Harry joined Chambers in 2004 after successful completion of his pupillage. After initially practising in Personal Injury, he joined the Criminal Regulatory and Environmental team in 2008 and has since specialised in this area, appearing in many of the most significant cases in the field. He had a career break from 2013 to 2017 teaching at St. Peter’s School, York, and remains based in York for his nationwide practice in all areas of Regulatory work.
Criminal Regulatory & Environmental
Health & Safety
Harry acts for companies and individuals in the most serious health & safety prosecutions, including corporate and gross negligence manslaughter. He has acted for all sizes of business, from sole traders to Plcs, across a wide spectrum of industries, encompassing all aspects of construction, transport management, work at height, electrical installation, swimming pool management, farming, caravan sites, asbestos, care homes and commercial baking.
Current instructions include the Bosley Mill explosion prosecution, due to be tried in January 2021.
Fire
Harry is widely experienced in Fire Safety matters, having represented a number of individuals and corporates alike in prosecutions under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. He is instructed in the current public inquiry into the fire at Grenfell Tower. Last year, he secured the acquittal of a pub company at trial accused of a failure to provide fire alarms and detection systems in breach of the Fire Safety Order.
Food Safety
Harry has broad experience in food safety matters, with clients ranging from individual publicans to large catering companies to nationally recognised chain restaurants.
Consumer Protection
Harry’s practice in consumer protection is growing, in particular, in representing businesses investigated and prosecuted for under-age sale of knives, contrary to s.141A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
Environmental
Harry is experienced in a very broad range of environmental issues, again appearing for both companies and individuals in connection with prosecutions as wide ranging as the discharge of waste into waterways in the north and the destruction of protected species habitat in a multi-million-pound development on the banks of the Thames.
Selected Cases
- HSE v. Fullwood Care Limited (2020)
- HSE v. DJT Surfacing Limited (2019)
- Hertfordshire County Council v. McMullen & Sons Limited (2019)
- Central Bedfordshire Council v. Center Parcs Woburn (2019)
- HSE v. Tooles Transport Limited (2018)
- HSE v. Redrow Homes Limited (2017)
- HSE v. Willmott Dixon [2012] EWCA Crim 1226
- HSE v. Tangerine Confectionery Limited & Anr [2011] EWCA Crim 2015
Inquests & Public Inquiries
Harry frequently appears at inquests for interested persons where potential prosecutions for the whole spectrum of health & safety and food safety offences are at large, including Corporate Manslaughter. Inquests in which he has been instructed have involved all manner of industrial incidents, suspected food poisoning cases, asbestos related disease and road traffic accidents.
Recommendations
“A very strong advocate who is excellent with clients. He’s a superb barrister.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“An incredibly intelligent and very engaging advocate.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“His attention to detail is excellent and he’s a strong advocate.”; “He’s excellent on his feet and his subject knowledge is astonishingly good.”; “He’s a calm, thoughtful and organised barrister. I have been impressed by his cross-examinations and he’s very analytical.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“Harry has an exceptional ability to identify the significant issues that are key to achieving the best outcome. He produces very effective strategies and clients warm to him easily.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“Leading Junior”
Chambers & Partners, 2014, 2013, 2012
“Runs complex arguments with panache”
Chambers & Partners, 2013
This “charming performer” is praised for his “wonderful courtroom style”.
Chambers & Partners, 2012
“Leading Junior”
The Legal 500, 2011
