Emma Handley
Emma has recently accepted an offer of tenancy with St Pauls Chambers. She is accepting instructions on criminal, civil and regulatory matters.
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.
A developing career in criminal law
Emma has a keen interest in criminal defence and prosecution work. Her experience to date involves a number of trials in the Magistrates’ court and a number of interim hearings in the Crown court. She has been appointed as a grade 2 prosecutor.
A keen interest in prison law
Emma is particularly interested in developing her practice in prison law. She is a member of Amicus ALJ which is a death penalty charity and delivered a presentation for Amicus ALJ with Mark George QC last year to students at University of Law; Leeds and Bradford. Before pupillage Emma was an Intern at Metro Capital Defender, Atlanta, Georgia. During the internship Emma conducted multiple prison visits to both pre-trial and post-conviction detention centres. One particular case involved a prisoner remanded in custody on charges of homicide of a police officer who required urgent care for his own gunshot wounds. Emma was involved in preparing legal documents to petition the Court to allow the prisoner to obtain suitable healthcare.
During pupillage
During pupillage Emma assisted her pupil supervisor, Nick Worsley with various murder trials, which included preparing evidence put to the jury, drafting legal notes on hearsay and joint enterprise etc. Emma helped draft the grounds for permission to appeal a ruling by the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.
Experience in court
R v R (Sheffield Magistrates’ Court) – Emma represented a Defendant charged with possession of a bladed article and failing to stop for a police officer. Officers searched the car and found a lock knife, thousands of pounds worth of cash and a bank card. He also tested positive for class A drugs at the police station. The Defendant had a previous conviction for possession of a bladed article, so he faced a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 6 months immediate custody. Emma argued it would be unjust for the court to impose the mandatory minimum. He was sentenced to a 12 month community order, 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and fined £120 for the failing to stop.
R v A (Sheffield Magistrates’ Court) – Emma secured the conviction of a Defendant charged with s.39 assault by beating based solely on res gestae evidence.
R v G (Leeds Magistrates’ Court) – Emma represented a Defendant charged with stalking and s.39 assault by beating against his ex-wife. Emma persuaded the Prosecution to drop the s.39 assault by beating if the Defendant pleaded guilty to the stalking on a very limited basis (a conviction for violence would have resulted in the Defendant losing his job). She managed to persuade the Magistrates to impose a fine for the offence, having challenged the victim personal statement provided by the Complainant.
R v S (Doncaster Youth Court) – Emma persuaded the Prosecution and court to impose an out of court disposal for a youth charged with assaulting an emergency worker.
R v A (Leeds Crown Court) – currently instructed to prosecute a domestic violence related s.47 ABH and s.39 assault by beating. Various legal issues involved including hearsay, witness summonses, and a child witness.
We are delighted that on completion of her pupillage, Emma has accepted the offer of tenancy at St Pauls Chambers.
If you would like to book Emma please call chambers on 0113 2455866 and speak to one of the clerks.
Civil Experience
- Small claims – representing the Claimant and Defendant.
- Actions Against Police
- Fast Track Trials including cases involving fundamental dishonesty.
- Stage 3 and applications.
- Breach of civil injunctions (criminal/civil).
All Barristers
FILTER BY EXPERTISE
Please select on of the suggested variants.
