Emma Hilliard has been described as “a rising star” (Chambers and Partners UK Bar 2014) and specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration with particular emphasis on various types of contractual disputes (having previously been a Supervisor in Contract Law at Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge, 2005-2006).
Her areas of practice include insurance and reinsurance, shipping, aviation, arbitration, energy, sale of goods, professional negligence, banking, conflict of laws and other general commercial disputes. Emma was called to the Bar in 2006 and joined 7KBW as a tenant in 2007, following the completion of her pupillage here. As well as appearing in Court (the Court of Appeal, Commercial Court, Queen’s Bench Division, London Mercantile Court and County Courts), Emma has substantial experience of appearing in confidential arbitrations. She acts as sole counsel in smaller disputes in Court and arbitrations and as junior counsel (including as part of a team of counsel) in larger trials and arbitrations. For several years Emma has been recommended in the legal directories for aviation – she has been recommended for aviation in Chambers & Partners UK Bar in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 and in Legal 500 in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. She is currently ranked in band 3 for aviation in Legal 500 2018 and in band 3 for aviation in Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2016. Emma has been described in the following terms:
Selected cases include:
If you are interested in instructing Emma on any particular matter, please contact her clerks.
Emma Hilliard has been recommended for Aviation in the legal directories for several years – she has been recommended for Aviation in Chambers & Partners UK Bar in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, and in Legal 500 in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. She has been described as “a junior impressing the aviation market”, “a rising star”, “An excellent junior for aviation matters”, “very bright and has a strong reputation” and “particularly active in complex aviation insurance cases” – see further the “In the Directories” section below for quotations. She is currently ranked as a Leading Junior in band 3 for Aviation in Legal 500 2018 and in band 3 for Aviation in Chambers & Partners 2016.
Emma Hilliard has been instructed in a range of commercial disputes including a range of different types of contractual disputes covering areas including sale of goods, banking, aviation, energy, insurance and reinsurance, shipping and commodities. Prior to commencing practice, Emma was previously a Supervisor in Contract Law at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University (2005-2006).
Emma Hilliard has experience of a wide range of insurance and reinsurance disputes. Emma has been described as follows in the Aviation section of the Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2016: “An aviation insurance and reinsurance specialist with a growing practice in the area. She is very bright and has a strong reputation.” Prior to commencing practice at the Bar, Emma previously studied Commercial Insurance Law as a postgraduate at Cambridge University as part of her Commercial LLM (First Class, 2004-2005).
Emma Hilliard has substantial experience of acting as counsel in arbitrations and has appeared at the final hearings in a number of substantial confidential arbitrations as well as a number of interlocutory hearings. Emma has been instructed in arbitrations in a variety of sectors including a number of insurance and reinsurance arbitrations, shipping arbitrations conducted in accordance with the rules of London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association and LCIA arbitrations (see also the Insurance and Reinsurance, Aviation, Shipping and Commodities sections). Emma also has experience of various types of applications in the Commercial Court including applications under section 68 and section 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
Emma Hilliard has been instructed in a number of cases involving claims against professionals, including in particular insurance brokers.
Emma Hilliard has experience advising, settling statements of case and appearing in Court and in arbitrations (including on LMAA terms) in shipping disputes. She has been instructed in a wide variety of charterparty disputes.
MA in Law (Cantab) LLM in Commercial Law (Cantab) Emma read Law at Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge, both as an undergraduate (2001-2004) and postgraduate (2004-2005). Emma gained a First in the LLM in Commercial Law, coming top of her year at Cambridge University in International Commercial Litigation and second in her year in Commercial Insurance Law. Emma was selected to represent the University of Cambridge at both mooting and debating. Emma was awarded the Leonard Coling Scholarship and Lyndon Stanford Prize from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge University. Emma was awarded the Denning, Cassel and Hardwicke Scholarships from Lincoln’s Inn. Emma was a Supervisor in Contract Law at Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge (2005-2006).
Emma is a member of the British Insurance Law Association (BILA), the London Shipping Law Centre (LSLC).
"She is extremely bright and very able"
Legal 500 2020