Harry Laidlaw

Practice Areas

Harry Laidlaw specialises in crime, inquests, public inquiries, and health and safety law. With a solid foundation in criminal law, he regularly acts for both the prosecution and defence in serious criminal cases. His recent work includes cases involving serious violence, firearms, drugs, fraud, rape, and child sex offenses. Harry is often instructed to represent vulnerable individuals with mental health difficulties.

In addition to crime, Harry has significant experience in health and safety law. He recently defended in Reading Borough Council v R P Ltd, a prosecution involving the death of a child, and represented a company director facing charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act after an employee died.

Harry frequently represents those with interested person status at inquests, including medical professionals, care homes, and families of the deceased. He is particularly skilled in handling complex medical and health and safety issues. He is currently junior counsel to Post Office Ltd in the Horizon IT Public Inquiry and is involved in reviewing hundreds of convictions related to the Post Office's Horizon system.

Harry also advises organizations and individuals at the pre-charge stage in criminal matters. His expertise has earned him recognition as a 'Rising Star' in the 2025 Legal 500 for Inquests and Inquiries and an 'Up & Coming' ranking in Chambers UK 2025 for Crime.

Career

• Called 2018

• CPS Advocate Level 3

• Government Legal Department “Junior Junior” Counsel Panellist

Professional Memberships

• CBA

• YFLA

• Youth Practitioner’s Association

• Honourable Society of the Inner Temple