Emma Handley
Emma has recently accepted an offer of tenancy with St Pauls Chambers. She is accepting instructions on criminal, civil and regulatory matters.
Secure email:
| [email protected] |
Education and Appointments
Education
BPP University Manchester (2018 – 2019)
BPTC – Very Competent
Masters – Legal Practice (Barristers) LLM – Distinction
University of York (2015 – 2018)
Law LLB (Hons) Degree – First Class
Memberships and Appointments
- Gray’s Inn
- BPP University Law School – Awarded BPTC Excellence Scholarship (2018)
- Member of Amicus ALJ – death penalty charity
Grade 2 Prosecutor
Before pupillage
- Experience working with young defendants (Appropriate Adult/Streetlaw). Emma has since represented multiple defendants at the Youth Court.
- Experience working with vulnerable and intimidated witnesses and Complainants (Witness Service and Outreach Service). Emma has experience representing clients with learning difficulties and/or mental health issues.
- Intern at Metro Capital Defender, Atlanta, Georgia. Prepared cross-examinations for a witness deposition, skeleton arguments, Emma drafted an agreement for a proffer session with the District Attorney, carried out investigation trips for the purpose of obtaining mitigation, legal research and case management. Emma’s caseload included a 20 year defendant charged with multiple homicide and a defendant involved in a police shooting, both facing the death penalty.
All Barristers
Criminal Law
Emma regularly appears for the prosecution and defence in jury trials in the Crown Court, Magistrates’ Court and Youth Court in cases involving serious violence, sexual offences, firearms, drugs, dishonesty offences, road traffic and domestic violence. Emma has experience conducting Ground Rules Hearings and Section 28 cross examinations with young and/or vulnerable witnesses in cases involving serious sexual offences (rape/sexual assault) and violence (section 18). Emma has experience dealing with complex legal arguments including abuse of process; applications to dismiss and submissions of no case to answer.
Since 2021, Emma has been instructed by the Serious Fraud Office as disclosure counsel in the prosecution of individuals accused of carrying out a fraudulent scheme to divert money from a legal financing fund for their own benefit, the trial resulted in the successful prosecution of a solicitor, who has since received a sentence of 14 years. Following the completion of the disclosure stage, the SFO has continued to instruct Emma on further cases. Emma is currently involved in the investigation of an international firm allegedly involved in bribery and fraud. Emma has also been instructed by the CPS Specialist Fraud Division and HMRC as independent counsel to review and advise on legal professional privilege.
Parole Board
Emma is frequently instructed to represent offenders facing parole boards hearings for a range of serious offences including murder, sexual offences, violence and dishonesty offences. Emma has experience dealing with offenders on IPP and recall sentences.
Actions Against the Police
Emma represents claimants in Civil Actions Against the Police alleging false imprisonment, wrongful arrest, trespass to person and property. Emma’s involvement in the case starts from the pre-action stage through to conducting the trials on the multi-Track. Emma is experienced at dealing with the pre-trial hearings including applications for disclosure; CCMCs and pre-trial reviews. Recent settlements include a case involving a Claimant arrested for domestic abuse related offences, the police conceded following the service of Emma’s pleadings that the arrest was unlawful. In 2022, Emma successfully secured positive results for Claimants in two cases against South Yorkshire Police following multi-day jury trials. During the trials, Emma had to deal with various legal arguments, cross-examine officers about the Codes of Practice and legal guidance and present persuasive closing speeches. In the first trial, Emma secured a rare finding from the jury that the Claimant was falsely imprisoned due to the officer’s failure to inform the Claimant he was under arrest at the scene. In the second trial, following detailed written submissions, the Judge found it was not necessary to arrest the Claimant who at the time was a vulnerable youth.
Notable Cases
R v H [Sheffield Crown Court; 2021] – Emma prosecuted an attempted robbery at Sheffield Crown Court. The case involved issues with identification and DNA evidence. During the trial Emma successfully opposed a submission of no case to answer. Following a unanimous guilty verdict, the Defendant was deemed dangerous, and an extended sentence of 8 years imposed.
R v W & M [Leeds Youth Court; 2021] – Emma successfully prosecuted two youths charged with robbery of a vulnerable Complainant. During the multi-day trial Emma was required to address issues such as joint enterprise, duress, and Modern Slavery.
R v T [Hull Crown Court; 2022] – Emma defended a Defendant charged with robbery, two counts of possession of a bladed article in a public place, multiple thefts, and assault with intent to resist arrest. Emma successfully argued against the imposition of an extended determinate sentence. A sentence of 4 years 10 months was passed reflecting the totality of the offences charged.
R v B [Leeds Crown Court; 2021] – Emma prosecuted a section 20 GBH and racially aggravated public order trial. The jury trial involved the use of a dog as a weapon.
R v H [Bradford Crown Court; 2021] – Emma secured a suspended sentence for a Defendant charged with Dangerous Driving in Bradford, during the commission of the offence the Defendant hit a police officer. Emma relied on the Defendant’s lack of previous convictions, young age and reliance on the guidelines to persuade the Judge to step back from an immediate custodial sentence.
Emma assisted Simon Myerson QC in a multi-million-pound civil claim against two major banks. The case involved detailed legal submissions addressing the Limitation Act 1980, specifically the date of concealment and knowledge.
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