Introduction
Emma joined St Philips in April 2023, having previously practised in London.
Emma specialises in all aspects of financial remedies, regularly being instructed by all type of client in matrimonial finance, Schedule 1 and Trusts of Land cases from pre-proceeding advice through to enforcement proceedings. Her practice includes cases involving considerable assets including companies, shares and pensions.
Additionally, she undertakes a range of private family law matters involving issues of domestic abuse, child arrangements and relocation which compliments her main practice.
She is thorough and meticulous in her preparation, having an ability to quickly cut to the key issues in the case. She is empathetic and has excellent client care skills, being particularly good in dealing with clients in stressful proceedings whilst maintaining a robust, no-nonsense but holistic approach to the case.
Emma is a strong negotiator, recognising the benefits of compromise and achieving favourable agreements for her clients whether by means of round table, court hearing or private non court dispute resolution. Equally, she adept in running contested hearings and appeals with effective results.
Emma regularly provides educational seminars and workshops to other members of the legal profession.
Notable Cases
- F v F (2024) – successfully defended the husband’s application for permission to appeal an unless order as a final financial remedy order and his application to stay proceedings in the interim, whereby the husband had repeatedly failed to provide disclosure or comply with court orders in a case which involved a large investment property portfolio. Additional orders and full legal costs were secured to assist the wife in implementing the final order.
- G v G (2024) – secured a favourable indication and negotiated a pleasing settlement at FDR for a husband who suffered with his mental health and a gambling addiction and whose wife sought to raise conduct and ‘addback’ arguments as a result of his expenditure of the matrimonial assets post separation.
- B v B (2024) – represented the wife in a 2 day final hearing dealing with the dissipation of her inheritance funds which included arguments over matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets and needs. A favourable outcome was obtained for the wife on the basis of need.
- S v S (2024) – Notice to Show Cause application on behalf of the wife 7 years following a final hearing in circumstances whereby the final order had not been effectively drafted or sealed by the court. The matter involved a further appeal by the husband which fairly settled the issues following a round table meeting, saving the risk of costs to both parties.
- B v B (2025) – represented the wife in a case involving the husband’s considerable shareholding in a business which he attempted to obfuscate. Expert evidence was obtained and successfully used to show the true value and liquidity of such shares to achieve a much more favourable settlement at FDR for the wife.
- J v J (2025) – represented the husband in a 2 day final hearing concerning issues of the wife’s failure to disclose property abroad and a business which provided her with additional undisclosed income. Expert evidence from lawyers abroad and independent witnesses were relied upon at the hearing and which ultimately assisted the husband in achieving a fairer final order made by the court.
- H v H (2025) – as a result of the husband’s failure to provided full and frank disclosure or properly complete his Form E, an application for contempt of court was made on behalf of the wife which resulted in a suspended prison sentence being ordered against him along with costs. Such order achieved the desired result with the husband finally disclosing the necessary financial information.
- A v A (2025) – represented the wife at a private FDR whereby the husband sought to rely on a separation agreement signed by the parties many years before. A favourable settlement was obtained for the wife notwithstanding the previous agreement.
- B v P (2025) – represented the husband in a TOLATA application to secure the transfer of his legal and beneficial interest in the family home in his favour which reflected part of an informal financial agreement made between the husband and wife several years before but which was never formalised and to which the wife opposed.
Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
West Midlands Family Law Bar Association
Resolution
Education
University of Hull and Universitaire de Robert Schuman, Strasbourg – LLB Law with French
Nottingham Law School – Bar Vocational Course
