Sophie Kemp

Sophie Kemp is Head of Kingsley Napley’s Public Law Team and a leading specialist in complex public, regulatory and ESG‑related matters. She is ranked Band 1 in Chambers UK for Administrative & Public Law and for Public Inquiries, and is also recognised in Chambers Global for Business & Human Rights. Known for her strategic insight and calm judgement, she advises high‑profile individuals and leading organisations on issues at the intersection of legal, political and commercial risk. She is recognised as “one of the leading public law lawyers” and a “world class operator” (Chambers 2026)
 

Sophie is Vice Chair of the City of London Law Society’s ESG Committee and a speaker at global industry forums. 

Judicial Review
 

Sophie has extensive experience acting for corporates, NGOs, regulators and public bodies and officials in high‑stakes judicial review cases, including those involving regulatory intervention, ESG obligations and market‑shaping government policy, as well as planning and procurement

Notable cases include:

• Acting for the Independent Schools Council in its high-profile challenge to the Chancellor’s decision to impose VAT on independent school fees.
• Successfully defending the Payment Systems Regulator in the first challenge to its decision making under the Payment Systems Regulations 2017
• Representing Spotlight on Corruption in the landmark Uyghur forced‑labour supply‑chain litigation before the Court of Appeal, for which she and team were awarded Legal Development of Year by Global Investigations Review
• Acting for the International Commission of Jurists in the Supreme Court case Okpabi v Shell, a seminal decision on corporate human‑rights accountability.

Public Inquiries
 

Sophie is Band 1‑ranked for her inquiries work and advises on some of the UK’s most high‑profile investigations.

She has acted in:

• The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry (POHITI) acting for senior executives.
• The Covid‑19 Inquiry acting for a significant high-profile witness
• The Undercover Policing Inquiry (major witness)
• IICSA (Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse) for a major core participant
• The Brook House Inquiry (significant witness)

Independent Reviews
 

Sophie is instructed as the solicitor to Independent Reviews in governance and organisational‑risk reviews.

Key reviews include:

• Independent Isle of Man Covid Review, where she advised the Chair of the Review
• Alison Levitt KC’s RICS Treasury Management Review, acting as Solicitor to the Review in a significant governance and audit‑failure investigation.

ESG & Business and Human Rights
 

Sophie is internationally recognised for her ESG and Business & Human Rights expertise and regularly advises on regulatory risk and cross‑border liability and litigation. She is ranked in Chambers Global for her BHR practice and was part of the team recognised by Global Investigations Review for “Legal Development of the Year” in connection with their work on the Uighar challenge to the NCA’s decision.

Her work includes:

• Okpabi & Others v Royal Dutch Shell Plc & another [2021] UKSC 3
• Leading research on human‑rights due diligence enforcement for CORE, Traidcraft and BHRRC.
• Vice Chair, City of London Law Society ESG Committee.
• Contributor to Albrastas on greenwashing and sustainability claims.
• Speaker at the Global Aluminium Can Sustainability Summit (during LME Week).

WHAT CLIENTS AND DIRECTORIES HAVE SAID

Sophie Kemp is a trusted advisor. Her advice is tailored to her clients’ needs and is always first rate. She is supportive, approachable and a delight to work with. You feel confident with her in your corner."

Legal 500 UK 2023

She really listens and understands where clients are coming from and provides sound advice."

Chambers and Partners, 2022

She is ferociously hard-working and her client handling is incredible."

Chambers and Partners, 2022

Sophie Kemp – absolutely outstanding in helping me think through some very complex issues; very patient and also clear and concise.”

Legal 500 2022

Sophie Kemp combines high level knowledge of the law with a very personal approach.”

Legal 500 2022

Sophie Kemp is an immensely able professional. We have been working with her for five years now. What is outstanding is her capacity to manage complex issues in the wider context and to provide excellent legal advice, whilst still acknowledging the human realities which underpin public law issues. She is consummate and a caring professional and human being."

Legal 500 UK 2021

Stand-out partner Sophie Kemp.... They are market leaders, but maintain a courteous manner in dealing with opponents, all the while protecting their client’s interests to the best of their ability. They are genuinely interested in and impressive contributors to public law."

Legal 500 UK 2021

Sophie Kemp in particular, is intellectually talented, but also highly pragmatic. She represents her clients' interests vigorously, but fairly, and it is always a pleasure to work with, and more strikingly, against her."

Legal 500 UK 2021

Substantial expertise in major public inquiries and inquests."

Legal 500 UK 2019

‘very sharp’ and ‘a delight to work with’"

Legal 500 UK 2017

...grasps complex issues quickly and comprehensively."

Legal 500 UK 2015

Solid and thoughtful" approach to sensitive cases."

Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the Legal Profession 2012

Praised by clients for the high quality of her advice, which is "in touch with reality, not driven by emotion or money."'

Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the Legal Profession 2011