A SIMPLE ceremony held at the High Court in Georgetown, on Friday, saw attorney-at-law Sophie Noelette Stanbrook, a British Overseas Territory Citizen (BOTC), being formally admitted to the Guyana Bar. Presiding over the proceedings which marked the expansion of Stanbrook’s illustrious career to this South American nation was Justice Damone Younge.

Her journey to the local Bar has been one of dedication, having been called to the English Bar in 1999. Born on December 25, 1973, Stanbrook completed her undergraduate law degree at the University of Leicester in England. Upon relocating to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) in the Caribbean, she became a BOTC and was admitted to the TCI Bar in 2012.

Stanbrook is in good standing as an attorney in the British Overseas Territory and in 2018, she co-founded the law firm Stanbrook Prudhoe in TCI.

Her practice is vast, and includes high-value mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate development, and negotiations with various financial institutions and government departments, has earned her a stellar reputation on the island. Her work, often multi-jurisdictional, has made her a sought-after legal expert, highly regarded by her colleagues.

Her commitment to mentoring young lawyers and her advocacy for gender equality in the legal profession, led Stanbrook to found Women in Law TCI.
She also serves as a Council member for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) and Co-convenor of the Human Rights and Rule of Law Committee, Commonwealth Lawyers Association. Additionally, she co-convenes the Human Rights and Rule of Law Committee within the association.

Stanbrook graduated from The Eugene Dupuch Law School of The Bahamas with a Legal Education Certificate (LEC) in April of this year, qualifying her for admission to the Guyana Bar.
Attorney-at-Law, Mohamed Ali, who presented Stanbrook’s petition, commended her for her outstanding character, professional achievements, and dedication to her family, being a wife and mother of four children.
He ended his address with an inspirational quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

During the ceremony, Stanbrook expressed gratitude to the court for granting her petition and shared her eagerness to contribute to the legal landscape in Guyana.
In closing, Justice Younge congratulated Stanbrook on her admission to the Guyana Bar and encouraged her to uphold the principles of the attorney’s oath. “I see that you have been an attorney for quite some time. So, I know that you know what is expected of you.”
Also present at Friday’s ceremony was Stanbrook’s husband, Simone Gnoni,  Khemraj Ramotar Mangru, Tharmila Kumarie Singh amongst others.