Emma Smith

Civil and Family Barrister

Year of Call
2005

emma.smith@walnuthouse.co.uk

Civil Law

Overview

Emma accepts instructions from Claimants and Defendants in a wide range of civil actions.

Her personal injury work includes accidents at work, road traffic accidents and public liability claims. The range of subject matters in which Emma has acted is wide-ranging including highways claims, assaults in care homes, accidents during sporting events / outdoor pursuits and accidents on holiday. Her work is predominantly in the multi track and fast track, although she regularly accepts instructions for Stage 3 oral hearings and for small claims credit hire hearings.

M v F
Emma acted for a claimant who was injured whilst boarding a commercial aircraft. Much of the liability argument turned on the definition of an ‘accident’ within the Montreal Convention. The Claimant was successful in the County Court and judgment was upheld on appeal, where Emma continued to represent the Claimant.

W v O
Successful claim against a nightclub where a visitor slipped on a wet floor and suffered significant knee damage. The Claimant was unable to pursue career in armed forces due to injury so claim included loss of pension.

M v SCC
Successful claim against the Claimant’s school under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 where the nature of an external door meant that the Claimant, who had Special Educational Needs, needed additional help to navigate it.

J v N
Drafting particulars of claim where the Defendant was sued as an emanation of the State.

Family Law

Overview

In 2020 Emma broadened her practice to include family proceedings, in both public and private law matters. She regularly represents parents in Private Law proceedings, addressing issues such as contact, domestic violence, parental alienation and residence.

Emma is also pleased to accept instructions in respect of occupation and non-molestation order hearings.

Personable and approachable to clients, Emma has a practical and down-to-earth style both in conference and in court.

Biographical and Other Information

Membership
Member of PIBA
Academic
Bar Vocational Course (The College of Law, London), MA (University of Cambridge) (Classics).
Air Traffic Controller
Before coming to the Bar, Emma was an Air Traffic Controller in the Royal Air Force for 8 years and since retiring from the RAF has undertaken studies in airline operations.
Interests
In her spare time, Emma enjoys supporting Exeter Chiefs and walking her retired greyhound.

Civil Law team members

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Mark Treneer

Year Of Call : 1987

The main focus is in ancillary relief (financial remedies) for husbands, wives and children, especially where there are trust and/or business assets and farms. Mark cuts through volume of paper to the core and critical issues and is focussed and blunt with his clients and the Court alike.

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Lara Spencer

Year Of Call : 2000; Head of Civil

Lara has represented both Claimants and Defendants in a variety of matters for over 20 years and has appeared before most Courts and many different Tribunals. She has also given numerous talks and seminars in civil litigation to CPD providers and assisted in writing civil litigation material for online CPD providers. Lara is authorised to conduct all areas of litigation. She is a member of the Professional Negligence Bar Association and the Personal Injury Bar Association. Many of Lara’s cases are high value. As such, she often appears against KCs. Although based in Exeter, Lara undertakes court work throughout England and Wales. Lara’s wide common law practice affords her with a thorough understanding of the processes and tactics of civil law and litigation, and enables her to provide specialist, pragmatic and practical advice. Similarly, her early experience at the criminal bar, during which time she prosecuted and defended in the Magistrates Court and Crown Courts, and her continued work there in planning and environmental matters, provides her with a continued specialist knowledge and experience of criminal law and practice.

lara.spencer@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Emma Smith

Year Of Call : 2005

Emma is a practitioner who accepts instructions in both civil and family law. Personable and approachable to clients, Emma has a practical and down-to-earth style both in conference and in court.

emma.smith@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Felicity Payne

Year Of Call : 2010

Felicity is a common law barrister with an established and varied practice in all aspects of criminal and civil law. Felicity is thorough, practical and robust in her approach, whilst remaining personable.

felicity.payne@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Laura Searle

Year Of Call : 2011; Head of Family / Deputy HoC

Laura is a family barrister with a busy and varied practice acting and advising in public and private law proceedings, applications for injunctive relief and financial remedy proceedings. She is a personable and approachable advocate who prides herself on going the extra mile for her clients. She has studied and worked internationally in France, Brussels, Luxembourg and New Zealand and is a Denning and Eastham Scholar of Lincoln’s Inn

Legal 500 2025 – Leading Junior Tier 4

laura.searle@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Evie Dean

Year Of Call : 2019

Evie accepts instructions in both criminal and family law. She regularly appears in the Crown and Magistrates’ Courts where she prosecutes and defends in all stages of proceedings. She also acts for parents in both private and care proceedings from application stage through to contested interim and final hearings.

Since joining Walnut House after successfully completing a twelve-month pupillage in chambers, Evie has continued to enjoy a busy and varied practice. She has been complimented on her pragmatic and personable manner with her clients.

evie.dean@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Sam Wysocki

Year Of Call : 2020

Sam has developed a diverse practice across Chambers’ family and civil teams, representing clients throughout the South West. He prides himself on his attention to detail, being approachable and offering pragmatic advice.
Sam completed his pupillage and accepted tenancy from Walnut House in October 2021. Furthermore, Sam successfully obtained his public access qualification in October 2022.

sam.wysocki@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Zoe Kuyken

Year Of Call : 2021

Zoe joined chambers after successfully completing a 12 month pupillage in 2022.

Zoe accepts instructions in criminal and family law.

zoe.kuyken@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Azzam Bhatti

Year Of Call : 2017

Azzam has a mixed Civil, Criminal and Family practice at Walnut House.

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Mark Treneer (1987)
Lara Spencer (2000; Head of Civil)
Emma Smith (2005)
Felicity Payne (2010)
Laura Searle (2011; Head of Family / Deputy HoC)
Evie Dean (2019)
Sam Wysocki (2020)
Zoe Kuyken (2021)
Azzam Bhatti (2017)