Richard Harrison KC is a specialist family lawyer with particular expertise in financial remedy applications and international children cases. He is the only silk ranked in Band 1 by Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 for both matrimonial finance and children and has been ranked in those directories for many years. Winner of Chambers & Partners UK Bar Awards: Family Law Silk of the Year 2023. He has also been nominated for Family Law Silk of the Year in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Richard Harrison specialises in complex financial cases including those involving offshore trusts and difficult issues of enforcement. He has been involved in a number of high-profile cases including Aziz and Ecclestone v Stunt as well as several cases involving assets in excess of £1 billion.
He was previously involved in the Tchenguiz-Imerman litigation, Quan v Bray (‘the Chinese tiger case’) and Young. He appeared in the Mubarak litigation, which generated several reported authorities on different aspects of enforcement. He acted in Mohan, a leading Court of Appeal authority about judgment summons.
He specialises in cases involving jurisdictional issues including under Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 (Brussels IIR) and Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 (the Maintenance Regulation).
He also deals with applications under the Trusts of Land and applications under schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. He regularly advises about and settles pre-nuptial agreements on behalf of high profile or high net worth clients.
He is a co-author of 1KBW on Trusts in Matrimonial Finance Proceedings and 1KBW on International Child Abduction.
Cases of interest include:
- J v J [2020] (financial remedies application involving allegations of non-disclosure and offshore entities)
- R v R [2020] (financial remedies application involving disputed valuation of network of offshore companies and issues of post-separation accrual)
- XH v YW [2019] (ten-day case involving high profile individual and allegations of non- disclosure)
- Lachaux v Lachaux [2019] 2 FLR 712 (Court of Appeal authority about recognition of foreign divorce and jurisdiction)
- Vasilyeva v Shemyakin [2019] 2 FLR 948 (Authority about the test for leave in Part III proceedings)
- E v A [2019] (Financial Remedy proceedings involving contested divorce and anti-suit injunction)
- Mantegazza v Mantegazza [2018] 3 FCR 864 (Authority about jurisdiction in high net worth case involving Switzerland)
- Aziz v Aziz [2017] (litigation with issue about non-marriage and alleged assets in excess of £1bn)
- Ecclestone v Stunt [2017] (acting for Trustees in divorce and financial proceedings)
- B v C [2017] (international forum dispute involving Hemain injunction)
- G v S [2017] 2 FLR 1207 (Authority about correct approach in Schedule 1 proceedings involving millionaire’s defence)
- H v W [2017] (Financial proceedings concerning trusts and companies; alleged assets of
- £4 bn)
- R v R [2017] (Dispute about validity of foreign marriage)
- D v D [2016] (Enforcement of post-nuptial agreement in case involving assets in excess of
- £1 bn)
- X v X [2016] (Special contribution case involving revolutionary technology and substantial assets)
- Quan v Bray [2015] 2 FLR 546 (‘the Chinese Tiger case’) (Authority about charities and nuptial settlements)
- WW v HW (Prenuptial Agreement: Needs: Conduct) [2016] 2 FLR 299 (Authority about impact of prenuptial agreement)
- X Trust [2015] (Acting for trustees in litigation involving high profile entrepreneur and very substantial assets)
- Mohan v Mohan [2013] EWCA Civ 586 (enforcement of financial order by judgment summons)
- Tchenguiz-Imerman v Imerman [2014] 1 FLR 232 (Authority about common interest privilege)
- Tchenguiz-Imerman v Imerman [2014] 1 FLR 865 (Authority about joinder of third parties)
- Tchenguiz-Imerman v Imerman [2013] 2 FLR 939 (Authority about disclosure of trust documents)
- V v V (Financial Relief) [2010] 2 FLR 516
- Mubarak v Mubarak [2001] 1 FLR 673 (Court of Appeal authority about piercing the
- Mubarak v Mubarak [2001] 1 FLR 698 (Leading Court of Appeal authority about judgment summons)
- Mubarak v Mubarak [2003] 2 FLR 553 (oral examination)
- Mubarak v Mubarak [2004] 2 FLR 932 (Hadkinson orders)
- Mubarak v Mubarik [2007] 1 FLR 722 (Hadkinson orders)
- Mubarak v Mubarak [2007] 2 FLR 364 (variation of settlement and section 37 MCA)
Richard Harrison has been involved in most of the Supreme Court international child abduction and enforcement cases of recent years including Re D [2016] UKSC 34, Re B [2016] UKSC 4, Re J [2015] UKSC 70, Re L [2013] UKSC 75, Re A [2013] UKSC 60 and Re E [2011] UKSC 27. He also acted for the successful appellant in the House of Lords decision in Re D (A child) [2006] UKHL 51. He also specialises in cases involving international forum disputes under Council Regulation (EC) 2201/2003 and the Family Law Act 1986.
