Philippa Harris

Introduction & Contact details

Philippa is a talented junior practitioner with a developing practice that encompasses all the main areas of commercial and chancery work.

Philippa has in depth experience in both the advisory and adversarial aspects of her practice and has appeared before the court at all levels including the High Court and specialised forums such as the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal. Philippa advises in respect of all aspects of the client’s case from pre-action to appeal and has successfully represented large commercial clients to private individuals.

Other Experience

Philippa has recently returned from being on secondment to AON insurers as in-house counsel advising on a range of legal issues arising out of professional negligence claims against solicitors, acting in a number of legal disciplines including conveyancing, probate, matrimonial and commercial and property litigation.

Publications

Philippa was a contributing author of Cases that Changed the World (1st Edition)(Butterworths)(2010)

Philippa recently wrote an article that appeared in the Times Online in respect of consumerism and the 21st Century. 

Qualifications

• BPP School of Law BVC – Very Competent (2004-2005)
• Albion Richardson Scholarship – Gray’s Inn (2004)
• Bristol University, LLB Law Degree – 1st Class Honours (2000-2003)  

Professional Associations

• Property Bar Association

T:   020 7242 2523 (switchboard)
F:   020 7691 1234
E:   philippa.harris@hardwicke.co.uk

Property & Private Client

Property Litigation

Philippa undertakes advisory and advocacy work relating to the use and occupation of land and has advised clients on a wide range of issues from client’s seeking initial advice and assistance about their rights and obligations to representation before a court or tribunal.

Philippa’s recent experience includes acting in possession, boundaries and easement disputes as well as cases involving all aspects of mortgages, options and restrictive covenants.  She has also undertaken a wide range of landlord and tenant matters including representing clients in respect of assured and assured shorthold tenancies, disputes relating to disrepair, forfeiture and repossessions.

Recent examples:

• Representing a major mortgage lender in contested possession proceedings involving allegations of fraud, undue influence and lender misconduct;
• Representing a private individual opposing an application for sale and possession of a property by a trustee in bankruptcy;
• Advising on a number of issues arising out of a lease renewal under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954;
• Representing a landlord in a service charge dispute in the LVT;
• Delivering specialist advice on dealing with enfranchisement.

Contentious and Non-Contentious Probate

Philippa undertakes all types of work relating to the estate of a deceased person. Clients range from executors and beneficiaries to creditors of the deceased. She has advised on claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, rectification and validity of wills, removal of personal representatives, undue influence claims, especially those involving the elderly and vulnerable and disputes relating to the construction of wills and trusts including the proper administration of the estate.

Recent examples:

• Advising and representing a beneficiary of a will on questions of invalidity and undue influence;
• Advising and representing a widow in a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975;
• Representing a beneficiary in an application to remove a personal representative.

Trusts of Land

Philippa undertakes advisory work in respect of trusts of land disputes in both the domestic and commercial context. She has experience of representing clients in relation to disputes about the existence, construction and operation of express trusts, constructive trusts and resulting trusts relating to land addressing issues such as proprietary estoppels, orders for sale and for accounts and division of sale proceeds.

Recent examples:

• Representing a private individual in contested proceedings in a claim brought under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 involving technical issues such as asset tracing;
• Representing a chargee in contested proceedings relating to an order for sale.

Professional Negligence

Philippa undertakes work in professional negligence claims against solicitors advising in respect of contentious and non-contentious matters.

Recent examples:

• Advising an insurer in relation to a professional negligence claim against a solicitor arising out of matrimonial, probate, property and litigation proceedings;
• Representing a solicitor in contested proceedings arising out of a property transaction;
• Advising a major insurer in respect of lender claims against solicitors and strategy.

Commercial

Philippa regularly represents lenders, insolvency practitioners and fixed charge receivers in respect of property and commercial matters. Philippa has obtained orders for vacant possession, including against squatters, and advised on strategy.

Recent examples:

• Representing a significant mortgage lender seeking an order for vacant possession;
• Representing a leading property company in bankruptcy proceedings against a tenant;
• Representing an individual in personal bankruptcy proceedings;
• Advising a spouse on the impact of pending bankruptcy proceedings on her divorce.