Emma Gilbert
Solicitor
Described by clients as having a “sensitive caring approach”.
Emma specialises in human rights and civil liberties. Her practice primarily includes inquests, public and administrative law and civil proceedings against public authorities.
In her work, Emma aims to achieve justice for individuals and families who have been wronged by public authorities – in whatever form ‘justice’ is to them. Emma carries out a wide range of complex and sensitive casework. Her specialist legal interests include: acting for victims of exploitation and / or sexual abuse; inquests and civil claims involving children; and climate litigation.
Background
Emma trained with the Actions Against the Police and Public Law Department at Imran Khan and Partners. She joined the Department in January 2021. She is now a Solicitor.
Prior to joining the firm, Emma was a Student Director for the Streetlaw project, educating prisoners, persons in homeless shelters, and students on their legal rights including stop and search, sentencing, and discrimination. She also wrote for The Justice Gap, a legal magazine focusing on law and justice and ‘the difference between the two.’ Emma contributed to the AIRE Centre’s research paper on “Covid-19 and the impact on human rights” while working as a legal intern in its Western Balkans policy team.
She graduated from the University of Cambridge with an undergraduate in Law in 2019 and completed the Legal Practice Course at BPP University in 2020.
Emma works closely with Daniel Cooper and Imran Khan KC on a range of complex cases including inquests, judicial review, actions against the police and State, and historic sexual abuse.
Emma speaks French at a limited working proficiency.
Notable cases:
Grenfell Tower fire
Emma acts for bereaved family members and residents of the Grenfell Tower
BRANDON DUFFUS v Commissioner of Police of Metropolis
Emma represents Brandon Duffus, a young Black male, in a civil claim for assault, battery and false imprisonment against the Metropolitan police. Brandon was aged 21 when he was stopped by Metropolitan police and taken to the back of a police van, where it is alleged he was assaulted.
https://www.ikandp.co.uk/post/press-release-brandon-duffus
Death of KUNIL NUR
Emma and Daniel act for the family of Kunil Nur in investigations into his death. In the months prior to his death, Kunil multiple reports of racial abuse and harassment to Wigan police.
https://www.ikandp.co.uk/post/memorial-event-for-kunil-nur
Death of baby ASIAH KUDI
Emma represented the Grandparents of 20-month old Asiah Kudi at the inquest into her death. Asiah died in supported accommodation run by Brighton & Hove City Council. She was the infant dependent of a vulnerable teenage mother.
https://www.ikandp.co.uk/post/conclusion-of-the-inquest-into-the-death-of-baby-asiah-naveah-kudi
ALFIE MEADOWS v Commissioner of Police of Metropolis
Emma was part of the team that helped Alfie Meadows secure a six-figure settlement against the Metropolitan police after he was nearly killed at a student fees protest, having been struck on the head by a baton by an unknown police officer.
Death of LEIGHTON DICKENS
Emma was instructed by the partner of Leighton Dickens who took his own life following contact with South Wales police. The jury at the inquest concluded that it was a missed opportunity on the part of South Wales police not to detain Leighton under the Mental Health Act.
https://www.inquest.org.uk/leighton-dickens-inquest
Death of MATTHEW MACKELL
Emma assisted Daniel Cooper in the inquest and civil claim brought by Michael Bond for the death of his son, 17 year-old Matthew Mackell, who took his own life after he called Kent police for help.
Historic sexual and physical abuse
Emma has secured accountability and significant damages for survivors of historic sexual abuse in one of the world’s first redress schemes of its kind: the Lambeth Children’s Home Redress Scheme.
https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/lambeth-childrens-homes-redress-scheme