He regularly represents Reunite International and has also acted on behalf of the International Centre for Family Law Policy and Practice, whose patron is Baroness Hale of Richmond.
Cases of interest include:
- Uhd v McKay [2019] EWHC 1239 (Fam) (Authority about Art 13(b) in context of domestic abuse and 1996 Hague Convention)
- Re S (Abduction: Hague Convention or BIIA) [2018] 2 FLR 1405 (Court of Appeal authority about ability to seek return order in cases involving abduction from UK)
- Re B (Return of Children) [2018] 2 FLR 663 (Court of Appeal authority about grave risk defence under Art 13(b))
- Re F (Children: Setting Aside Return Orders) [2017] 1 FLR 1535 (Court of Appeal authority about jurisdiction to set aside final orders)
- L v L [2017] (International forum dispute involving arbitration agreement)
- Re D (Children: Child Abduction: Practice) [2017] 1 FLR 1125 (Authority about court’s ability to curtail proceedings)
- Re D (A Child) (Supreme Court: Jurisdiction) [2016] 2 FLR 379 (Leading Supreme Court authority on appellate jurisdiction in Brussels IIR recognition cases)
- Re B (A Child) (Habitual Residence: Inherent Jurisdiction) [2016] 1 FLR 561 (Leading Supreme Court authority on habitual residence and parens patriae jurisdiction)
- Re J (Jurisdiction: Abduction) [2016] 1 FLR 170 (Leading Supreme Court authority on 1996 Hague Convention)
- Re S (Habitual residence and Child’s Objection’s: Brazil) [2015] 2 FLR 1338 (Court of Appeal authority about discretion in child objections cases)
- Re L (A Child) [2014] 1 FLR 772 (Leading Supreme Court authority about habitual residence and the inherent jurisdiction)
- Re A (A Child) [2014] 1 FLR 111 (Leading Supreme Court authority about habitual residence and jurisdiction based on nationality)
- Re L (Brussels II Revised: Appeal) [2013] 1 FLR 430 (Leading Court of Appeal authority about Brussels II Revised enforcement)
- Re C (Abduction: Setting Aside Return Order: Remission) [2013] 1 FLR 413 (Court of Appeal authority about objections of child)
- Cambra v Jones [2013] EWHC 88 (Fam) (Authority about court’s powers of enforcement)
- DL v EL (Hague Abduction Convention – Effect of Reversal of Return Order on Appeal) [2013] EWHC 49 (Fam)
- Re E (Children) (Abduction: Custody Appeal) [2012] 1 AC 144 (landmark Supreme Court decision about the Hague Convention)
- Re W (Abduction: Child’s Objections) [2010] 2 FLR 1165 (leading Court of Appeal authority on child objections in abduction cases)
- Re S (Abduction: Habitual Residence) [2010] 1 FLR 1146 Court of Appeal authority about habitual residence)
- Re P-J (Abduction: Habitual Residence: Consent) [2009] FLR 105 (Leading Court of Appeal authority on consent in abduction cases)
- F v M and N (Abduction: Acquiescence: Settlement) [2008] 2 FLR 1270 (Authority about defences to abduction proceedings)
- Re S (Brussels II Revised: Enforcement of contact order) [2008] 2 FLR 1358 (Authority about public policy exception to recognition and enforcement of European orders)
- M v T (Abduction) [2009] 1 FLR 309 (Authority about abduction and consent)
- Re D (A Child) [2006] 3 WLR 989 (Leading House of Lords case about rights of custody)
- EC-L v DM (Child Abduction: Costs) [2005] 2 FLR 772 (Leading authority on costs in abduction cases)
- RE A (Abduction: Rights of Custody: Imprisonment) [2004] 1 FLR 1 (Authority about exercise of rights of custody)
- Re D (Stay of Children Act proceedings) [2003] 2 FLR 1159 (Authority about stays on forum grounds under FLR 1986)
- TB v JB (Abduction: Grave RIsk of Harm) [2001] 2 FLR 515 (Court of Appeal authority about grave risk defence)
- Re C (Abduction: Grave Risk of Physical or Psychological Harm) [1999] 2 FLR 478
- Re M and J (International Judicial Collaboration) [2000] 1 FLR 803
Richard Harrison KC has expertise in relation to a broad range of private law children issues including international relocation applications and disputes over Child Arrangement Orders. He specialises in cases involving complex issues of jurisdiction and the enforcement of foreign orders under Brussels II Revised and/or the 1996 Hague Convention. He appeared in the House of Lords in Dawson v Wearmouth [1999] 2 AC 308, the leading authority on change of surname and has been involved in numerous jurisdictional disputes.
