Emma Gatland

Call: 2013

‘Emma is a first-choice barrister for complex children matters. She is a barrister at the top of her game. She is fiercely intelligent, an exceptional advocate and always two steps ahead of everybody else. She has a thorough and tactical approach to the case from the outset.’
Legal 500 UK Bar 2025

Before studying law in 2011, Emma enjoyed a successful career in academia as a Fellow and Lecturer in Modern Languages, first at the University of Oxford and then at the University of Cambridge. She published many books and journal articles in her field of research.

Emma was called to the Bar and joined Harcourt Chambers in 2013. She specialises in children work (public and private family law). She is recognised by those who instruct her as having experience and ability considerably beyond her year of Call.

To instruct Emma or for more information…

Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk

Practice Areas

Emma has a wealth of experience representing local authorities, parents, children, and interveners in public law proceedings. Her cases have covered the most serious of issues, including neglect, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health, fabricated or induced illness, sexual and physical abuse, and non-accidental injury.

Emma is regularly led by King’s Counsel in particularly complex cases.

Notable Public Law Children cases


Wokingham Borough Council v The Mother & Ors [2024] EWFC 273 (B)

Final hearing of care proceedings concerning two teenaged children, following findings that parents had assaulted them. Care orders made, with plan of long-term foster care.


A Local Authority v The Mother & Ors [2023] EWFC 90

Emma, instructed by Reeds Solicitors, appeared on behalf of A (a child) the Third Respondent acting through their Children’s Guardian in an application by father for disclosure of various pieces of information in relation to public law proceedings.


Re E and H (Care Proceedings – Alleged FII – Costs) [2023] EWFC 69

Care proceedings, issued following concerns that mother had fabricated or induced illness in the children. No such findings made. Application for costs by parents.


Re T (No.2) (Care Proceedings : Fact-Finding : Genital Injuries : Supplemental judgment for publication) [2021] EWFC 101
Re AB (Children) (Care & Placement Orders) [2021] EWFC B34 (23 April 2021)

Applications for care and placement orders. The care plan was for the children to be placed together by way of adoption.


OCC v D, E and F (supervision order after non-accidental injuries) [2020] EWFC B64 (09 November 2020)

Non-accidental injury case. Emma represented the children at both the fact-finding hearing and the final hearing.


Re J (A Child: Residential assessment) [2021] EWFC B18 (09 April 2021)

An appeal by a local authority against the case management decision of District Judge.


OCC v C [2020] EWFC B47

Care proceedings involving parents and children with learning disabilities.

Emma has a strong private law practice. She is regularly instructed in matters involving parental alienation, alcohol and substance abuse, mental health issues, sexual and other domestic abuse, and internal relocation.

Emma is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access Scheme in appropriate circumstances.

 

What the directories say

'Emma has an intelligent and pragmatic approach to legal and family problems.’
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2023

"Her legal knowledge is outstanding and her attention to detail is commendable. A strong advocate on her feet, and she fights for her client's corner."
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2022

'I am extremely grateful to all parties for their assistance in this matter. My particular thanks to Dr. Gatland who represented mother with great care and skill. Mother was faced with unanimous professional support for removal and Dr. Gatland skilfully highlighted the many factors in the case which needed to be taken into account. I am also grateful to her for providing a chronology which has been of enormous assistance to the court.'
A Circuit Judge

Related News

Edward Kirkwood, Oliver Wraight, and Emma Gatland in Wokingham Borough Council v The Mother & Ors [2024] EWFC 273 (B)

Edward Kirkwood represented the Applicant Council, Oliver Wraight, instructed by Griffiths Robertson, represented the Second Respondent Father, and Emma Gatland, instructed by Oxford Law Group, represented the First Respondent Mother…

Cecilia Barrett and Emma Gatland have been appointed Deputy District Judges on the South Eastern Circuit.

Harcourt Chambers is thrilled to announce that Cecilia Barrett (call 1998) and Emma Gatland (call 2013) have been appointed Deputy District Judges assigned to the South Eastern Circuit.

Chambers wishes…

Alex Perry and Emma Gatland in A Local Authority v The Mother & Ors [2023] EWFC 90

Alex Perry appeared on behalf of the Applicant Local Authority and Emma Gatland, instructed by Reeds Solicitors, appeared on behalf of A (a child) the Third Respondent acting through their…

Search

Shortlist Builder

Close

Select the practice areas that you would like to download or add to the shortlist

Download Add to shortlist
Shortlist close
Title Type CV Email

Remove All

Download