“Sofia is an extremely bright, technically brilliant barrister who has outstanding drafting skills. She is very approachable and down-to-earth and will always give 100% when instructed on a case.” Legal 500 2024
“Sofia is very considerate in her advice and very patient with clients who are going through a very distressful period of their life. She provides concise advice that is easy to read for vulnerable clients. She is readily available if clients have any questions about their work, which is invaluable.” Legal 500 2023
“Sofia is conscientious, with great attention to detail. She is honest in her evaluation of evidence and the instructions. She is very approachable and extremely good with witnesses.” Legal 500 2023
Costs: Leading Junior, Tier 1 Ranked Legal 500 2022
Inquests and Inquiries: Leading Junior, Tier 1 Ranked Legal 500 2022
Personal Injury: Leading Junior, Tier 3 Ranked Legal 500 2022
Languages
English
French
Italian
Punjabi
