Public Law & Human Rights

Emma has a busy and varied public law and human rights practice. She routinely advises in human rights claims brought in the course of and following inquests, and has particular expertise in claims involving gender based violence, the treatment of prisoners, and public law at the intersection of national security and human rights.

Selected Cases

  • R (on the application of EPX) v Secretary of State for Defence [2026] EWHC 108 (Admin) Acting for two female members of the armed forces challenging Ministry of Defence policies prohibiting unauthorised contact by service personnel with journalists and MPs in relation to allegations of assault, harassment and bullying. See more here.
  • Re AA and Others [2026] EWHC 317 (Fam) Acted on behalf of the Department of Health in a case concerning the storage and use of embryos, see more here.
  • Acting on behalf of a woman who suffered a serious sexual assault by a former partner in a human rights claim against the National Probation Service.
  • Acting on behalf of two health boards in a claim for personal and human rights breaches bought by a serving prisoner who died in prison.
  • Foxley v Ministry of Defence [2026] EWHC 673 (KB) Acted on behalf of the Ministry of Defence in a complex claim at the intersection of public and commercial law involving applications for public immunity, confidentiality and summary judgment. See more here.
  • Acted for the successful applicant in a contempt permission hearing. See more here.
  • Successful in a trial concerning the strip searching of prisoners and allegations of breach of Article 3 ECHR. See more here.
  • Settled a substantial human rights claim against the police brought in the course of an inquest concerning fatal domestic violence on behalf of surviving family members.
  • Duarte Agostinho & 5 Others v Portugal & 32 Others Instructed by Save the Children in a case before the European Court of Human Rights. See more here.
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“Emma is a brilliant advocate and is excellent with family members. She gives good commercial advice and is adept at managing expectations.”

Chambers & Partners 2026

“Emma-Louise is exceptionally skilled. She is a fearless advocate who demonstrates incredible strength in court, and has the ability to assimilate information quickly and use it to powerful effect.’”

Legal 500 2024

“She has a great deal of experience in inquests and other inquiries. She was very knowledgeable in terms of coronial law. Her client care skills were very, very empathetic.”

Chambers & Partners 2024

“She is always on top of the material, and commands the respect of the coroner. She is also able to handle tricky situations and clients with ease.”

Legal 500 2023

Appointments

  • Attorney General’s B Panel of Civil Counsel (2023 – present)
  • Bar Standards Board Independent Decision Making Body (2021 – 2024)
  • Attorney General’s C Panel of Civil Counsel (2020 – 2023)
  • Vice-Chair Human Rights Lawyers Association (2017 – 2020)

Awards

  • Barrister of the Year – Inspirational Women in Law Awards 2024
  • South Eastern Circuit Advanced Trial Advocacy Scholarship, Florida
  • Lady Templeman Award, Middle Temple
  • Jules Thorn Scholarship & Blackstone Exhibition Award, Middle Temple
  • Satter Human Rights Fellowship, Harvard Law School
  • JFK Award for post-graduate study, National University of Ireland
  • Julian Prize for 2nd place overall in degree results, Trinity College Dublin
  • Scholar, Trinity College Dublin
  • Entrance Exhibition Award, Trinity College Dublin

Education

  • BPTC, BPP London
  • LLM, Harvard Law School
  • LLB, Trinity College Dublin

Memberships

  • HRLA
  • PNBA
  • ALBA
  • BHRC
  • PIBA

Publications

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