Emma Favata

Year of Call: 1999

"Emma is an exceptional barrister who consistently demonstrates remarkable advocacy skills."

Legal 500, 2024 (Inquests & Inquiries)

"Her legal submissions are unparalleled, showcasing a deep understanding of the law and an ability to effectively present compelling arguments."

Legal 500, 2024 (Inquests & Inquiries)

"She asks the most difficult questions her clients want to ask - she doesn't hold back."

Chambers UK, 2024 (Inquests & Inquiries)

"Emma was brilliant throughout the whole process and her help and advice with my case was so professional."

Chambers UK, 2023

"A dynamic and fearless advocate, with a down-to-earth approach that clients really appreciate. I can trust Emma to pursue witnesses rigorously at inquests, ensuring that my clients feel as emboldened as possible by the inquest process."

Legal 500 2022, Leading Individual (Inquests & Public Inquiries)

Contact

To get in touch:​ Or you can contact the relevant​ Practice Team Clerks directly and they will be happy to assist with your enquiry.

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Emma Favata specialises in civil claims against the police and public authorities, inquests and public law. She is committed to ensuring that her clients are fearlessly represented and their European Convention rights are vigorously defended.

Emma was part of the 17-strong Garden Court team who, along with other lawyers for the families of those who died at Hillsborough, were awarded the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award following their role in the Hillsborough Inquests.

Emma represented a bereaved family member of one of the victims in the Keyham Shootings inquest.

Claims Against the Police and Public Authorities

Overview

Emma has extensive trial experience in actions against the police involving police brutality, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, trespass to property and misfeasance in public office. Emma's practice also includes breaches of data protection by public authorities and breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights. Emma has brought successful judicial review proceedings against the IPCC.

Notable Cases

Dwain Buike v The Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police [2009] EWCA Civ 971 - Junior counsel to Leslie Thomas. Successful appeal of County Court refusal to grant permission to the Claimant to bring proceedings under section 329 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

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Inquests and Inquiries

Overview

From July 2013 to April 2016, Emma was junior counsel to Michael Mansfield QC at the Hillsborough Inquests and part of a team of lawyers representing 77 families. Emma and Michael Mansfield QC were specifically instructed to represent the Executive of the Hillsborough Family Support Group and their families, as well as working with the wider client base.

Emma has represented bereaved families in Article 2 Inquests involving deaths in custody, police pursuits and deaths involving NHS Trusts. Emma has brought successful judicial review proceedings arising out of inquests.

Emma represented a bereaved family member of one of the victims in the Keyham Shootings Inquest. See press coverage: ITV News.

Emma is instructed in the inquest into the death of Rachel Garratt, which has received coverage on ITV News.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

Connor Blampey Inquest
Connor Blampey died aged 21 after taking the psychoactive substance Spice at HMP Channings Wood on the evening of Sunday January 28, 2018. Emma represented the family, instructed by Clare Richardson at Deighton Pierce Glynn. The inquest was reported in the local press.

Charlotte Franklin Inquest
Coroner found teenager Charlotte Franklin died due to consequences of Body Dysmorphic Disease and had become ‘overwhelmed with the prospect of not being able to be well’ before her death, in narrative conclusion. Emma represented the family instructed by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Emily Comer and Erin Watkinson from Broudie Jackson Canter (BJC) Solicitors. Please see BJC's press release for further information on the case.

Hillsborough Inquests
From July 2013 to April 2016 Emma was junior counsel to Michael Mansfield QC at the Hillsborough Inquests and part of a team of lawyers representing 77 families. Emma and Michael Mansfield QC were specifically instructed to represent the Executive of the Hillsborough Family Support Group and their families, as well as working with the wider client base.

Tainton, R (on the application of) v HM Senior Coroner for Preston and West Lancashire & Anor [2016] 4 WLR 157, [2016] EWHC 1396 (Admin) - Held that where the possibility of a violation of the deceased's ECHR article 2 right to life could not be wholly excluded, the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 s.5(1)(b) and s.5(2) should require the inclusion in the record of inquest of any admitted failings forming part of the circumstances of death, even if the jury could not properly find them causative of the death.

