JUNIOR PROFILE
Emma Sumner

Emma Sumner

UK Bar 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by 1 Hare Court

UK Bar

Practice Areas

Emma is an experienced and leading specialist in matrimonial finance cases.

She is regularly instructed on her own against KCs and her practice often involves complex, high value financial work. Her widespread expertise includes offshore assets, valuation, trusts, international clients, nondisclosure issues and the status of agreements.

Emma regularly sits as a private evaluator in out of court Financial Dispute Resolution hearings.

Career

Emma is a graduate of Exeter University (BA Hons, Politics). She was called to the Bar in 1999 and has been ranked as a leading junior in this field since 2007.

Professional Memberships

Family Law Bar Association

Work Highlights

As would be expected, much of Emma's work takes place privately and without publicity. However she did act in DE v FE [2022] EWFC 71

“Emma is an exceptional all rounder. She is excellent with clients and immediately gains their trust and respect. She is supremely diligent in her preparation and will always have read everything and understood every detail and she is a persuasive advocate. She demonstrates all of these qualities and really deserves her recognition as one of the very best senior juniors.”

“She often represents high-profile individuals in the sporting and business industries. Sumner has a depth of experience acting unled against KC opposition.”

“Emma is bright, articulate and has a wonderful bedside manner. Her case preparation is meticulous, and she has excellent judgement. Her service delivery is first rate.”

Chambers and Partners 2022 and Legal 500 2023

Industry Sector Expertise

UHNW and HNW Financial remedy cases often involving substantial assets.

Key sectors

Family Offices and High Net Worth

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Family: Matrimonial Finance - London (Bar)

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Emma Sumner acts in high net worth ancillary relief proceedings, and is a specialist at navigating complex trust and tax structures. She often represents high-profile international individuals in the sporting and business industries. Sumner has a depth of experience of acting unled against KC opposition.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • One of the best finance juniors in London. Emma is absolutely superb and adopts a very robust approach to cases.

    Family: Matrimonial FinanceUK Bar
  • Emma is a breath of fresh air. She is clear and insightful and makes the lay client feel listened to and understood. Her advocacy is precise and she is always well prepared.

    Family: Matrimonial FinanceUK Bar
  • Emma is a an absolutely fantastic barrister. She has a wonderful manner with clients and instantly puts them at ease.

    Family: Matrimonial FinanceUK Bar
  • Emma Sumner is the smoothest of smooth operators and a real pleasure to instruct.

    Family: Matrimonial FinanceUK Bar
  • Emma has a way in which she is able to deliver a stifling blow in the most elegant and respectable manner. Sympathetic and robust at the same time, she is a dream to work with.

    Family: Matrimonial FinanceUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 1 Hare Court (46)

All Circuits

  • Profile image of Geoffrey Kingscote KC
    Geoffrey Kingscote KC

    Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

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  • Profile image of Nichola Gray KC
    Nichola Gray KC

    Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

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  • Profile image of Nigel Dyer KC
    Nigel Dyer KC

    Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

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  • Profile image of Peter Mitchell KC
    Peter Mitchell KC

    Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

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  • Profile image of Rebecca Carew Pole KC
    Rebecca Carew Pole KC

    Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

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  • Profile image of Simon Webster KC
    Simon Webster KC

    Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

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  • Profile image of Nicholas Yates KC
    Nicholas Yates KC

    Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

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  • Profile image of Richard Sear KC
    Richard Sear KC

    Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

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  • Profile image of Eleanor Harris
    Eleanor Harris

    Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

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  • Profile image of Gavin Smith
    Gavin Smith

    Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

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  • Profile image of Jude Allen
    Jude Allen

    Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

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  • Profile image of Rachel Spicer
    Rachel Spicer

    Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

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  • Profile image of Tom Carter
    Tom Carter

    Family/Matrimonial: Non-Court Dispute Resolution

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London (Bar)

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