Ian Bailey's former partner Jules Thomas takes case against their former solicitors

Jules Thomas is taking proceedings against Buttimer and Company Solicitors in a case relating to discovery of documents

Jules Thomas with her art at the market in Schull, West Cork. She has initiated legal proceedings in the High Court against a Cork law firm that previously represented them. Picture: Dan Linehan

The former partner of Ian Bailey has initiated legal proceedings in the High Court against a Cork law firm that previously represented them.

Artist Jules Thomas confirmed that she is taking proceedings against Buttimer and Company Solicitors in a case relating to discovery of documents. It is understood that the discovery being sought relates to a separate legal case, which she is taking against Netflix, production company Lightbox Media, and writer and director John Dower.

That action relates to the three-part Netflix documentary Sophie — a Murder in West Cork about the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

The 39-year-old French film producer was found battered to death outside her home in Toormore, Schull, on December 23, 1996. Nobody has ever been charged in Ireland with the murder.

Ms Thomas is representing herself in her action.

She is the former partner of Ian Bailey, who was found guilty in his absence, and without legal representation, of the murder a French court in 2019. Mr Bailey has always denied involvement.

Ms Thomas and Mr Bailey separated in 2021 after almost three decades together.

The murder spawned a number of productions, including the  West Cork Podcast by Sam Bungey and Jennifer Forde, Jim Sheridan’s Murder at the Cottage on Sky, and Sophie — a Murder in West Cork.

Murder at the Cottage included contributions from Ms Thomas, while the Netflix series did not.