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Administrative and Public Law

Overview

Emma has expertise in judicial review and proceedings involving breaches of the Human Rights Act. Emma's practice in public law began by defending Brian Haw's ECHR Article 10 right to freedom of expression in the High Court injunction proceedings brought by Westminster City Council in their first attempt to eject Brian from Parliament Square.

Notable Cases

Westminster City Council v Brian Haw [2002] EWHC 2073 (QB) - Mr Justice Gray gave a resounding judgement in Mr Haw's favour strengthening the rights to freedom of expression.

R (application D) v Sheffield Youth Court [2003] EWHC 35 (Admin) - Junior counsel to Stephen Simblet. Judicial review of the Sheffield Youth Court's decision to commit C and D for trial to the Crown Court for charges of robbery and attempted robbery.

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Notable Cases & News

Inquest opens into the death of Rachel Garratt

Emma Favata of the Garden Court Inquests & Inquiries Team represents the family of Rachel Garratt, instructed by Chris Callendar of Simpson Millar and supported by the charity INQUEST.

22 May 2023

Inquest concludes into Keyham shootings

Emma Favata represented Robert Chapman, brother of Maxine Davison and uncle of Jake Davison in the inquest, instructed by Clare Evans of Saunders Law.

28 March 2023

Keyham Shootings: Final Inquest opens into deaths

Emma Favata is representing Robert Chapman, brother of Maxine Davison and uncle of Jake Davison in the inquest, instructed by Clare Evans of Saunders Law.

17 January 2023

Inquest finds use of Taser by Devon and Cornwall Police contributed to death of Marc Cole when experiencing paranoia

Marc’s mother and sister are represented by Emma Favata of Garden Court Chambers, instructed by Leanne Devine and Emily Comer of Broudie Jackson Canter.

30 January 2020

Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield to go on trial for manslaughter by gross negligence

The trial of Mr Duckenfield is currently listed to start on 10 September.

29 June 2018

High Court quashes inquest conclusions of Stephen Port murder victims

Leslie Thomas QC, Emma Favata and Paul Clark of Garden Court Chambers instructed.

28 November 2017

Hillsborough Review backs ‘Hillsborough Law’

Seventeen barristers from Garden Court Chambers were involved in the Hillsborough inquests, representing 80 families of those who died.

1 November 2017

Hillsborough disaster: criminal charges against six people

Seventeen barristers from Garden Court Chambers represented 80 families at the Hillsborough inquest.

29 June 2017

Families of Stephen Port murder victims issue plea for information through lawyers

The families of Stephen Port's victims are represented by Leslie Thomas QC, Emma Favata and Paul Clark.

6 January 2017

Garden Court and Stephanie Harrison QC shortlisted for Human Rights and Public Law awards

Garden Court has been shortlisted at the Chambers Bar Awards, whilst Stephanie and our Public Law Team are shortlisted at the Legal 500 Awards.

21 October 2016

Garden Court Chambers recognised for “outstanding achievement” following Hillsborough inquests

Garden Court Chambers Hillsborough inquest team wins Outstanding Achievement Award at Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2016.

8 July 2016

Hillsborough inquest concludes 96 fans were unlawfully killed

Garden Court Chambers represented 77 families at the inquests.

26 April 2016

18 Garden Court barristers instructed on Hillsborough Inquest

Garden Court Chambers are pleased to announce that 18 Garden Court barristers have been instructed on the Hillsborough inquest.

18 October 2013

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Education

  • MA (Hons) Philosophy
  • Diploma in Law
  • LLM
  • Diplome d'Etudes Approfondies (Universite de Nanterre-Paris X)

Languages

  • French (fluent)
  • Spanish (competent)

We are top ranked by independent legal directories and consistently win awards.

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