clerks@walnuthouse.co.uk 
+44 (0) 1392 279 751 
40 Southernhay East, Exeter EX1 1PE DX:115582 Exeter
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.
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
- Member of PIBA
- Bar Vocational Course (The College of Law, London), MA (University of Cambridge) (Classics).
- 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.
- In her spare time, Emma enjoys supporting Exeter Chiefs and walking her retired greyhound.
Civil Law team members
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.
View ProfileHugh Cornford
Year Of Call : 1994
Hugh has extensive experience acting for Local Authorities, parents, grandparents, Guardians and proposed special guardians in care proceedings, including representing young and vulnerable parents, clients with learning difficulties and clients with chronic health conditions.
Lara Spencer
Year Of Call : 2000
Lara has represented both Claimants and Defendants in a variety of matters for over 20 years. She has a wide general civil litigation practice, and has given numerous Continuing Professional Development talks and seminars. She is certified to conduct all aspects of litigation, and therefore is certified to carry out all the legal work that not only barristers do, but also those legal activities usually reserved to solicitors.
lara.spencer@walnuthouse.co.uk View ProfileEmma 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 ProfileFelicity 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 ProfileLaura Searle
Year Of Call : 2011
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
laura.searle@walnuthouse.co.uk View ProfileEvie 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 ProfileSam Wysocki
Year Of Call : 2020
Sam joined Walnut House as a pupil under the supervision of Hugh Cornford in 2020 and was made a tenant at Walnut House in October 2021. Developing a general common law practice with an emphasis on family and crime and a particular interest in family law. Prior to training as a barrister Sam worked as a family paralegal with a regional solicitor.
sam.wysocki@walnuthouse.co.uk View ProfileZoe Kuyken
Year Of Call : 2021
Zoe joined Walnut House in 2021 as a pupil under the supervision of Laura Searle. Prior to pupillage, she worked as a paralegal at a boutique agricultural law firm. During her BPTC, she volunteered as an Appropriate Adult, supporting children in police station interviews, and at Support Through Court, assisting litigants in person with the court process. She has also completed internships assisting a children’s charity with their policy documents, and in the privacy department of an international firm.
zoe.kuyken@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile