Ms Helen Harper > Chambers of Mark Twomey KC and Alison Easton > London, England > Barrister Profile

Ms Helen Harper

Work Department

Adoption; Alternative Families; Children; Genetics; International

Position

Helen is an experienced child law specialist. Her practice covers all matters relating to adoption, care proceedings and disputes about children arising within families. She is regularly instructed by parents, extended family members, children (both directly and through their guardians), local authorities and adoption agencies.

She has particular expertise in:

• International adoption (under the Hague Adoption Convention and otherwise)

• Factually complex public and private children law matters – such as those involving allegations of Non Accidental Injury (including allegations of baby shaking), Fabricated and Induced Illness and serious sexual assaults

• Special guardianship

In addition to attending court hearings, Helen also undertakes advisory work for solicitors, adoption agencies and individuals.

Career

Helen recently returned to the Bar following a two and a half year sabbatical working as an advisory lawyer at the Department for Education, where Helen’s areas of responsibility included:

• Inter-country adoption (DfE is the Central Authority for the Hague Adoption Convention),
• Domestic adoption matters (including Regional Adoption Agencies, post adoption contact/information and adoption support),
• Matters relating to care proceedings (particularly those with an international element),
• The Special Guardianship Review 2015 (and amendments to the Special Guardianship Regulations),
• Bills including the Children and Families Act 2014 and the Education and Adoption Act 2016

Consequently, Helen has a unique and thorough knowledge of the legal framework in these areas. This understanding, combined with her friendly and approachable manner, her ability to absorb complex factual matters at speed and effective advocacy skills, means that she is able to secure the trust of clients quickly and easily and deliver positive outcomes for them, often in difficult and stressful situations.

As a qualified mediator, Helen understands that where possible, negotiated settlements can often be in a client’s best interests as the client will be able to have some direct control over the outcome. However, in those situations where this is not possible, Helen embraces the adversarial court process and is an impressive and persuasive advocate.

 

Memberships

Family Law Bar Association; Association of Lawyers for Children; CoramBAAF Legal Group

Middle Temple

Education

LLB Law (2001); Bar Vocational Course (2002)