Harry’s journey to the bar came after working in the construction industry whilst gaining his academic and professional qualifications. His wide knowledge base; professional pragmatism; and diligent pride in his work are the foundations of his practice.
Harry has evolved his traditional common law practice into a bespoke chancery and commercial practice, with a particular focus on construction disputes, company and partnership disputes, probate and insolvency matters and trusts and equity litigation. His experience in construction claims necessarily requires that he regularly advise upon Landlord and Tenant matters.
His ToLATA knowledge and experience in Family FInance work creates a portmanteau practice encapsulating contentious probate matters; he regularly represents clients in both probate cases and ToLATA claims from inception through to their determination; starting from advising pre-action, drafting all necessary statements of case and providing representation in both the County Court and the High Court.
He continues his personal injury practice, with a focus on appearing for Defendants in Public Liability and Employer’s Liability claims; both Claimants and Defendants in construction related claims; and the Claimant in industrial disease claims including an experienced practice in asbestos claims. In keeping with his PhD studies he appears for both Claimant and Defendant in clinical negligence claims.
Academically, his Research Masters focused upon director’s fiduciary duties and Management Buyouts and the practical element of his PhD studies focused on medical negligence and ethics. He enrolled on the Costs Lawyers qualification shortly after gaining tenancy and gained the qualification after completing the requisite three year study period.
His prior experience in construction introduced him to the real face of construction contracts and construction disputes and has lent a reassuring practicality in his approach to his work, cases and lay clients which is a cornerstone of his practice.
Dawnvale Cafe Components Limited v Hylgar Properties Limited [2024] EWHC 1199 (TCC)
Harry East appeared on behalf of the Defendant in Part 8 proceedings for declaratory relief and where the High Court clarified whether it was permissible to seek alternative heads of loss which arose from the same repudiatory breach that had been considered in a prior adjudication.
Bexhill Construction Ltd v Kingsmead Homes Ltd [2023] EWHC 2344 (TCC)
https://knyvet.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/TCC/2023/2344.html
On application for summary judgment over a disputed adjudication finding, the High Court held that there was no natural breach of natural justice where the adjudicator had not considered the significant Defence put forward by one party.
LJR Interiors Limited V Cooper Construction Limited [2023] EWHC 3339 (TCC)
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/TCC/2023/3339.html
The High Court ruled on the application of time limits for referring disputes to Adjudication.
Aston Risk Management Ltd v Jones and others [2023] EWHC 603 (Ch)
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2023/603.html
Harry acted for the principal Defendant during the drafting, case management stage and interlocutory hearings. The High Court found that the director of a holding company was, in his individual capacity, acting as a de facto director of the holding company’s subsidiary.
Jack v Borys [2019] 12 WLUK 606
The appeal court overturned the lower court’s decision that the Claimant had benefited from betterment in circumstances where his vehicle had no MOT prior to the accident but he was then provided with a credit hire vehicle which held a valid MOT and was legally roadworthy.
Meadows v La Tasca Restaurants Limited [2016]EW Misc B28 (CC)
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/Misc/2016/B28.html
On appeal the lower court’s finding of fundamental dishonesty was overturned.
Harry's Chancery and Commercial practice ranges from commercial debt work, insolvency, bankruptcy and sale of goods work. He advises in all aspects of Landlord and Tenant, including commercial leases, residential housing and possession claims. Boundary disputes, easements and adverse possession.
His Chancery, Commercial and Family practices overlap in areas such as Inheritance Act (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 disputes; Wills, Trusts, and Probate; and claims brought under the Trusts of Land and Appointment and Trustees Act 1996.
His experience ranges across construction, engineering, professional negligence and planning matters, including adjudication; more pertinently the civil enforcement of adjudicator’s decisions.
He has experience with a number of standard forms including JCT, NEC and RIBA forms. In particular his prior experience has given him a working and intimate understanding of JCT form contracts.
Harry came to the Bar from a previous career working in construction as a main contractor, running a small main contractor firm with an annual turnover of circa £4.5 million. His work was predominantly tendered through privately engaged Contract Administrators working for the NHS, Education sector and also directly through Local Authorities in London and the South East. He has hands on experience with contracts in the value of £1.5 – 2 million pounds and the practical issues arsing from disputes with sub-contractors, Contract Administrators and clients. He understands the technical, and less technical, language and aspects of the construction process.
He currently pitches himself as junior barrister who is an economic alternative in matters of the value he has personal experience in, where professional legal costs may be often appear disproportionate; whilst providing detailed, professional and practical advice in quick time and without fuss. He is always happy to offer informal advice or engage in exploratory dialogue, by telephone if necessary.
He regularly appears in the County Court in both fast track and multi-track matters and undertakes all manner of drafting and the provision of advice, including applications for enforcement of adjudicators decisions. A contemporary cross section of work that Harry is currently involved in includes:-
• Professional negligence claim against a building surveyor on the Fast Track.
• A contractual dispute predominantly regarding a pay less notice between the main contractor and the electrical sub-contractor, in a university refurbishment project, on the multi-track.
• The Enforcement of an Adjudicator’s decision in the sum of £110,000.00 with an ancillary Part 7 claim for further unpaid amounts that fell outside of the adjudicator’s decision, between the groundworker and developer on a new build housing estate.
• Advising in relation to the prospects and practicalities on the development of roof space to a block of flats
Providing advice, appearing in FDA, FDR and Final Hearings, Harry has created a bespoke Financial Remedies practice which complement’s his ToLATA and Probate work.
Harry has an extensive practice in EL and PL personal injury claims including high value and high loss claims. Regularly appearing in the asbestos list and speedily turning his papers for his clients. He has appeared in number of cases on appeal concerning relief from sanctions, fundamental dishonesty and fixed costs.
Harry took the time to undertake and complete the 3 year Association of Costs Lawyers Qualification during his first years as a tenant.
He provides advocacy and advice in all forms of inter partes costs disputes together with drafting and advisory services in relation to litigation funding; from CFAs and DBAs through to third party and commercial funding and costs insurance. He also undertakes non -contentious advisory and drafting work.
He appears in detailed assessments and section 71 solicitor-client assessments; advising in relation to solicitor’s liens, and delivery up of client files. He often appears in cost budgeting hearings. He regularly argues points concerning the enforceability of retainers and issues surrounding departing from the approved costs budget as well as pre - action conduct and its impact on costs.
A brief selection of costs matters he has recently been involved in include:-
Harry is always happy to discuss issues over the telephone and prides himself on making himself available to his clients.