Emma Hornby is a highly skilled and experienced junior barrister who brings a wealth of expertise to both defence and prosecution cases. Prior to being called to the Bar, Emma honed her legal knowledge and professional client care skills while for a tier 1 criminal law firm, gaining insight to both professional and lay client’s needs.
Since being called to the Bar, Emma has built an impressive criminal practice. She has appeared in myriad of serious and high-stakes cases, including those involving allegations of complex sexual offences, serious drug conspiracies, wounding with intent, and robberies. Emma is widely respected for her analytical precision in trial preparation, her compelling written and oral legal submissions, and her persuasive approach to securing favourable judicial decisions.
Emma’s advocacy skills set her apart in both the courtroom and behind the scenes, with solicitors and clients regularly praising her abilities. Her forensic attention to detail and strategic case management ensure effective resolutions across a broad spectrum of criminal matters.
Emma is committed to delivering exceptional advocacy and client-focused representation in all her cases, ensuring she is dependable, diligent, and dynamic in every aspect of her practice.
Key cases
R v S: Emma represented a defendant at sentence who had pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life. The circumstances of the case were that the defendant attended the complainant’s address with a petrol cannister and set the front door alight, leaving the flaming petrol cannister on the front lawn. The complainant and their 3 children were asleep inside the property at the time. After successful mitigation, the defendant was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months’ custody and was not found to be dangerous.
R v K: Defendant indicted for robbery and possession firearm in order to commit the robbery. Emma made a successful submission of no case to answer at the close of the prosecution case. Not guilty verdicts were recorded.
R v M: Emma defended in a multi-handed affray trial in which the defendants were caught on CCTV fighting and brandishing weapons. The defence advanced was one of self-defence. The jury found Emma’s defendant not guilty.
R v D: Emma successfully defended a s20GBH and possession bladed article trial. The defendant was alleged to have slashed the complainant to the arm following a workplace disagreement. The defendant was acquitted.
R v S: Emma defended a 4 count indictment relating to domestic violence. At the close of the prosecution’s case the jury were directed to return not guilty verdicts in respect of coercive and controlling behaviour. The jury then found the defendant not guilty of making a threat to kill and assault by beating. The jury was hung in relation to a remaining count of assault by beating and the Crown subsequently offered no evidence.
R v C: Emma defended a trial of robbery. The defendant’s case was that he was guilty of theft but not robbery. A jury acquitted the defendant of robbery, finding him guilty of theft.
R v R: Emma defended an ABH trial relating to a neighbour dispute. The central issue was self-defence. The jury found the defendant not guilty.
Areas of expertise
Emma has experience in general crime, having accepted instructions for cases in the Youth Court, Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court.
Further information
2018 – BPTC – BPP – Very Competent
2016 – GDL – BPP – Commendation
2015 – BA Hons Classical Studies & French – University of Exeter – 2:1