Emma is Head of UK Dispute Resolution and leads the Contentious Regulatory practice in the UK. She acts on a wide range of major investment banking disputes and contentious regulatory investigations. Her clients, including large UK and foreign investment and retail banks, other major financial institutions, and senior board-level individuals, greatly value her expertise in the field. Emma is well-versed in handling large-scale and confidential investigations, regularly advising on reporting to and communicating with the FCA, and managing the multi-jurisdictional aspects of contentious matters.

In 2026, Legal 500 states "Emma Sutcliffe is excellent. Highly responsive and tuned in to client needs, technically brilliant and very focused on effective outcomes."

Emma specialises in financial regulatory investigations, disputes and enforcement actions, conduct risk, whistleblowing, and regulatory reporting. She has considerable experience working with the most senior individuals in financial services firms, managing complex disputes, governance, and regulatory challenges. Emma has developed a particular expertise in handling highly confidential and sensitive cases involving firm-wide cultural issues, complex conduct risk cases, “MeToo” issues, senior managers, and whistleblowing. She regularly trains and advises C-suite executives and Boards on managing these risks and speaks at industry forums and events on these topics. Emma has led several FCA responses to Consultation Papers and Discussion Papers on behalf of clients.