He has recently been involved in Lachaux, the leading Court of Appeal authority on the jurisdiction to make orders under the Children Act ‘in connection with’ matrimonial proceedings.
Cases of interest include
- Lachaux v Lachaux [2019] 2 FLR 712 (Court of Appeal authority about jurisdiction to make Children Act orders in connection with matrimonial proceedings)
- Re T [2019] (Contested relocation proceedings and application for costs on the basis of misconduct)
- L v L [2017] (International forum dispute involving arbitration agreement)
- M v W [2017] (successfully resisted relocation application overturning ISW recommendation)
- Re D (A Child) (Supreme Court: Jurisdiction) [2016] 2 FLR 379 (Leading Supreme Court authority on appellate jurisdiction in Brussels IIR recognition cases)
- Re B (A Child) (Habitual Residence: Inherent Jurisdiction) [2016] 1 FLR 561 (Leading Supreme Court authority on habitual residence and parens patriae jurisdiction)
- Re J (Jurisdiction: Abduction) [2016] 1 FLR 170 (Leading Supreme Court authority on 1996 Hague Convention)
- Re L (A Child) [2014] 1 FLR 772 (Leading Supreme Court authority about habitual residence and the inherent jurisdiction)
- Re L (Brussels II Revised: Appeal) [2013] 1 FLR 430 (Leading Court of Appeal authority about Brussels II Revised enforcement)
- AVM v RM (Children: Judge’s Visit to Private Home) [2013] 2 FLR 150 (Authority about propriety of Judge undertaking investigations in party’s home)
- AV v RM (Appeal) [2012] 2 FLR 709 (Fam) (test for permission to appeal)
- Re S (Brussels II Revised: Enforcement of contact order) [2008] 2 FLR 1358 (Authority about public policy exception to recognition and enforcement of European orders)
- Re D (Stay of Children Act proceedings) [2003] 2 FLR 1159 (Authority about stays on forum grounds under FLR 1986)
- Re X and Y (Leave to Remove from Jurisdiction: No Order Principle) [2001] 2 FLR 118
- Dawson v Wearmouth [1999] 2 AC 308 (Leading House of Lords authority on applications for change of surname)
Richard Harrison KC has been appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge assigned to the Family Division of the High Court. He is also a trained collaborative lawyer. He is instructed by leading firms to undertake Private FDRs in financial remedy cases.
Reputation & Awards
‘…widely regarded for his expertise in complex international child abduction cases. He is also sought after for the strength of his high-value matrimonial finance practice and has appeared in matters with a value of a billion pounds plus.’
CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS
“A down to earth, solution-orientated barrister, who is very articulate in court.” – Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Richard has a towering intellect and is able to grapple with the most complex of cases, turning the trickiest of legal arguments around.” – Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Able very quickly to distil complex issues into easily digestible solutions. Brilliant with clients, he cuts straight to the issues and chops everything down to five points, dealing with each in turn in detail.” – Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Richard is always meticulously prepared and has excellent client care skills. He is well-liked and highly regarded by his peers and the judiciary alike. He has an excellent sense of humour and is very likeable.” – Legal 200, 2024 – Leading Silk
“Richard is extremely intelligent and insightful, which shines through in his advice to clients and advocacy.” – Legal 200, 2024 – Leading Silk
“Richard is incredibly nice to work with. He has an unerring ability to gauge what a court is going to find persuasive and always judges cases well. He’s absolutely excellent.” – Chambers and Partners 2023
“Richard Harrison is a class act in every way. His advice and delivery is tailored to the client’s capacity and appetite for nuance and detail. He’s insightful and reassuring in conference or in court. His advocacy is calmly effective and utterly persuasive.” – Chambers and Partners 2023
‘Richard is an outstanding silk with encyclopedic knowledge. He has an excellent advocacy skills – second to none. His attention to detail and preparation is amazing.’ – Legal 500, 2023 – Leading Silk
“Richard is extremely clever, tactically astute and a brilliant choice of high value and complex litigation.” – Legal 500, 2023 – Leading Silk
“Richard has phenomenal analytical skills, which enables him to see the big picture and cut straight to the heart of the issue. Richard’s style of advocacy is understated and disarming yet phenomenally effective. There are very few advocates who can change the mind of a High Court judge, and Richard is one of them. ” – Legal 500, 2022
