After practicing as a Barrister in South Africa for more than 10 years, Emma changed jurisdiction to gain experience in international litigation and arbitration. The first UK based case she was involved in was the widely published PJSC Tatneft v Bogolyubov and others. Emma worked as part of the Fourth Defendant team where Tatneft’s $300 million claim was dismissed in its entirety after a 12 week fully remote trial, with witnesses giving evidence from Russia, Ukraine, Paris, London and Washington.
Following the success in the Tatneft trial, Emma acted in:
- a $190 million claim for breach of Contract of Affreightment across;
- a $65 million fraud, including Jurisdiction challenges across Ukraine and UK;
- a $53 million fraud, including Worldwide Freezing Orders and Jurisdiction challenges across the BVI and Ukraine;
- a $25 million Competition Appeal Tribunal matter involving markets across Africa, the EU and UK;
- a $ 25 million banking matter across Switzerland, the UK and Russia; and
- a $6 million fraud case across China and the UK.
While in South Africa, Emma counted several Private Banks as her clients, and led a variety of matters from commencement of action to enforcement of judgments. Emma (together with Senior Counsel) successfully represented the Applicant in the well-known, and still leading company law, case of Budge NO and others v Midnight Storm Investments 256 (Pty) Ltd and Another. Emma has advised and acted for many companies and entities on matters emanating from, inter alia, fraud, insolvency, corporate governance issues, recovery of assets, dissipation of assets, and removals of shareholders and directors.
Although primarily acting in a board stretch of international matters, Emma maintains a strong connection to her roots in South Africa, and from Gherson Solicitors LLP, assists and advises clients both with claims in South Africa with international elements, and claims outside of the South African jurisdiction involving South African parties.