Tom Harrill

Tom has a strong family practice and is known for his keen attention to detail in even the most factually complex cases. Tom runs Chambers’ family law training programme and regularly speaks on all aspects of family law.

Public Law

Tom is regularly instructed to represent parents, local authorities, children, and interveners in care proceedings, from the first hearing to contested interim hearings, fact finding hearings and final hearings.

Tom has recently been instructed in cases involving:

• Serious non-accidental injury to children (including fractures and brain injury)
• Serious sexual abuse
• Cross-jurisdictional terrorism and wardship
• International child abduction
• Issues under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008
• Chronic neglect
• Domestic violence
• Contested applications for adoption orders

Tom has experience beyond his level of call on both sides of claims for damages and declaratory relief under the Human Rights Act 1998. He appears regularly in the High Court in connection with HRA claims and has acted for multiple children in group litigation. When acting for claimants, he has secured significant awards in damages on behalf of his clients.

Given his parallel civil practice, Tom is able confidently to deal with issues ranging from: jurisdiction, representation of protected parties, costs, disclosure, and the statutory charge, to the administration of any award in damages.

Tom has the rare experience of having appeared before the Legal Aid Agency’s Special Controls Review Panel in relation to the provision of funding for claims under section 7 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and has spoken at the annual St Ives Child Care Conference on the topic, in addition to writing articles and providing commentary for the Law Gazette on cases where damages have been awarded to children under the Human Rights Act 1998.

Tom will gladly undertake advisory work in this area in relation to the merits of any claim, the substantive procedure, quantum and costs. He can provide skeleton arguments, draft declarations and written submissions as required and within tight timescales. Tom is able to advise on the most appropriate way to hold or administer any award of damages.