About Sophie Bell
Sophie joined Hodge Jones & Allen in October 2008. She was admitted as a solicitor in 2005, was appointed associate in July 2012 and was promoted to Senior Associate in April 2015. In April 2016 Sophie was promoted to a partner in the housing and property team within the firm. She deals with a wide variety of housing cases including possession and eviction matters, homeless applications and appeals and disrepair cases. She is also experienced in bringing Judicial Review matters. Sophie takes a sympathetic and efficient approach to her cases to try and ensure the best outcome for her clients in the shortest possible time.
Sophie is a recommended lawyer in Chambers 2024 and Legal 500, 2024.
"Sophie Bell's high level of customer service could not be exceeded and she responded promptly to enquiries. She took me into consideration and took care to break down information into small chunks when she picked up on my being unsure or confused." - Chambers UK, 2024
Notable Cases
- Sophie takes on complex and unusual cases and recently obtained a positive outcome for an elderly and vulnerable client who had been unlawfully evicted from his home by a property company who wished to develop the house and sell it on for profit. There were further complicating issues as the client’s name was not on the title deeds for the property and the lawful owner appeared to be deceased. Claims were brought against the property company and persons unknown and she was successful in obtaining a possession order against the company and an agreement that they would pay the client compensation of £13,000. She was also able to obtain an order to declare that the client was the sole legal owner of the house.
“You managed to turn the case around from us facing eviction to getting what we needed.”
"Fantastic service from Sophie Bell. Highly recommend. 5 STAR."
Client Comments
- “Sophie Bell was the best in helping us with our housing situation, her and her team inc Elisabeth were all amazing in resolving our situation as we were getting nowhere with the council. Best solicitors, highly recommended.”
- “Ms Bell made the experience as painless as possible and I had a total trust in the professionalism of the team and HJA. I was listened to.”
- “Sophie was with us every step of the way guiding us. Can honestly say without her help we would never of got the outcome we did.”
- “Sophie was dedicated, supportive and determined. She always went the extra mile. Her level of expertise in housing law is to a standard of excellence. Thank you Sophie.”
- “My mother and I are really impressed at how thorough and tenacious Ms Sophie Bell and her team were with our claim. Sophie Bell’s stance is extremely encouraging and reassuring. Ms Bell has considerable expertise in the representation in claims in Housing Disrepair – absolutely brilliant. We are very impressed”……“extremely knowledgeable and experienced, with a practical and pragmatic approach”……“incisive and attentive, responding instantly to queries with clear answers”……“thorough and commercially minded”……“focused entirely on the aims of the client”……“wealth of experience and strong commercial views.” Thank You!”
- “I have received nothing less than professional service from a team who were highly respectful at all times. Sophie Bell when communicating to me understood that one of my named disability conditions included mind fog and was always at hand to break down what was happening in my case in small chunks. There was nothing about their service that could be deemed clinical. My housing case challenge against my local authority was successful. I highly recommend Hodge Jones & Allen”
- “I have only great things to say. HJA always answer the phone, get back to emails, they’re always lovely to talk to, they put my mind at ease by helping me every step of the way to understand the process and keep me up to date on what’s going on. I am so please with the results. Thing get moving, they act on your behalf so you have a voice that is heard.”
- “The solicitor I saw [Sophie Bell] was friendly, professional and constantly kept me updated with my case. She was always approachable and answered any questions I might have had promptly. I would definitely recommend them to others.”
Career & Personal Interests
Career
Sophie has practised as a solicitor for 14 years and as a housing law specialist for over 14 of those. Prior to training as a solicitor she worked as a paralegal for a year and also worked for the Drug Action Team at Hackney Council
Education
- Law, University College London, 2.1
- Legal Practice Course, Distinction
Personal Interests
Sophie is an avid swimmer and enjoys the theatre and good food. She also plays the flute in an amateur orchestra.
Blog
