Email address
[email protected]Contact number
020 7465 4300Share profile
Band 2
Band 4
About
Provided by Harriet Errington
Practice Areas
Harriet is at equally home in London or Lahore, with children or money, with homemakers or breadwinners. She has a busy, broad practice tackling all areas of private family law with aplomb. She elegantly and creatively settles cases wherever possible; equally she fights hard in court if agreement cannot be reached.
She is described as "a savvy litigator", "steely in her resolve to get the best possible outcome", and "one of the smartest lawyers I have ever met".
Harriet's practice encompasses divorce and the financial consequences of relationship breakdown, pre- and post-nuptial agreements and children matters. Harriet has particular expertise in complex financial disputes involving both ultra-high and high net worth individuals, often with an international element. Harriet also specialises in advising clients on private children law matters such as disputes regarding the arrangements for the children upon their parents' separation. She has particular expertise in international leave to remove and child abduction cases.
Harriet has "a real talent for jurisdictional work", with extensive expertise in complex international divorce cases and jurisdiction disputes. Harriet's clients often have complicated asset structures across multiple jurisdictions and she is adept at navigating the jurisdictional challenges inherent in these cases. Harriet is experienced in Sharia law and has acted for some of the wealthiest and most influential families in the UK, the Middle East, Europe and the US. Harriet is an adept settlement negotiator, prioritising securing her clients the most favourable outcome in a discrete and efficient manner.
Harriet has been recognised in particular for her work in complex cases regarding the arrangements for children. Harriet has extensive experience in cases regarding parental alienation, acting for victims of coercive and controlling behaviour and cases involving serious allegations of abuse. Harriet has particular expertise in acting for parents of children with special needs, including Autism and ADHD, and is familiar with the complications and burdens associated with such diagnoses. She has extensive expertise in international children work, including relocation proceedings (both within the UK and internationally), and frequently works with lawyers across multiple jurisdictions to secure the best outcome for her clients.
Harriet has particular expertise in drafting and negotiating pre-nuptial agreement and post-nuptial agreements, often with an international element and often in collaboration with lawyers in multiple jurisdictions. She recognises the sensitive nature of discussions regarding pre- and post-nuptial agreements and accordingly she adopts a practical and pragmatic approach to her work, striving to ensure that such agreements are clearly and concisely drafted in a discrete yet practical and far sighted manner.
Harriet has been recognised for her work by leading counsel and clients. She is listed in all of the major directories for her work.
Professional Memberships
Harriet is a member of Resolution.
Career
Harriet qualified at Boodle Hatfield in 2009 and was made partner in 2020. She moved to Payne Hicks Beach in 2024.
Publications
Harriet is a leading commentator in her field and has a significant and growing national and international profile. She has written academic articles including for the International Arbitration Journal, New Law Journal and STEP Journal, as well as having contributed to Tolley's Estate Planning. Harriet is regularly asked to contribute to both mass-media publications and thought-leadership articles, including The Times, The Telegraph, The FT, CityAM, Spears and The Law Society Gazette. Harriet also appears on TV and radio to speak about family law related issues, including BBC News, LBC, BBC Radio and Times Radio.
Personal
Harriet is from a Scottish farming family but now lives in London with her Italian husband and two young children. She fits in active involvement with her community and school, along with being a charitable trustee and mentoring at work.
Work Highlights
TI v LI [2024] EWFC 163 (B) (contested divorce proceedings)
KA v MA [2018] EWHC 499 (successful challenge to a pre-nuptial agreement on divorce)
Iqbal v Iqbal [2017] EWCA Civ 19 (appeal against a financial remedy order)
AB v CB [2014] EWHC 2998 (variation of a nuptial settlement on divorce)
Chambers Review
UK
Harriet Errington advises on a wide range of children law matters, including international relocation and abduction cases. She also has specialist knowledge in surrogacy law.
Harriet Errington regularly deals with high-value, international matrimonial matters. Errington recently joined Payne Hicks Beach from Boodle Hatfield.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Harriet's attention to detail is excellent and she is extraordinarily good with clients, punchy in her correspondence and robust when she needs to be."
"Working with Harriet is like having your own personal legal superhero. She's strategic, kind and incredibly supportive."
"She's got this calm, reassuring vibe that just puts you at ease. It's like having a friend in your corner, someone who's not only wicked smart but also genuinely cares about what you're going through."
"Harriet is charming and empathetic with clients, steely in her resolve to get the best possible outcome and has a very good knowledge of the law."
"Harriet is a delight. Intelligent and willing to fight her client's corner, but always with an eye to pragmatism and getting a deal done."
"Harriet is very good to work with. She has good insight and is very collaborative."
"Harriet's attention to detail is excellent and she is extraordinarily good with clients, punchy in her correspondence and robust when she needs to be."
"Working with Harriet is like having your own personal legal superhero. She's strategic, kind and incredibly supportive."
"She's got this calm, reassuring vibe that just puts you at ease. It's like having a friend in your corner, someone who's not only wicked smart but also genuinely cares about what you're going through."
"Harriet is charming and empathetic with clients, steely in her resolve to get the best possible outcome and has a very good knowledge of the law."
"Harriet is a delight. Intelligent and willing to fight her client's corner, but always with an eye to pragmatism and getting a deal done."
"Harriet is very good to work with. She has good insight and is very collaborative."