Harriet Wakeman

Practice Areas

Harriet’s practice spans public law and human rights, inquests, public inquiries, planning and environmental law, and costs.

Harriet is recognised as a leading junior (Chambers and Partners, 2024 & Legal 500, 2025). She has been appointed to the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel (C panel).

Harriet is described in the leading legal directories as a “talented advocate”, “intellectually rigorous” and an “extremely strong practitioner” who is “exceptional in mastering large volumes of material (including complex technical evidence)”. Her work is “of the highest quality” and her submissions are “superb – detailed and compelling” and “watertight”. She has an “immense work ethic, and is confident and conscientious” and “her attention to detail and recall of facts is incredible”.

Harriet has experience acting for an array of clients, including individuals, developers, charities, large corporations, and government. Harriet acts for both claimants and government in her public law work. In her inquest work, Harriet acts for bereaved families, government departments and other interested persons, as well as acting as counsel to the inquest. In her planning work, Harriet has experience acting in planning inquiries and challenges before the High Court, both led and as sole counsel.

Harriet is regularly instructed in high-profile and sensitive matters, as well as cases involving a national security element. She has been instructed in cases before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Harriet worked as the stagiaire to Judge Christopher Vajda at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.