Emma Edhem (born August 1966) is an Alderman in the City of London Corporation representing the ward of Candlewick.[1] She is also Professor in Practice for Finance at Durham University, and a practicing barrister. Since June 2020, Edhem became Vice President for Greater London and Chairman of City in the Order of St. John. In April 2021, she became Master of the Bench for Distinguished Barristers at the Honourable Society of Gray's Inn.[2] She has also held the position of Deputy Head of International Law at No5 Barristers Chambers since September 2014. In 2012, Edhem became the first woman to hold the post of Chairman of the Turkish British Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TBCCI). In 2011, Edhem served as counsel for Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a successful libel case against the Daily Telegraph.[3]

Emma Edhem
Alderman
Emma Edhem
Court of Alderman
Assumed office
July 2018
DeputyChristopher Boden
Preceded byDame Fiona Woolf DBE DStJ
No5 Chambers Deputy Head of International Law
Assumed office
September 2014
Court of Common Council Castle Baynard
In office
April 2014 – July 2018
Turkish British Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman
Assumed office
November 2012
Personal details
BornAugust 1966 (age 57–58)
London, England
Children2
Alma materGoldsmiths, University of London; City, University of London
OccupationBarrister
Emma Edhem
MottoOthers Before Self

Edhem previously served as Common Councilman for the ward of Castle Baynard prior to becoming Alderman; and is a Freeman of the City of London.

Early life

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Emma Edhem was born in London, England and received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Goldsmiths College, University of London and continued her education to receive a postgraduate diploma (CPE) in law at City, University of London. Edhem was called to the Bar in 1993, where she was in pupilage to Michael Latham before she was made a member of chambers of 4 King's Bench Walk of the Inner Temple. She was subsequently made Ad Eundem member of the Inner Temple.

Election to Court of Common Council

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On Thursday, 20 February 2014, Emma Edhem was elected to the Court of Common Council in the Ward of Castle Baynard after a contested by-election and the resignation of Raymond Catt. Edhem won 80% of the votes, and became one of eight Common Councilmen to serve the ward. At the time of the election, Edhem was serving as a barrister at No5 Chambers, and Chairman of the Turkish British Chamber of Commerce and Industry.[4] Edhem was re-elected as Councilman on 23 March 2017.[5]

Election to Court of Alderman

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On Thursday, 12 July 2018, Emma Edhem defeated her competitors, James deSausmarez, William Charnley and Johnathan Bewes to become Alderman for the ward of Candlewick, and joined the Court of Alderman. The Aldermanic seat was vacated by Dame Fiona Woolfe earlier in the year. deSausmarez was a Councillor for Candlewick since 2015.[6] Edhem at the time was an elected Councillor for the ward of Castle Baynard, and serving as Deputy Head of the International Law Group at No5 Barristers Chambers.[7] Edhem became only the fifth woman in history to take a seat as Alderman of the City of London.

Professional life

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Edhem sits on the City of London's Court of Aldermen, General Purposes Committee, Nominations Committee to the Court of Aldermen, Court of Common Council, Finance Committee, Efficiency and Performance sub committee for Finance, Bridge House Estates, Community and Children’s Committee, the City of London Police Authority Board, Economic and Cyber Crime Board, Professional Standard and Integrity of the City Police, and Tackling Racism Task Force. She is also Court Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, Worshipful Company of Educators, Vice President of the Greater London Priory Group and Chairman of the City Branch of the Order of St John. She is a practicing barrister at No5 Chambers, where she is deputy head of international law.[8] She is also chair of the Turkish British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the first woman to hold the position. She co-founded the Azerbaijani British Law Association, and served as President of the Turkish British Legal Society from 2002 until 2013.[9][10] In December 2019, she was presented her Coat of Arms by the Windsor Herald, John Allen-Petrie.

Video

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References

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  1. ^ Edhem, Emma. "Alderman". City of London. City of London. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  2. ^ Edhem, Emetullah. "New Masters of the Bench 2020". Grays Inn. Grays Inn. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  3. ^ Luft, Oliver (2 March 2011). "Turkish PM accepts substantial Telegraph libel damages". PressGazette. Press Gazette. Press Gazette. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  4. ^ Edhem, Emma (20 February 2014). "mma Edhem elected to the Court of Common Council in the Ward of Castle Baynard in the City of London". No5 Chambers. No5 Chambers. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  5. ^ Edhem, Emma (30 March 2017). "TBCCI Chairman Emma Edhem, re-elected to the court of common council in the City of London". Londrea Gazete. Londrea Gazete. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  6. ^ De Sausmarez, James. "Member". City of London. City of London. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  7. ^ Edhem, Emma. "Emma Edhem wins election to join the Court of Aldermen". No5 Barristers Chambers. No5 Barristers Chambers. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  8. ^ "No5's Emma Edhem CC attends state banquet in honour of Singapore president's UK visit". The Lawyer (24 October 2014). 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  9. ^ Emma Edhem. City of London. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  10. ^ Edhem, Emma. "Emma Edhem". No5 Barristers Chambers. No5 Barristers Chambers. Retrieved 16 February 2022.