Emma advises on all aspects of residential property. She has particular expertise in landlord and tenant matters, contentious and non-contentious enfranchisement/lease extensions, development, complex funding arrangements and ancillary tax matters.
Emma acts for private individuals, investors, developers, banks and institutions. She frequently acts for clients from overseas and often leads teams of advisers in a number of different jurisdictions.
When acting for private individuals buying property for their own use, Emma offers a ‘turnkey’ service: formulating the offer, acting on the acquisition, advising on tax and structuring and assisting with all aspects the development of the property.
As a result of the personal service that Emma delivers, she has built longstanding close relationships with many of her clients. She is a trusted adviser to individuals and families, in many cases providing advice and support to three generations.
Qualified 1999, joined Payne Hicks Beach 2020, partner 2020.
Chambers UK Guide 2025 ranks Emma Copestake for ‘Real Estate: High Value Residential (London Firms)’.
The Legal 500 UK 2025 ranks Emma Copestake as a ‘Leading Partner’ for the ‘Real Estate: Residential Property’ category.
Emma is ranked in Chambers HNW 2023 and features as “Top Recommended Property Lawyer” in the Spear’s Property Advisers Index 2024 and Spear’s 500 2024.
Chambers HNW 2023 ranks Emma as a Leading Individual under Real Estate: High Value Residential and writes that “Emma is a very technically able lawyer with great focus on the detail” and “she is an absolute star.”
The Legal 500 UK 2024 ranks Emma as a Leading Individual in the category of Real Estate: Residential Property, and she is recommended in two other categories. One testimonial reads: “I have worked with Emma Copestake for many years and always appreciate her advice and her judgement.” Another describes her as “absolutely formidable” and having ” arguably unparalleled experience, great depth of knowledge of the law in her area, a rigorous intellect, sound common sense and an ability to explain difficult concepts to clients in a comprehensible way.” Further testimony include: “Emma also has an incredible work ethic, as well as being overall delightful to work with,” and “Emma Copestake – long term relationship, totally understands clients, great at giving advice on all the elements on a deal,” as well as “I work mainly with Emma Copestake and her team. They have a fantastic stable of HNWI/FO clients who have full trust in Emma. This trust has been built up over decades with some clients following continued service of the highest quality.”
With rankings continuous rankings in Chambers HNW the directory writes, “she is a respected presence in the market.” Testimonials include: “Emma is amazingly impressive. She manages to juggle a significant portfolio of top-drawer clients and provide clever commercial solutions.” Another states “Emma is a delight to work with. I have complete confidence in her advice, which is always well considered and given with good humour. Her contacts are impressive, as is the range of her knowledge.” Others sources enthuse “Emma is top of her game. Clients remain loyal to her for the quality of her sound commercial advice and efficiency. Exceptional all round.”
Other comments include: “She has an ability to identify the key issues quickly and where necessary to find and negotiate practical solutions to solve issues between the parties where both are satisfied with the outcome” with a source saying “I would highlight her deep experience and expertise which she brings to bear in a very effective way to achieve the desired outcome for her client.” “Nothing is too much trouble: if something needs to be done, she will go the extra mile” “Emma is immeasurably calm, measured and practical.” “She is one of the best in the business, she provides incredibly sound advice and she is very astute and reliable.” “she has very, very strong client-handling skills and also has an interesting cross-border practice – she is a very talented individual and a pleasure to work with – I cannot recommend her highly enough.”
Emma is ranked as a “Top Recommended Property Lawyer” in the Spear’s 500 2024 and the Spear’s Property Lawyers Index 2024.
Emma also features as a Founding Partner in Tatler Address Book Advisory (formerly Tatler High Net Worth) as a property law expert, as well as being listed in The Sunday Times’ Little Black Book of London’.
Emma is author Hill & Redman’s Law of landlord and tenant: residential tenancies precedents.
Emma is a member of The Law Society, the Arab British Chamber of Commerce and The Justinians.
