Three Members of SJB in a Reported Case
Sheffield City Council v The Mother & Ors [2025] EWFC 10 (B). Three members of SJB were involved in a reported case in January...
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“Harriet is a great advocate and is empathetic to vulnerable clients. She is able to explain proceedings to the client in layman’s terms, and ensures they understand, and if the instructing solicitor is not present, she updates them as soon as she can, and provides a comprehensive attendance note.”
Legal 500, 2026
Harriet specialises in all areas of the law relating to children. She was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn in July 2014.
Before joining the Bar, Harriet was a caseworker for a medico-legal charity supporting families through the inquest process. She also worked as part of a team at a multi-national law firm working on the Ian Paterson (rogue breast surgeon) litigation, which led to a £37 million global settlement across more than 750 claims.
Children (Public and Private law)
Public Law
Harriet is regularly instructed at all stages of public law proceedings, with particular focus on multi-day final and fact-finding hearings. She takes instructions from all parties, ranging from vulnerable clients, intervenors, parents, children, and local authorities. She has appeared at all levels of proceedings, including lengthy proceedings in the High Court.
Harriet is frequently instructed to represent parties at urgent hearings at short notice. Harriet’s workload includes, but is not limited to, dealing with a wide range of issues such as neglect, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, non-accidental injuries, and parental alienation.
Harriet has experience of drafting detailed threshold documents, case summaries and providing advice to clients at all stages of proceedings.
Recent Cases
Sheffield City Council v The Mother & Ors [2025] EWFC 10 (B) This was a factually interesting five-day composite final hearing focussing on allegations raised concerning a vulnerable child with complex needs, where Harriet appeared for the local authority. The Court heard evidence from six medical witnesses and made findings against the parents. The judgment is available here.
Sheffield City Council v The Mother and Ors [2024] EWFC 265 Acted for the local authority in a contested final hearing where the plan for the child was one of adoption. Final orders were made as sought by the local authority, despite challenge from both parents. The judgment is available here.
RE C (Change of Forename: Child in Care) [2023] EWHC 2813 Fam Acted for the mother in a case which concerned the change of a child’s forename and whether the name chosen could amount to significant harm or a risk of significant harm for him. The case was heard in the High Court sitting at Leeds before Mr Justice Cobb. The judgment is available here.
A local authority v K (2020-2023) Instructed as junior counsel for the local authority in a complex High Court case involving allegations of serious sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.
A local authority v H (2023) Harriet was led by Justine Cole on behalf of the local authority in a finding of fact hearing concerning a serious head injury to a child.
A Local Authority v L (2022) Representation of a parent in a final hearing against the recommendations of the local authority and Children’s Guardian.
A Local Authority v P (2019) Representation of a parent at a final hearing where the plan for the child was one of adoption. This involved cross-examination of multiple experts over the course of several days.
A Local Authority v H (2019) Represented a local authority in a four-day final hearing involving issues including assessing the appropriate treatment of psychological difficulties and chronic neglect.
Private Law
Harriet regularly acts for parents and relatives in disputes over contact and residence. She has experience in working for complainants or alleged perpetrators in domestic violence cases.
Harriet has a particular interest and experience of dealing with complex cases involving domestic abuse, sexual abuse and serious allegations and has appeared in a number of multi-day final and fact-finding hearings.
Recent Cases
N v S (2022) Appeared on behalf of the applicant in a private law matter, which evolved into public law proceedings as a result of the extreme hostility between the parents.
H v H (2021) Appeared on behalf of a parent in a fact-finding hearing and successfully resisted an appeal, obtaining a substantial costs award against the appellant.
M v B (2019-2021) Represented an extended family member over the course of 12+ months in their application for contact. The final hearings considered interpretations of the COVID-19 social distancing restrictions and their impact on contact.
E v J (2019 and 2020) Representing family members in their application where a parent passed away during proceedings.
A v R (2019) Representation of a parent’s new partner in a final hearing involving allegations of inappropriate touching being made against them. The allegations were successfully argued, but the case resulted in no findings being made.
L v L (2018) Representation of a parent facing serious allegations of harm made by their ex-partner, which if proven could have had serious consequences to their employment. No findings were made and a substantial cost award was made against the other party.
Memberships
- Family Law Bar Association
- North Eastern Circuit
Education
- Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training
Legal Directory Recommendations
“She has a fine eye for detail, excellent advocacy and clear skill in cross-examination.” Legal 500, 2025
