At New Park Court Chambers, we do things a little differently. With over 70 junior barristers and 19 King’s Counsel, our reach and influence stretches far beyond the bounds of our Circuit.
As a Tier 1 Set based in Leeds and Newcastle we are home to a number of high profile and nationally and internationally reputable Counsel.
Emma Hughes is Deputy Head of the Family Team and specialises in family and criminal law matters. Her understanding of how the criminal and family regimes operate is a key strength, as there are often crossovers with allegations of abuse, assault or harassment between partners or children or confiscation orders.
In her Family Law practice, Emma has a wealth of experience in both private and public family matters. Emma’s involvement in public family law proceedings often finds her representing parents, guardians and Local Authorities regarding allegations of severe neglect, failure to protect, sexual abuse, non-accidental injuries, drugs and alcohol abuse and coercive control.
Emma can deal with serious issues of domestic abuse, including sexual abuse, in a way that remains sensitive whilst still being able to challenge the evidence on both sides fully. Emma is experienced in dealing with interpreters where her clients’ native language is not English, and those who are vulnerable or have mental health issues.
Emma is regularly instructed within private family law proceedings by both applicants and respondents in applications such as Child Arrangement Orders to determine residence and contact for a child, specific issues and prohibited steps orders. She has expertise in international and cross-border matters, including Non-Hague Convention countries.
Emma has appeared as a barrister for both the prosecution and the defence regarding criminal matters. In the Crown Court, Emma’s defence work has included committals for sentence and Newton hearings, and she has also undertaken work for both prosecution and defence in appeals from the Magistrates’ Court. Emma has also prosecuted in Crown Court trials, as well as dealing with the issues of intermediaries for both vulnerable witnesses and Defendants, ensuring that each Court appearance is as comfortable as possible for every Court user.
Emma always seeks to establish a good rapport with her clients from the outset, ensuring she can nurture the relationship all the way from the first to the final hearing. She understands the importance of client-counsel relationships and will ensure she is there for her clients in every way she can, creating a trusted partnership you can rely on during proceedings. Her ability to work amicably with others ensures great outcomes without unnecessary delay or expense.
In 2026, Emma attended Keble College in Oxford, sponsored by Inner Temple, to complete their Advanced International Advocacy Course. The course is the most demanding and intensive advocacy course in the UK and is widely regarded as the best advocacy course in the world.
Emma has also completed the Advanced Expert Witness Residential International Witness training run by the South Eastern Circuit, which covers complex trial dynamics, appellate advocacy, and cross-examining expert witnesses using real-life scenarios.
Emma is committed to providing access to justice for all and has been recognised on the Pro Bono Recognition List for many years. The list recognises those who provide at least 25 hours of pro bono legal assistance each year. Emma was Highly Commended for the John Collins Pro Bono Excellence Award at the Advocate Bar Pro Bono Awards 2025.
Emma has a wealth of experience of both private and public family matters within her Family Law practice.
Emma is regularly instructed within private family law proceedings by both applicants and respondents, in applications such as Child Arrangement Orders to determine residence and contact for a child, specific issues and prohibited steps orders. Emma is capable of representing both sides in cases where allegations are made which prevent contact taking place between a parent and a child. Emma is able to deal with serious issues of domestic abuse, including sexual abuse, in a way that remains sensitive, whilst still being able to fully challenge the evidence on both sides.
Emma’s involvement in public family law proceedings oftentimes finds her representing respondent parents against allegations of neglect, failure to protect, sexual abuse and/or non-accidental injuries.
Finding of Fact hearings are also often ran successfully by Emma, in both the private and public arena.
Emma also appears in matters of injunctive relief where domestic violence is alleged (for both the accused and the accuser), such as Non-Molestation Orders, at both ex-parte and contested hearings.
Emma ensures that those accessing the Court system are able to do so to the best of their ability. Those with additional needs or require an intermediary will feel listened to and understood, ensuring that all the support that is available will be in place. similarly, she has experience dealing with all family cases (including cases involving BAME families and children and social services) where a cultural issues feature, as well as issues such a honour based violence, and often works alongside interpreters to ensure parties feel understood and listened to.
Emma has appeared for both the Prosecution and the Defence in proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court and in the Crown Court.
In the Crown Court, Emma’s defence work has included committals for sentence and Newton hearings for driving offences, thefts and possession of bladed articles and has also undertaken work for both prosecution and defence in appeals from the Magistrates’ Court. Emma has also been a junior on a Crown Court trial for Arson with intent to endanger life which lasted several weeks.
Emma has also prosecuted in Crown Court trials, as well as dealing with the issues of intermediaries for both vulnerable witnesses and Defendants, ensuring that each Court appearance is as comfortable as possible for every Court user.
In the Magistrates’ Court, Emma appears in cases from first appearance through to trials and sentencing hearings on both sides of representation. These cases cover a broad range of offences and have involved vulnerable victims and defendants. Predominantly in the Magistrates, Emma represents Defendants in drink and drug driver charges and other driving related offences. Emma has also appeared in private prosecutions for breach of fire regulations.
