Family

Family law barrister Emma Mabey joined 3PB in Bristol in February 2024, having moved down from London where she had been a member of a well known London chambers since October 2021, following completion of her pupillage with the set. She continues to have a national practice.

Emma enjoys a busy and varied public and private law family practice and is regularly instructed to represent parents and local authorities in fact find hearings, DOLs and final hearings. Her busy caseload is particularly focused on children and Emma now represents parties in increasingly complex cases. She is looking to represent children and joinder/intervenors more.

Prior to undertaking the BPTC, Emma spent 16 years in children and families social work, focusing upon child protection and public law proceedings. ​She held roles ranging from case holding social worker to head of service. Her responsibilities included being the local authority decision maker regarding the initiation of public law proceedings and the accommodation of children. Having spent a few years working with adults with significant learning disabilities, She is keen to use this understanding to develop her Court of Protection work.

​Emma has undertaken extensive safeguarding training including ABE interviewing. She has also designed and delivered multi-agency safeguarding and permanency training; and is presently co-designing legal training for social workers. The training offer would be CPD accredited and delivered through a combination of an online platform and live training.

Family 

Emma Mabey has built up a busy family law practice, focussing on children matters. Her previous experience in social work has furnished her with an insight into practice, systems and processes which is advantageous when representing any party.

Within Public Law proceedings, Emma frequently represent parents and local authorities at case management, DOLS and final hearings. Emma also has experience of representing parents and local authorities in applications to set aside adoption orders and discharge care orders. She has also represented the Metropolitan Police in a disclosure matter.

Within Private Law proceedings, Emma has experience of injunctive proceedings, fact find and final hearings. Emma has also been successful in obtaining a costs order for PHD and Fact Find Hearings, when allegations were successfully defended.

Emma has also represented a local authority at a SEN Tribunal and welcomes further instructions in this area.

Recent cases of note:

S v K [2022] fact find - private family: Emma represented a father who was defending the allegations of domestic abuse and sexual abuse of the child. No findings made against the father of domestic abuse or sexual abuse. Full costs awarded in the father’s favour for PTR and Fact Find.

Mr and Mrs A & a LA & others [2022]: Emma represented a father who sought leave to oppose an adoption order.

S v B [2021] fact find - private family: Emma represented a mother who had made extensive allegations of domestic abuse against her husband. All allegations proven; including of coercive and controlling behaviour.

Bar Professional Training Course, Outstanding, University of the West of England (UWE) Graduate Diploma in Law, Commendation, BPP Law University Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), Southampton Institute BA (Hons) Social Work Studies, 2:1, Southampton Institute