Court of Protection - Vulnerable Adult; Inquests and Inquiries; International Children Law; Private Children Law; Public Children Law; Direct Access
Harry specialises in the law relating to children, particularly proceedings with an international element. He is regularly instructed in abduction matters, jurisdiction disputes, internal and international relocation cases, and forced marriage and FGM proceedings. He is widely recognised for his technical legal expertise at first instance and on appeal.
Harry has appeared at all levels of the family courts up to and including the Court of Appeal. He is known for his persuasive advocacy, excellent drafting and forensic cross-examination. Harry often appears against more senior counsel, and gives sensitive, pragmatic advice.
Harry joined Chambers in October 2019 following successful completion of his pupillage under the supervision of Michael Gration, Stephen Lyon and Chris Barnes.
Harry was shortlisted for “Family Law Young Barrister of the Year” in the 2020 Family Law Awards and contributes to the international children law chapters in Rayden & Jackson.
Before joining Chambers, Harry worked at the Court of Appeal of England and Wales as the judicial assistant to Lady Justice Black DBE (as she then was) and Lord Justice Moylan, the immediate past and current Head of International Family Justice. Harry also worked as a case management lawyer in the Civil Appeals Office, providing assistance to the specialist family Lords and Lady Justices of Appeal.
During his studies, Harry undertook a traineeship in the Office of the President of the European Court of Human Rights. Harry has also worked in politics as a Parliamentary Assistant for a Birmingham MP, and as a volunteer on President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign in the key swing state of Ohio.
Harry appears in the High Court in child abduction matters pursuant to both the 1980 Hague Convention and the Inherent Jurisdiction. He is regularly instructed in disputes relating to jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement proceedings, international relocation cases, and forced marriage and FGM proceedings.
Harry appeared in the Court of Appeal (Moylan, Baker and Phillips LJJ) in the case of Re B [2020] EWCA Civ 1187, [2020] 4 WLR 149 concerning third state returns under the 1980 Hague Convention
Harry is regularly instructed in complex private law cases, including those relating to relocation, domestic violence, and coercive control. He also acts for both applicants and respondents in non-molestation and occupation order proceedings.
Harry regularly appears for parents in cases before the Family Court concerning the international relocation of families.
Harry acts for parents, Guardians and local authorities within care proceedings in particular in cases with an international element.
He appeared as junior counsel (led by Alison Grief QC) for the local authority in Re H (A Child) (Parental Responsibility: Vaccination) [2020] EWCA Civ 664, [2020] 3 WLR 1049. The Court of Appeal considered the principles to be applied where a dispute arises between a local authority and parents as to whether a child subject to a care order should be vaccinated.
He also appeared as junior counsel for the Applicant local authority in London Borough of Tower Hamlets v Mother & Ors [2020] EWHC 832 (Fam), [2020] 3 FCR 490. The case involved the novel use of the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction to restrain the publication and dissemination of confidential information that had been inadvertently disclosed within adoption proceedings.
Harry accepts instructions in relation to Court of Protection matters, particularly where there is a cross over with family proceedings. He is regularly instructed in proceedings where the Official Solicitor represents the interests of a party in care and private law proceedings.
In his public inquiry practice, Harry was instructed by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets who were a Core Participant in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse’s investigation into institutional responses to the sexual exploitation of children by organised gangs.
Harry is a contributor to the chapters on international children’s law in Rayden and Jackson.
Year of Call: 2014
Lincoln’s Inn Family Law Bar Association Child Abduction Lawyers Association
University College London – LLM (Merit) Nottingham Law School – Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent) Nottingham Trent University – LLB (First Class Honours)
