4PB

Finance; Non-court dispute resolution; Private Children Law

Overview

Harry is a barrister focusing on high-value financial disputes and contentious private law children cases.

Combining technical expertise with emotional intelligence, Harry is noted for his calmness under fire, meticulous preparation and ability to build rapport with clients, opponents and judges alike and is recognised as a leader in his field in Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, Spears and the Tatler High Net Worth Guide.

Away from the courtroom, Harry is a leader in the field of Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR). Together with Samantha Woodham, a fellow member of chambers, Harry is co-founder of The Divorce Surgery, a unique service which allows couples to obtain joint, impartial expert legal advice at any stage of their separation, with a view to minimising conflict and costs:
www.thedivorcesurgery.co.uk.

The Divorce Surgery has won numerous industry awards. The former President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby, has said:

‘The Divorce Surgery is a striking example of what can be achieved by those with the vision to see outside traditional approaches. Samantha Woodham and Harry Gates are to be congratulated for their bold innovation, which we should all wish well and hope to see extended’.

Harry appears regularly in the print and broadcast media on matters to do with NCDR and in 2022 co-wrote a book about how couples can divorce well: The Divorce Surgery: The Art of Untying the Knot (Harper Collins, 2022).

Harry has a reputation as an even-handed and diligent private FDR evaluator in matrimonial finance cases.

Awards

Commended for contribution to Rule of Law and Access to Justice – Financial Times FT50 Intelligent Business Awards 2019

Appointments

FLBA co-representative (appointed) on the Bar Council 2019 and 2020 Director and co-founder of The Divorce Surgery (2018-) Single Lawyer Working Group (2023-)

French, Spanish.

Professional Memberships

FLBA South Eastern Circuit Lincoln’s Inn

Education & Qualifications

BA (Hons) Newcastle University LLB (Hons) City University Qualified Collaborative Lawyer Trained Mediator

Football.