Spear’s Review

When Spear’s last caught up with Stewarts partner Emma Hatley, one word came to mind: impressive. A veteran in our family law rankings, she received the Spear’s Family Lawyer of the Year Award in 2017. Since then her career has continued to climb to new heights.

She has acted in several of the most complex cases to appear in the High Court (often with multiple parties disputing across jurisdictions), examining invariably difficult and contentious issues in the family division.

Known for her discretion, she is described by one peer as ‘the essence of what HNW clients want and need’ in a family lawyer: ‘highly intelligent, industrious, fast, constructive … [with] no sitting on the fence or waffle’.

Notable cases

• Re C (Older Children – Relocation) [2015] EWCA Civ 1298

Adviser Profile

Emma is top ranked in the directories as a ‘Star Individual’ and is known as a technically excellent lawyer and tough negotiator who quickly earns her clients’ trust.

She advises high-net-worth individuals on complex, often international matters involving cross-border advisers, particularly in offshore jurisdictions and the US. Emma specialises in financial issues arising from family breakdown, including jurisdictional disputes, enforcement and injunctive relief. She is highly experienced in cases involving global assets, trusts, inherited wealth and businesses.

A trained mediator and collaborative lawyer, she is committed to non-court resolution but has been described as a ‘tenacious litigator’ when needed.