Speakers
Ridwaan Omar
Ridwaan has been partner at Forbes since 2012, having trained with the firm and qualified in 1999. As head of Regulatory and Complex Insurance Claims, he acts on behalf of numerous local authorities, organisations and Plc construction companies in defending Employers' and Public Liability claims. Ridwaan achieved his Higher Rights of Audience Advocacy qualification in May 2013. He has considerable experience of representing organisations and public sector bodies at inquests and during health & safety investigations.
Emma is a highly experienced and well-respected barrister with a practice focussing exclusively on inquests, inquiries, investigations and injuries. Her expertise in the systems and operations of public and private bodies delivering care to vulnerable people whether in prison, police custody, hospitals or care homes is first class and she is a sought after inquest and inquiry advocate regularly instructed by government departments, police authorities, the NHS and local authorities, particularly in cases concerning institutional failings and of the upmost sensitivity. She is a go-to barrister in cases with multiple party involvement, extensive documentation, related legal processes (including Human Rights Act claims) and where there may be significant reputational risk or publicity. She is instructed as Counsel to the Inquest by Coroners.
Specialising in injury and clinical negligence work since 1998 Emma has always occupied a unique position of successfully balancing a practice for both Claimant’s and Defendants and respected by leading firms on both sides. Her experience lends her to work at the most complex and high value end of the spectrum including claims following a fatality, injuries to babies, young children and some of the most vulnerable in society. In addition to her domestic practice Emma acts for clients out of the jurisdiction with an international client base in the Caribbean and the United States.
Emma sits as a Recorder (part-time Circuit Judge) in both the criminal and civil courts and is ticketed for specialist serious sex cases. She has been Counsel to the Crown since 2018 and is now on their appointed Silk’s list. She has been a qualified Mediator since 2018. Consistently ranked by both Chambers UK and The Legal 500 since 2008 in all her practice areas and recognised in both London and on her circuit, Emma is known for her user friendly yet no-nonsense approach and is a fierce and fearless advocate who is always meticulously prepared.
A seasoned seminar presenter and article writer, Emma is regularly invited to speak at large scale events. In 2024 she contributed to work for the Law Commission in Malta on their investigatory processes following an unnatural death.
