‘Harriet is a very thorough and conscientious barrister. Her advice is always clear and succinct.’
Legal 500, 2026
‘Harriet is an exceptional barrister. She is very clever and always up to date with the law, considering complex matters with ease, and she is not just an excellent technical lawyer; she is approachable, responsive, and clients love her.’
Legal 500, 2025
Harriet is a leading criminal junior, defending in the most serious cases before the Crown Court and Court of Appeal. She is valued by instructing solicitors for legal and tactical insight far beyond her call, and has earned praise from clients and the bench alike for her ability to, as one judge put it, ‘spin straw into gold’.
Harriet’s deep understanding of police investigations and criminal procedure also equips her to advise on a range of quasi-criminal matters. She accepts instructions in civil and judicial review proceedings arising from criminal matters, inquests, and parole board hearings.
Crown Court & appeals
Harriet has particular expertise in cases involving violence, coercive control, and complex human trafficking matters — including cases where criminal offences are alleged to have been committed as a direct result of a defendant’s exploitation or abuse. She has secured acquittals in high-profile murder cases and regularly acts for defendants facing the most serious allegations, including multi-handed, cut-throat trials.
Her technical knowledge is a particular strength. Harriet has developed specialist expertise in forensic pathology, forensic psychiatry, and neuropathology, enabling her to engage with expert evidence at a level that makes a real difference in complex cases.
Professional discipline
Actions Against the Police
Harriet has a specialist practice in private law actions and / or judicial review of public authorities. She is regularly instructed in claims arising from breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as in allegations of false imprisonment, assault, misfeasance, and malicious prosecution.
Inquests & coronial
Harriet is currently instructed in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, acting for women who were deceived into sexual relationships by undercover police officers. She has previously acted for those suffering Long Covid in the Covid Inquiry, and for the families of seven of the deceased in the Manchester Arena Inquiry.
Harriet has acted in inquests involving issues relating to gender-based violence, safeguarding failings, domestic abuse, suicide, terrorism, prisons, drugs, and unsafe premises.
Harriet’s experience in civil actions against the police and prisons makes her ideally placed to conduct inquests where it is anticipated a civil claim might arise. As well as her legal insight, clients value Harriet’s sensitivity and steady hand during this stressful time for family members.
Public & administrative law
Harriet accepts instructions across chambers’ administrative and public law practice. She regularly acts in cases of failed or abandoned criminal investigations, as well as in other matters engaging the rights of applicants under the European Convention on Human Rights.
