Direct Access Barrister
Harrison Engler
Direct Access Barrister
Harrison Engler
I have been a barrister for around 3 years and have rapidly developed a wide-ranging practice across several areas of law. I particularly enjoy difficult disputes which require a careful strategic approach. I am also a trained mediator and can advise or represent you in relation to alternative dispute resolution.
I am currently instructed direct access as junior to John McLinden KC in a complex tripartite probate dispute involving professional negligence, inheritance tax, and real property issues.
In April 2025, I acted pro bono (as co-counsel with Joanna Thom) in Re A (Appeal: Findings of Fact) [2025] EWHC 1279 (Fam) [2025] 4 WLR 72 – a successful High Court appeal against a 3-year-old rape finding in private law family proceedings, which has been widely reported in law reports. Mr Justice Hayden praised me and Joanna, noting “Mr Engler and Ms Thom have filleted F’s own discursive and frequently misconceived written arguments and recrafted them skilfully. I have found their help to be invaluable”.
I have run webinars on topics such as community care charges (on which I am writing a book) and housing duties.
Area of Law
Asset Recovery
I advise regularly on disputes relating to community care charging - i.e. charges by care homes and local authorities in relation to care fees, and disputes with family members about paying such fees. I advise on issues relating to financial assessments, deferred payment agreements, deprivations of assets, etc. I also advise on related issues about trusts, property, capacity, and probate (for example local authorities trying to recover care fees after someone has died).
Commercial
I advise businesses involved in disputes with other businesses, for example about the meaning of a contract or missed payments.
Family
I represent parents in contested disputes about children or in fact-finding hearings about allegations of domestic abuse. I represent parties making or responding to applications for Non-Molestation Orders or Occupation Orders (court orders limiting what a former partner can do or what happens to the family home).
Housing and Social Welfare
I advise regularly on disputes relating to community care charging - i.e. charges by care homes and local authorities in relation to care fees, and disputes with family members about paying such fees. I advise on issues relating to financial assessments, deferred payment agreements, deprivations of assets, etc. I also advise on related issues about trusts, property, capacity, and probate (for example local authorities trying to recover care fees after someone has died).
Landlord and Tenant
I represent landlords and tenants in disputes about disrepair (issues about the condition of the property), tenancy deposits, and possession proceedings (where landlords want to evict tenants).
Local Government
I advise regularly on disputes relating to community care charging - i.e. charges by care homes and local authorities in relation to care fees, and disputes with family members about paying such fees. I advise on issues relating to financial assessments, deferred payment agreements, deprivations of assets, etc. I also advise on related issues about trusts, property, capacity, and probate (for example local authorities trying to recover care fees after someone has died).
Mental Health and Court of Protection
I represent lots of parties in the court of protection - disabled people who lack capacity, local authorities, and the Official Solicitor. I am experienced in disputes about where vulnerable people should live, whether they should be able to contact their family, and what care they receive.
Property
I advise in relation to rights of way (or easements) and boundary disputes.
Wills and Probate
I represent family members where there are disputes about a will. I also advise where Estates (i.e. people who have died) are involved in court proceedings or owe money to creditors.
What sort of work do I do?
I am a mixed practice barrister. That means I do several different areas of legal work. This provides value to clients because often legal issues span over several areas of legal practice. I appear regularly in courts across Greater London and the South East (including the Family Court, County Court, High Court, and First Tier Tribunal) and provide written advice.
Some of the areas I regularly cover are:
- family: fact-finding hearings in private law disputes, first hearings in relation to Child Arrangements Orders, Non-Molestation / Occupation Orders
- civil: business or contract disputes, probate disputes
- housing and property: disrepair issues, possession proceedings, easements or rights of way including land registration disputes
- community care: advice in relation to care fees charged by local authorities
- public law: court of protection, deprivations of liberty, anti-social behaviour injunctions
Who do I work for?
I represent lots of types of clients: companies, individuals, local authorities, or other public bodies (or parties in disputes with public bodies). I often help parents or former partners who are involved in disputes around children or allegations of domestic abuse. I help people involved in disputes with neighbours or with public bodies or their landlords. I help small companies involved in disputes with other businesses.