Emma Anderson was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa in 2008 and practiced in the South African courts for more than 10 years, before changing jurisdiction to gain experience in international litigation and arbitration. Emma was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2023, having worked in complex cross-border disputes in London for the last four years.

Notable experience

Emma’s first UK-based case was the widely published PJSC Tatneft v Bogolyubov and others. She was part of the Fourth Defendant’s team which achieved the dismissal of Tatneft’s $300-million claim in its entirety after a 12-week fully remote trial, with witnesses giving evidence from Russia, Ukraine, Paris, London and Washington.

Following on from the success in the Tatneft trial, Emma acted in:

• a $190-million claim for a breach of Contract of Affreightment;
• a $65-million fraud, including Jurisdiction challenges in Ukraine and UK;
• a $53-million fraud, including Worldwide Freezing Orders and Jurisdiction challenges across the BVI and Ukraine;
• a $ 25-million banking matter spanning Switzerland, the UK and Russia;
• a $25-million Competition Appeal Tribunal matter, involving markets across Africa, the EU and UK;
• a $6-million fraud case spanning China and the UK.

During her time 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 corporate law, case of Budge NO and others v Midnight Storm Investments 256 (Pty) Ltd and Another. Emma advised and acted for many companies and entities on matters emanating from, inter alia, frauds, insolvencies, corporate governance issues, recovery of assets, dissipation of assets and removals of shareholders and directors.

Admissions

• Called to the Bar of England and Wales: 2023
• Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa: 2008

Memberships

• Members of Gray’s Inn: 2019
• Panel Member of the Arbitration Foundation of South Africa: 2016