Charlotte Bignell
25-04-2023
Charlotte and Emily begin their second six months pupillage.
05-05-2023
Emily Shopland
Emily maintains a thriving family practice with specialist interest in financial remedies and private children disputes.
2021 Inner Temple
“Thank you so much for all you have done for myself and my family today! I am so grateful for all you have done keeping me and my family safe. So, thank you again, you really have been amazing”
“Thank you for your efforts in the hearing over our child arrangements order. Your calm and measured approach helped me navigate a difficult and emotional day”
“I could not thank you enough for fighting my corner in court, it was a very nervy experience for myself, and you always made me feel calm and I trusted you 100% with any advice you had to offer. I could not be any happier with the outcome and it still doesn't feel real!”
“I just wanted to give you my heartfelt thanks for all your hard work. I’m still astounded by the outcome and over the moon! I hope this result reflects as well as it should for you."
- 2019-2020: The University of Law (Very Competent)
- 2016-2019: University of Bristol Law LLB 2.1
- S v B Represented an applicant father who was in prison for sexual offences and successfully argued against his parental responsibility being removed.
- LM v M Represented the child in a five-day fact-finding hearing involving allegations of sexual abuse in private children proceedings.
- S v S Appeared in the High Court on short notice when an application for a passport order to recover the child’s passport was made at a case management hearing.
- D v D Successfully represented a father in a five day fact finding hearing where the court made findings of sexual abuse perpetrated by the mother’s partner against the children.
- Family Law Bar Association
Details
Family
Emily has built a focused practice in Family Law and is recognised for empathetic client care and strong, steady advocacy. She represents parents and separating couples in cases involving contact arrangements, allegations of domestic abuse, financial settlements, and disputes about children’s welfare.
In private children matters, Emily acts for both parents and children joined as parties at every stage if the proceedings. She has experience of complex fact-finding hearings involving allegations of physical harm, sexual abuse, coercive control and parental alienation. She is particularly skilled at guiding clients through emotionally charged proceedings, offering clear explanations, realistic advice, and a calm presence in court to ensure they feel supported and informed throughout. Her approach blends compassion with firm, focused advocacy.
Emily is developing a strong practice in financial remedies, acting in cases involving a wide range of asset structures. She works collaboratively with solicitors to ensure clients receive a complete and comprehensible picture of their financial landscape and options. She has experience of First Appointment, Financial Dispute Resolution and final hearings, and is committed to achieving practical and cost-effective outcomes for her clients.
She has a particular interest in disputes between unmarried couples and is developing expertise in claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA) and Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. Emily is instructed in cases concerning beneficial ownership, constructive and resulting trusts, and equitable accounting, approaching these matters with careful legal analysis and a pragmatic focus on resolution.
Emily also accepts instructions in injunctive proceedings, including non-molestation and occupation orders, and has experience in public law children work.
Civil
Emily accepts instructions across a broad range of civil matters, with a particular interest in housing litigation, including disrepair, possession, and related claims.
Before commencing pupillage, Emily worked as a county court advocate, appearing in more than 400 hearings. Her experience includes possession proceedings (rent arrears and mortgage claims), bankruptcy matters, and infant approval hearings. She is familiar with the perspectives of both landlords and tenants and is comfortable managing high-volume lists as well as contested, multi-issue hearings.
Emily is known for her clear, concise submissions, strong case management skills, and her ability to quickly identify the core issues in any dispute.
Court of Protection
Emily accepts instructions in Court of Protection matters and is developing experience across both welfare and property and affairs jurisdictions. She is instructed in applications concerning capacity, best interests decisions, and the appointment or discharge of deputies.
She combines thorough preparation with a calm, sensitive approach, and is particularly adept at working with vulnerable clients and families. Her ability to communicate complex issues with clarity and reassurance is a hallmark of her practice.
