Emma Daykin is a much admired barrister with an active immigration practice, advising both pro bono and privately on asylum and trafficking law. She is particularly well known for her involvement in public law challenges to immigration policy and her navigation of complex, multi-layered ARAP and wider relocation matters. Strengths: “I really rate her in this sector.” “Emma is nothing short of excellent. She is one of the leading barristers in this area – very knowledgeable and very helpful.” “Emma, who is highly experienced, versatile and brilliant to work with as instructing solicitors, offers outstanding counsel.”
Chambers UK Bar Guide 2026
“Emma is an excellent advocate and highly recommended”
Legal 500 2026
Experience

Practising in public law and immigration for over 18 years, Emma brings a vast amount of experience to every case. She is regularly instructed in public law challenges to decisions by the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Home Department.  Emma also has substantial experience in cases involving national security issues requiring Closed Material Procedures and immigration appeals heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.

Emma is currently instructed in the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan and the pending country guidance for Afghanistan.

Emma has always practised in immigration, asylum and human rights.  Over the last few years she has been instructed in a large number of judicial review cases involving Afghan interpreters, judges and special forces military personnel and their families refused under the ARAP scheme and related policies.  She is experienced in Closed Material Proceedings in national security cases and appeal heard by SIAC.

She has become the expert and led the way in conceiving major strategic judicial review challenges to primary and secondary legislation particularly involving the Ankara Agreement for Turkish businesspersons.

Emma is increasingly instructed on a public access basis, particularly at the initial stages for strategic advice.  Clients are able to capitalise on Emma’s vast appellate experience at the application stage when the solution to a problem is less than obvious in order to put forward strong applications, which are prepared with future litigation in mind, often resulting in positive results without the need for further litigation.

Emma acts as an advocate and advises at all levels.  She has particular experience in Afghan cases, complex trafficking claims, deprivation of nationality, asylum claims, the Turkish Ankara Agreement and appeals against deportation.  She also regularly advises and acts in judicial review matters (including urgent applications and injunctions) and civil claims for damages for unlawful detention.

Emma has experience in representing those issued with civil penalties for immigration offences and civil cash forfeiture.

Before focusing her practice towards purely immigration, asylum and human rights, Emma also maintained a successful criminal defence practice.

Emma is a reviewer and volunteer barrister with Advocate.

Emma remains absolutely committed to representing those facing the death penalty through her involvement with the charity Amicus.  Emma’s devotion to this work began in 2004 when she worked as an investigator with the Office of Capital Defense Counsel, in Jackson, Mississippi on numerous capital murder cases and returning in 2007 and Missouri in 2015.

News & Cases
news
One Pump Court has secured 32 rankings in the Chambers UK Bar Guide 2026
We’re very grateful to our clients for the incredible feedback they shared with Chambers and Partners.
Daniel Grütters, Stephen Knight, Allan Briddock, Alex Burrett, Eleri Griffiths, Angelina Nicolaou, Ahmed Osman, Keelin McCarthy, Matthew Moriarty, Emma Daykin
news
One Pump Court secures 33 rankings in the Legal 500 UK Bar directory for 2026
We are delighted with the incredible feedback received. Watch our video to see our rankings and quotes.
Justine Fisher, Stephen Knight, Alex Burrett, Eleri Griffiths, Angelina Nicolaou, Catherine Philps, James Anthony Shaw, Daniel Grütters, Roshni Popli, Paramjit Ahluwalia
cases
Divisional Court declare there is no costs jurisdiction in SIAC Reviews
The Secretary of State for the Home Department brought a judicial review claim against the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in relation to an order for costs made in favour of FGF...
Emma Daykin

Professional Memberships

ILPA
ALBA
Criminal Bar Association

Awards

Nominated for Junior Pro Bono Barrister of the Year Award 2020 – Bar Pro Bono Awards

Shortlisted for Junior Pro Bono Barrister of the Year award 2022 – Bar Pro Bono Awards

Emma Daykin’s Privacy Notice 

Education

LLB Law (Criminal Justice)

For information on hourly rates and fees