Mr Tom Harrill > Chambers of Elizabeth Isaacs KC > Birmingham, England > Barrister Profile
St Ives Chambers Offices
St Ives Chambers
1-3 WHITTALL STREET
BIRMINGHAM
B4 6DH
England
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Mr Tom Harrill
Work Department
Tom Harrill is a Barrister specialising in Family law.
Position
Tom practises exclusively in Family law and specialises in matters related to children. He has a busy practice and is known for his pragmatic, tactical approach and keen attention to detail in even the most factually complex cases.
Tom runs Chambers’ Family law training programme. He regularly speaks on all aspects of Family law to solicitors and other professionals.
Recent cases:
Re: A (Surrogacy: s.54 Criteria) [2020] EWHC 1426 (Fam)
Re C (A Child: Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order) [2020] EWHC 2141 (Fam)
Career
Year of Call: 2013
Private Law Children
Tom is experienced in acting for parents, children and members of the extended family in all aspects of private-law disputes. He is sensitive toward the particular challenges which are posed in private law litigation whilst maintaining a tactically-driven approach. Tom prefers to be instructed at an early stage in private proceedings and to work in partnership with his solicitors so that his clients have the benefit of their full legal team.
Tom has recently been instructed in cases with issues including:
- Alleged serious physical and sexual violence
- Alleged parental alienation
- Alleged drug and alcohol misuse
- Internal and external relocation, including to non-Hague Convention countries
- Challenging section 7 reports
- Transfer of living arrangements
- Contact
- Schooling
- Change of name
- Declarations of parentage
- Special guardianship
Public Law Children
Tom is regularly instructed to represent parents, local authorities, children, and interveners in care proceedings, from the first hearing to contested interim hearings, fact finding hearings and final hearings.
Tom has recently been instructed in cases involving:
- Serious non-accidental injury to children (including multiple fractures and brain injury)
- Serious sexual abuse
- Cross-jurisdictional terrorism and wardship
- Trafficking and modern-day slavery
- International child abduction
- Issues under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008
- Chronic neglect
- Domestic violence
- Contested applications for adoption orders
Court of Protection
Tom often acts for protected parties via the Official Solicitor in claims linked to, or arising out of, care proceedings. He has particular experience in cases involving vulnerable adults who have been subject to alleged trafficking and modern-day slavery and the interplay between the Mental Capacity Act and the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice.
Languages
English
Memberships
The Midland Circuit
Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
Family Law Bar Association
Education
University of Law, Birmingham: BPTC, Very Competent (2013)
University of Birmingham: Graduate Diploma in Law, Commendation (2012)
University of Birmingham: BA English, First Class Honours (2011)
Lawyer Rankings
Regional Bar > Midland Circuit > Family: children and domestic violence
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 1Tom Harrill – St Ives Chambers ‘Tom is an exceptional advocate. He is meticulous, and his preparation is second-to-none. He has a vast knowledge of both private and public law. He is good with clients, providing clear and robust advice in a clear language all can understand.’
Birmingham’s St Ives Chambers is a ‘fantastic set for family law’ with ‘unrivalled strength in depth’ and offers advice across both public and private law children work. Elizabeth Isaacs KC is a ‘highly experienced and focused advocate’ with particular expertise in child death, serious physical injury, and sexual abuse cases, while Tom Harrill has handled a number of cases involving especially vulnerable parties. Other key members of the team include the ‘thorough and diligent’ Matthew Maynard, who regularly handles cases touching on issues of surrogacy and assisted reproduction. Timothy Bowe KC was appointed silk in the 2023 round.