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Areas of expertise

Professional information

• 2022: Admitted to the Faculty of Advocates

• 2021-2022: Devil, Faculty Scholar. Devilmasters: Ross McClelland KC, Susan Ower KC and Wendy Culross

• 2012-2021: Trainee solicitor, associate and then senior associate, CMS

• 2010-2011: Legal Assistant, Scottish Law Commission (Contract and Trusts)

• 2010 and 2012: LL.B (First Class Honours) and Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Strathclyde

Professional experience

Emma called to the Bar in 2022 as a Faculty Scholar, following seven years in practice as a solicitor.

Emma’s practice focuses on commercial dispute resolution, with particular experience in contract, technology, and financial services matters.  She frequently acts in relation to company and corporate law issues (particularly unfair prejudice, directors’ duties and share purchase matters), together with corporate and personal insolvency issues.  She also regularly acts in property, construction and professional indemnity matters.

Emma has significant experience in group proceedings and has been involved in a number of the leading reported decisions in this emerging field in Scotland.  She has appeared as sole counsel, and has been led by senior, at all levels of the court system in Scotland. Her experience also includes alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration.

Emma brings clarity, calm, and commercial insight to complex disputes. Clients value her ability to explain issues in plain language, and focus on what truly matters for their business or personal position.  Clients often remark on Emma’s approachable style and her ability to make even the most technical issues feel manageable. She is known for being well‑prepared, responsive and strategic, with a steady focus on achieving practical outcomes for those she represents.  Emma has acted on behalf of a range of clients, including private and public companies, partnerships, entrepreneurs/founders, financial institutions, regulators, public authorities, family businesses and private individuals, including directors and shareholders.

Notable cases

Group proceedings

Campbell v James Finlay (Kenya) Ltd 2024 S.C. 139, 2023 S.L.T. 856: led by the Lord Davidson of Glen Clova K.C. and Alasdair McKenzie K.C. in group proceedings concerning Kenyan tea plantations

Milligan v Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc 2025 S.C. 388: led by the Lord Davidson of Glen Clova K.C. in group proceedings concerning diesel emissions

Bridgehouse v Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft 2024 S.C. 270: led by the Lord Davidson of Glen Clova K.C. in group proceedings concerning diesel emissions

Client confidential: led by the Dean of Faculty, R W Dunlop K.C., acting on behalf of defender facing group proceedings concerning criminal cyber-attack and consequent data breach

Corporate

Murray v Atlas FM Ltd [2026] CSOH 61: sole counsel for the defenders in breach of contract claim under share purchase agreement to acquire Scottish facilities management company

Client confidential: led by Kenny McBrearty K.C. in breach of joint venture agreement and unlawful means conspiracy claim in the Scottish renewables sector

Clients confidential: acting for both those pursuing and defending directors’ duties claims in both solvent and insolvent scenarios

Clients confidential: representation of shareholders in unfair prejudice matters across a variety of sectors, including financial services, logistics and hospitality/tourism

Clients confidential: acting on behalf of corporates in variety of applications under the Companies Act 2006, including rectification, capital reduction and late registration of charges

Insolvency and banking

Innovate UK Loans Ltd v Wootzano Ltd 2025 S.L.T. 1354: sole counsel in liquidation of robotics company

Joint Administrators of Signal Real Estate Opportunities (Lux) Investco IX SARL (In Administration), Noters 2024 S.L.T. 1053: led by David Thomson K.C. in administration directions application concerning cross-border insolvency in Luxembourg

Emma frequently acts on behalf of insolvency practitioners and others in a variety of statutory applications under the Insolvency Act 1986.  She has experience in remuneration, the prescribed part, reuse of prohibited company names, sists and recalls in liquidations, block transfers and the variety of directions, and extensions, which may be required in complex administrations.

Property

Malcolm v Paton [2026] SAC (Civ) 28, [2025] SC HAM 55: sole counsel in dispute concerning what amounts to interest to enforce a community burden and the statutory limits of “material detriment” pursuant to section 8 of the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003

Rutland Court Real Estate v Anderson Strathern LLP [2025] CSOH 25: led by David Thomson K.C. in dilapidations dispute concerning the proper remit and jurisdiction of a court appointed reporter

Client confidential: acting on behalf of major UK shopping centre in commercial lease irritancy matter, led by David Thomson K.C.

Client confidential: acting on behalf of manufacturer in water pollution dispute

Client confidential: acting on behalf of leading Scottish golf course in property and services dispute

Professional negligence and indemnity  

Kidd v Lime Rock Management LLP 2024 S.L.T. 347: led by Dean of Faculty, R W Dunlop K.C. and Chris Paterson K.C. in successful defence of solicitors facing alleged fraudulent conspiracy claim concerning a private equity transaction

Clients confidential: successful defence of a variety of professionals, including solicitors, insolvency practitioners, accountants, architects, project managers, engineers and private wealth managers

Construction

Client confidential: sole counsel in claim and counterclaim concerning defects in student accommodation projects in Edinburgh

Public authorities, regulators and media

Simply Inverness Ltd v Highland Council (Comhairle Na Gaidhealtachd) 2025 S.L.T. (SAC) 52: led by Dan Byrne K.C. in care home operator’s appeal against imposition of penalty in respect of non-domestic rates by local authority

McKenzie v Edinburgh City Council 2023 S.L.T. (Sh Ct) 127: sole counsel in pro bono matter concerning the protection of alimentary payments governed by section 187 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 from arrestment

Client confidential: led by Kenny McBrearty K.C. in urgent interim orders matter concerning defamation and breach of Article 8 ECHR rights in televised documentary

Client confidential: led by Lord Keen of Elie K.C. on behalf of developer successfully pursuing recovery of statutory cost contributions from public authority

Directories

• Chambers & Partners: Recommended as a solicitor in Litigation Scotland and Banking Litigation Scotland (Band 1 team and individual “Associate to Watch” ranking – 2019-2021)

• Legal 500: Recommended as a solicitor in Commercial Litigation Scotland (Band 1 team and individual “Rising Star” ranking – 2019-2021)

• Rising Star of the Year finalist, Scottish Legal Awards (2020)

• Junior Solicitor of the Year, Herald Law Awards of Scotland (2019)

Select publications

• On level ground? 2010 JLSS, 55(5), 9 (Winner of Access to Justice Foundation Essay Prize, 2010)