Emma joined MK Law Solicitors in July 2019 having been called to the bar in 2016 and completing pupillage in 2018. Although regularly in the Crown Court, Emma’s passion has always been at the grass root level; assisting clients from the moment they are arrested.
Emma has an unwavering enthusiasm towards defence work, in particular youth and gang work where she has a well-established client base. She predominantly represents young males from deprived backgrounds and works closely with external agencies to ensure that those who she represents have ongoing support well after a case is concluded. This has become even more valuable in recent times with the rise of NRM referrals and Modern Slavery defences.
Despite being younger than most of her co-counsel Emma has a ferocious nature to advocacy and will not shy away from difficult submissions or standing up for what she feels is right. Her rigour means that she is a go-to advocate for difficult bail applications or sentencing.
To ensure that her clients’ defence is well tested and supported by evidence Emma is very detailed in her case preparation and often utilises wide-ranging expert reports. She has been able to build a large client base across London and greater London which is due to her client care and high acquittal rate. She will happily take calls from the police station and makes sure that she is the first point of contact for her clients.
Due to her unwavering dedication and commitment to both her clients and MK Law Emma was appointed as a Director looking after the Hackney office.
Notable cases:
R v S, Snaresbrook Crown Court – Section 18 GBH x 2 – defendant charged with Section 18 GBH relating to an incident where co-defendants had attempted to murder the defendant – on 3rd day of trial crown agree to a plea of Section 20 entered prior to trial starting.
R v O, Central Criminal Court, Conspiracy to possess firearms with intent, GBH – defendant acquitted following 6 week trial of all charges relating to numerous shootings across Hackney and East London
R V L, Snaresbrook Crown Court, Client charged with bringing illicit substances (drugs, phones, chargers) into the Dock at court when being sentenced with another matter. Successful defence of exploitation and found Not Guilty after crown offered no evidence on the day of trial.
R v Y, Bournemouth Crown Court, Jury return not guilty verdicts to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (County lines). The defence managed to obtain a large amount of evidence that client was a victim of modern slavery by way of criminal exploitation. The case started in 2018 and numerous requests for the CPS to review the case in line with the defence had been unsuccessful. The jury returned the not guilty verdicts in a matter of hours.
R V B, Woolwich Crown Court – Attempted Murder – Not Guilty after trial. Gangland shooting, defendant alleged to have attended home address of victim and discharge a firearm. Successful argument of mistaken identification.
R V N, Basildon Crown Court – Blackmail, Kidnap, GBH – Not Guilty after trial. Unanimous acquittal on all charges after three week trial. Defence of mistaken identification.
R v T, Maidstone Crown Court – Perverting the Course of Justice linked to murder – Guilty after 3 month trial.
- News article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-56920481
R v L, Bristol Crown Court – Murder – Defendant entered a guilty plea to murder after no defence raised from numerous psychiatric reports.
R v E, Snaresbrook Crown Court, Section 18 GBH x 4, PWITS x 2 -defendant charged with stabbing 4 males and then whilst on bail committing drugs offences
- News article: https://www.oxfordshirelive.co.uk/news/oxfordshire-news/bicester-dealer-jailed-after-police-6369499