Emily Fildes joined as a tenant in September 2024, having successfully completed pupillage under the supervision of David Maddison, Head of the Family Team.

Emily’s practice has a particular focus on Public Law proceedings, Children Act proceedings (Private Law) and Family Law Act proceedings. Emily is known for her calm, clear and compassionate approach to complex and sensitive cases.

Emily acts in a broad spectrum of Public and Private Law proceedings, receiving instructions from Local Authorities, parents, and children's guardians. With particular expertise in working with vulnerable clients, Emily frequently works with intermediaries and interpreters to ensure that her clients are fully supported and properly understood throughout the legal process. Her ability to adapt communication styles and manage proceedings inclusively has made her a trusted advocate in cases where mental capacity, language barriers, or additional needs are a concern.

Emily has recently been involved in the reported case of Re M (A Child: Leave Application) (No. 3) [2025] EWFC 170 (B), where she represented the second respondent psychological / non-biological parent and successfully opposed an application for leave to issue an application for a child arrangements order made by the child’s biological maternal aunts.

During pupillage, Emily observed cases involving non-accidental injuries to children, historic sexual abuse, and neglect. She assisted with drafting orders and conducting legal research.

Prior to commencing pupillage, Emily worked as a Judicial Assistant to the only registered blind family/civil Circuit Judge in the country and as a court clerk on the Judge’s non-sitting days. In this role, Emily became accustomed to Public Law proceedings, including cases involving composite finding of fact / final hearings, non-accidental injury, the inherent jurisdiction, concurrent criminal proceedings and appeals. Emily also gained extensive experience in all areas of Private Law and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, including multi-day finding of fact hearings, child abduction, relocation to non-Hague countries and secure accommodation orders.

In her spare time, Emily works closely with Advocate to represent pro bono clients and has recently provided a Public / Private Law Case Law Update at the Cumbria Family Justice Council’s Annual Family Law Conference.