Emma Downey

Reference: ED

Emma Downey is Head of Family Law at Waddington Turner Wall Solicitors. She has worked in the legal profession for over a decade and has been part of the company since 2018. During that time, she has built a strong reputation as one of the company’s most formidable family lawyers.

Clients often come to Emma at a point where life feels uncertain, pressured and difficult to control. They may be worried about finances, the family home, a business, a farm, pensions, children, or their own safety. They may feel that the other person is not being transparent, keeps changing position, or making the process harder than it needs to be.

Precise, calm and quietly relentless, Emma is often the person clients turn to when they need someone who will not be intimidated by complexity, conflict or difficult opponents. Clients describe her as clear, clinical and effective. They value her ability to cut through the noise, identify the real problem and focus on the issues that matter.

Before joining Waddington Turner Wall, Emma gained valuable experience in a specialist child abuse department in Manchester. That early work gave her a strong grounding in sensitive cases, vulnerable clients and the importance of careful, trauma-aware client care.

Emma has also developed a particular interest in the challenges facing farming families, agricultural and rural communities. She frequently networks and has met with local MP Robbie Moore to discuss issues affecting farming families.

Family Law

It is easy to feel worn down, particularly where the other party is difficult, evasive, or unwilling to engage. Emma regularly deals with matters involving:

Divorce/Financial Remedy

• divorce cases;
• contested financial remedy cases
• consented financial remedy cases/financial settlements/agreements;
• non-matrimonial asset cases;
• incomplete, unclear, or hidden financial disclosure;
• maintenance claims;
• farming families and agricultural cases;
• agricultural land and rural businesses;
• family businesses and partnerships;
• inherited assets and family wealth;
• pensions and pension sharing;
• cryptocurrency and other modern asset classes;
• third-party interests, including family members, trusts, or business interests;
• disputes about debts, loans, and liabilities;
• hearings; first appointments (FDA); financial dispute resolution hearings (FDR), application hearings, final hearings.
• one party making unrealistic financial demands, and,
• a spouse or former partner repeatedly shifting their position.

Her skeleton arguments and hearing preparation have attracted positive judicial comment, reflecting the clarity, structure and force of her case preparation.

Children Matters

• child arrangement orders;
• disputes about where a child should live;
• disputes about the time a child should spend with each parent;
• school holiday arrangements;
• handover difficulties;
• communication problems between parents;
• arrangements being changed at short notice;
• court orders not being followed;
• enforcement issues;
• specific issue orders;
• prohibited steps orders;
• schooling disputes;
• medical decision disputes;
• relocation issues;
• safeguarding concerns, and,
• harassment or controlling behaviour.

Non-Molestation Orders/Occupation Orders

• non-molestation orders;
• occupation orders;
• urgent without notice applications;
• return hearings;
• undertakings, and,
• final hearings.

TOLATA and Co-Owned Property Disputes

• disputes between unmarried couples;
• disputes about beneficial ownership;
• disagreements over sale or transfer of property;
• declarations of trust;
• disputes about unequal contributions;
• claims for sale;
• disputes over mortgage payments/outgoings;
• disputes over property improvements;
• third party or family contributions;
• letters before action;
• negotiation/settlement/agreements, and,
• preparation for TOLATA proceedings.

Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements

Emma advises clients who wish to protect assets, clarify financial arrangements, or reduce the risk of future dispute by entering into a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement.

She assists with:

• pre-nuptial agreements before marriage;
• post-nuptial agreements after marriage;
• agreements involving family wealth or inherited assets;
• farming and agricultural assets;
• updating older agreements;
• advising on independent legal advice requirements; and,
• ensuring agreements are drafted clearly and practically.

Reputation and Client Feedback

Emma has built her reputation through results, preparation and client care. Clients have described her as:

• “Professional, clinical and effective.”
• “Emma instantly calmed me, provided excellent clear advice, listed the full options available and went above and beyond in terms of service.”
• “Her level of expertise is second to none.”
• “Professional, swift and understanding, always on hand either by phone or in person.”
• “Emma worked tirelessly throughout my darkest hour to ensure the best result for me. You gave me my life back.”
• “Extremely helpful, effective and efficient.”