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"Emma is a force to be reckoned with. She is knowledgeable, determined and ultra professional." Chambers and Partners 2023

"…Comprehensive knowledge of the law allied with a keen eye for detail, oft-needed objectivity and clarity of thinking with a very approachable manner makes for a formidable combination." Chambers and Partners 2024

"Emma is outstanding. Her analytical skills and ability to dissect complex areas of medicine set her out from her peers." The Legal 500 2024

Emma is an experienced and confident advocate who appears regularly in court as well as at joint settlement meetings (JSMs) and mediations.

Emma is a member of the Personal Injuries Bar Association Executive Committee, an Advocacy Trainer for Inner Temple, a co-author of a chapter on product liability in the medical context for Lewis and Buchan: Clinical Negligence and is a specialist contributor to the clinical negligence chapter of Bullen, Leake and Jacob’s Precedents of Pleadings. Emma is a member of Chambers’ Pupillage Committee and is a pupil supervisor.

Emma’s areas of practice include:

  • Clinical negligence
  • Abuse
  • Personal injury

Emma’s preference is for electronic instructions and paperless working.

Areas of expertise

Clinical Negligence

“Confident, tenacious, knowledgeable …” The Legal 500 2020

Emma acts for both claimants and defendants in clinical negligence cases and is regularly instructed by NHS Resolution (NHSR), private insurance companies and medical defence organisations as well as by claimants. Emma accepts instructions in all medical malpractice claims, and regularly deals with a wide range of cases including:

  • Birth injury claims
  • Fatal claims
  • Claims against opticians/optometrists/ophthalmologists
  • Plastic surgery cases
  • Dental cases
  • Consent claims
  • Cases involving incorrect diagnosis or delay in diagnosis.

Cases of note:

  • AB v St George's University Hospitals NHS Trust - Emma acted as junior counsel for the claimant in a high-value birth injury claim which settled shortly before trial for approximately £26.5m.
  • CD v East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust - Emma acted as junior counsel for the claimant in a birth injury claim which settled for around £13m.
  • Emma acted for the defendant in an unusual case involving transmittance of a disease from a donor organ after a transplant operation. It was one of the first reported instances of the particular disease being transmitted via a donor organ.
  • Emma acted for the defendant in a claim for uterine rupture sustained in labour. The injury occurred at an unusual location and arguments based on scope of duty were raised.
  • AMW v Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation - Emma acted for the defendant in a claim for failure to spot and treat cauda equina.
  • DD v Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - Emma acted in a case involving a negligent failure to act upon mucocele of the appendix. The appendix ruptured, causing cancerous cells to spread.

Personal Injury

Emma accepts instructions in all areas of personal injury work and acts for both Claimants and Defendants, although she has a special interest in historic abuse, fraud and fundamental dishonesty cases. Emma regularly advises on complex future loss issues.

Emma’s busy practice includes:

  • Fatal accidents;
  • Brain and head injury claims;
  • Spinal injury claims;
  • Amputation cases;
  • Claims involving Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia and Functional Neurological Disorder;
  • Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority claims and appeals; and
  • Inquests, including those involving care and nursing homes.
  • Accidents in the workplace, including issues of contractual indemnity between contractors and sub-contractors;
  • Occupiers’ liability cases;
  • Road traffic accidents;
  • Highways cases.

Notable Cases

  • Being led by Susan Rodway QC acting for over 80 Claimants in relation to the Grenfell Tower fire
  • Being led in the sports concussion litigation claims for the Claimants
  • Acted for a premier league football club in a historic sexual abuse claim
  • Acted for various schools defending historic sexual abuse claims
  • Acted as junior for a client involved in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse

Abuse

“A skilled advocate who handles difficult conferences well.”  The Legal 500 2021

Emma has developed a specialism in sexual abuse claims. She usually acts for defendants, including employers and organisations. Emma regularly deals with issues of limitation, vicarious liability and quantum in these cases.

Cases of note:

  • AA v BB - Advised a defendant in respect of a claim that they had knowingly had unprotected sex whilst carrying a serious sexually transmitted condition.
  • DKA v a premiership football club - Acted for the defendant football club in respect of a claim for damages for historic sexual abuse.
  • GKT v a schools association - Emma acted for the defendant association in respect of a claim for damages for historic sexual abuse.
  • IICSA v - Emma acted, led, for an ex-social services officer who was called to give evidence to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse about processes and knowledge in his department 30 years ago.
  • ODN v AB - Emma acted for the defendant in a claim where the defendant’s (now adult) child accused him of historic sex abuse.
  • PJS v a school - Emma acted for a school in respect of allegations that one of the teachers sexually abused a pupil in the late 1970s/early 1980s.

Recommendations

"Emma is an excellent personal injury lawyer. Comprehensive knowledge of the law allied with a keen eye for detail, oft-needed objectivity and clarity of thinking with a very approachable manner makes for a formidable combination." Chambers and Partners 2024

"Emma is a responsive and knowledgeable barrister, and is very good in court." Chambers and Partners 2024

"She is thoroughly dedicated and very smart. She is happy to think outside the box." Chambers and Partners 2024

"Emma is an excellent advocate and extremely approachable." Chambers and Partners 2024

"She is able to handle difficult situations with ease and shows a flexible and intuitive approach to cases." Chambers and Partners 2024

"She's very good on paper, very good with clients, very good in round tables or mediations and has a nice manner about her." Chambers and Partners 2024

"Emma is outstanding. Her analytical skills and ability to dissect complex areas of medicine set her out from her peers." The Legal 500 2024

"Emma is a real pleasure to work with. She is particularly good with experts. She provides really helpful, commercial advice and makes the complex seem simple." Chambers and Partners 2023

"Emma is an outstanding advocate who can think quickly on her feet and is tenacious when it comes to fighting for her clients." The Legal 500 2023

“An outstanding barrister with a sharp legal mind.” The Legal 500 2020

“Confident, tenacious, knowledgeable …” The Legal 500 2020

“Superb advocate.” The Legal 500 2020

“A skilled advocate who handles difficult conferences well, ensuring clients are at ease and fully understand the case.” The Legal 500 2021

“Her pleadings are incisive and reflect careful thought about the issues in the case.” The Legal 500 2021

"Emma is a force to be reckoned with. She is knowledgeable, determined and ultra professional." Chambers and Partners 2023

"Emma is a real pleasure to work with. She is particularly good with experts. She provides really helpful, commercial advice and makes the complex seem simple." Chambers and Partners 2023

"Emma is an outstanding advocate who can think quickly on her feet and is tenacious when it comes to fighting for her clients." The Legal 500 2023