“A highly intelligent, thorough and user-friendly silk, with great judgement and who is always prepared to go the extra mile.” – Legal 500, 2022
“His ability to keep hold of the facts and apply the law to them is phenomenal. He has a huge brain which he uses to distil his arguments into bite-sized information that the judge is able to understand.” – Chambers and Partners 2021
“A man who really cares and fights for his clients, he is good both on paper and on his feet.” – Chambers and Partners 2021
‘The master of the understated approach. I have lost count of the number of times he has found the winning point buried in a mountain of paper.’ – Legal 500, 2021
His attention to detail is second to none. I have been in court when a judge has said that he has “encyclopaedic knowledge”. He is meticulous in his preparation and knows about every case in the history of international child abduction.’ – Legal 500, 2021
‘widely regarded for his expertise in both top-end matrimonial finance and complex children work. He is equally at home dealing with multibillion-pound divorces and international children arrangements.’ – Chambers and Partners 2020
“Very clever and technically extremely able, he will listen to the client and the client will feel as though they’ve been heard. His real skill is in the most complicated cases – he is tenacious in getting on top of the detail and is always reassuring.” – Chambers and Partners 2020
“He has utter mastery of very complicated international law.” – Chambers and Partners 2020
‘Richard Harrison QC is a devastating cross-examiner and he is super bright and assured in dealing with clients.’ – Legal 500 2020
‘He has a head for figures and his judgement is impeccable.’ – Legal 500 2019
“He’s got a really quick mind and he doesn’t give way in court.” – Chambers & Partners 2018
‘…widely regarded for his expertise in complex international child abduction cases. He is also sought after for the strength of his high-value matrimonial finance practice and has appeared in matters with a value of a billion pounds plus.’ – Chambers and Partners 2017
‘He’s very clever, very modest, user-friendly and well respected by judges. An absolute expert.’ – Chambers and Partners 2017
‘Particularly devastating in cross-examination and the silk to have on side when you need to think creatively.’ – The Legal 500 2016
‘Meticulously prepared and hugely intelligent.’ – The Legal 500 2016
‘He is highly respected across a broad range of children law and matrimonial finance cases… He is particularly good on forum disputes.’ – Chambers and Partners 2014
‘He is prodigiously clever and never fails to dazzle clients with his superlative analytical skills and the ease with which he navigates around obscure points of law’ – Chambers and Partners 2014
‘Top class advocate Richard Harrison QC … will go far’ – The Legal 500 2014
‘The ‘superb’ Richard Harrison QC is expected to progress well following his appointment to silk in 2012. He is highly rated for both children law and matrimonial finance disputes…’ – Chambers and Partners 2013
‘[His] command of the technical aspects of the law is peerless’ – The Legal 500 2013
‘Richard Harrison is equally good at both children and money work. ‘He is so good at whatever he turns his hand to that other barristers often go to him for answers,’ said one interviewee. Observers also note that ‘he is fiendishly clever, his paperwork is always meticulously prepared and he is excellent on his feet and with clients.’ – Chambers and Partners 2012
‘a High Court Judge in the making’ – The Legal 500 2012
‘..skilled at both matrimonial finance and child abduction. Harrison ’commands the respect of the court’ and is particularly known for his Brussels II expertise’ – Chambers & Partners 2011
‘…ranks well beyond his call‘; ‘exceptionally clever, with incredible technical abilities‘. – The Legal 500 2009
‘…turns the heads of solicitors as he can ‘get on top of a hell of a lot of paper in a very short space of time’. He is ‘ one of the better counsel for dealing with a mix of children and finance in the same case,’ and is being seen in increasingly big cases. – Chambers & Partners 2009
Awards
Nominated for Legal 500 Family Law Silk of the Year 2019
Nominated for Chambers and Partners Family Law Silk of the Year 2017
Chambers and Partners Band 1 for both finance and children
Education
Cranleigh School
Emmanuel College, Cambridge (MA in Spanish and French)
City University (Diploma in Law)
Professional Memberships
Appointed a Deputy High Court Judge assigned to the Family Division (2019)
Fellow of International Academy of Family Lawyers
Family Law Bar Association
Lawyers for Liberty
Languages
Spanish (bilingual) and French
Publications
Co-author of 1KBW on Trusts in Matrimonial Finance Proceedings
Consultant Editor of Hershman and McFarlane Child Law and Practice
Consultant editor of Jordans International Child Law Portal