Harriet Williams > Park Square Barristers > North

Children Law

Ranked as ‘Rising Star’ in both the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Legal 500, Harriet is a specialist family barrister with a focus on proceedings involving complex issues and significant non-accidental injury. Prior to joining the Bar, Harriet worked in the clinical negligence team of the UK’s leading litigation-only law firm. Her familiarity with medical records and evidence has swiftly earnt her a reputation for skill beyond her year of call, particularly when cross-examining experts.

Harriet’s practice spans the breadth of Children Act cases, including public law (care) cases and private cases and she is regularly instructed by parents, children and local authorities, representing each client with equal tenacity. Her work includes cases involving:

Child death
Serious non-accidental injury, including multiple fractures
Genetic conditions
Endocrinological bone disorders and blood disorders
Significant neglect
Sexual abuse (of children and adults)
Psychiatric or psychological conditions or illnesses
Parents with learning difficulties
Domestic violence
Same-sex or transgender parents
Substance misuse
Factitious illness and injury
Female Genital Mutilation
'Honour-based' violence
Breakdown of adoption

Harriet has undertaken the Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training programme and is skilled at building a rapport with clients who lack capacity, those who are care leavers or victims of serious violence and abuse, and children who are competent to instruct representation in their own right. On her feet, she is known for her resourcefulness and ability to grapple with complex procedural issues, whilst professional and lay clients alike have described her warm and engaging approach as ‘a real comfort blanket.’

In terms of her private law practice, Harriet represents parents and children by their Court-appointed Guardian in cases involving:

Domestic abuse and coercive control
Issues around contact
Domestic and sexual violence
Parental alienation
Implacable hostility
Removal from the jurisdiction

Court of Protection & Adult Care

Harriet accepts instructions in Court of Protection proceedings, representing the full range of parties including local authorities, ICBs, NHS Trusts and the Official Solicitor. She regularly appears in cases involving welfare decisions and deprivations of liberty, including reviews under s21A Mental Capacity Act. Harriet has recently been successful in an application for the revocation of Lasting Powers of Attorney which were registered and executed at a time when P lacked capacity.

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