Practice Areas
Dispute Resolution
Direct Access
Awards
Commended for contribution to Rule of Law and Access to Justice – Financial Times FT50 Intelligent Business Awards 2019
“A very dynamic advocate.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
Experience
Year of Call: 2001
Education
BA (Hons) Newcastle University
LLB (Hons)
City University
Qualified Collaborative Lawyer
Trained Mediator
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-)
Profile
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.
Family Finance
Ranked as a leading junior in the major directories for many years, Harry advises and represents clients about the financial consequences of divorce.
Noted by the market for his comprehensive understanding of technically complex matters and meticulous case preparation, he is often instructed in cases with multi-jurisdictional issues, involving trusts and corporate assets, and also advises in relation to less commonplace financial matters such as child maintenance appeals, enforcement actions, foreign court orders, and costs cases.
Harry also has expertise in advising unmarried clients about the financial impact of separation and in connection with financial support for their children (‘Schedule 1 claims’).
Harry is regularly instructed as a private FDR evaluator.
Non-court dispute resolution
Harry’s years of experience in practice have provided a good vantage point to see that, for the right cases, NCDR can bring a much more efficient, cost-effective and dignified outcome for families.
Harry is in demand as a private FDR evaluator.
In 2018 he, and fellow barrister Samantha Woodham, set up The Divorce Surgery, which was the first regulated law firm to enable separating couples to share a lawyer on divorce. The Divorce Surgery was then named as one of the FT50 most innovative law firms in Europe. Over the ensuing years, sharing a lawyer has become an established part of the legal landscape on divorce (the ‘one couple one lawyer’ concept is specifically referenced in the 2024 changes to the Pre-application Protocol).
Harry appears regularly in print and broadcast media and together with Samantha was commissioned by Harper Collins to write a book about how couples can divorce well: The Divorce Surgery: The Art of Untying the Knot.
Private Children Law
Unusually, Harry has maintained his private children law practice alongside his financial work, which makes him a natural choice when the same counsel is sought to advise on both aspects.
Harry is often instructed at the earliest stages, where advice is sought on all issues pre-proceedings, or where the children aspects have a linked financial component.
Harry has extensive experience of advising upon and litigating cases where one party is seeking to relocate, within or outside the jurisdiction.
Professional Memberships
FLBA
South Eastern Circuit
Lincoln’s Inn
Directories
“A reliable performer who is willing to fight for his clients, whilst always taking a realistic view.”
“A very dynamic advocate.”
“Combines an eye for detail with a pragmatic grasp of the overall picture in a case.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
‘Harry has a calm manner and gives clear and sensible advice. He is good with difficult clients and able to get them to focus on the real issues.’
Legal 500, 2024
“Harry Gates is a formidable advocate who covers a wide practice area.”
“Very hard-working and well prepared, he grasps and cuts through important concepts quickly, simplifying them so that clients can better understand.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
‘Harry is an excellent senior junior. He knows his way round the judges and courts and his views are well respected. He is a class act all round.’
Legal 500, 2023
“Careful and considered.” “He is personable, meticulous in terms of his preparation, and great with clients.” “He’s constructive, problem-solving and focused on trying to minimise conflict.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
‘A great negotiator. Meticulous in his preparation. Clients love Harry. He manages to cut through the complexities of a case to give concise, client-focused advice with charm.’
Legal 500, 2022
“To the point while remaining friendly and sympathetic to clients, he’s always on hand to offer support and has good drafting skills.” “Pragmatic, no-nonsense and user-friendly.” “He is great at building a rapport with clients, and is a strong spearhead of any legal team.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
‘Is absolutely charming with clients and wins them over straightaway, whilst also giving clear and honest advice. He is thoroughly well prepared and is an impressive advocate. His commitment to cases really shines through.’
Legal 500, 2021
“Always good-natured and well prepared. He never flaps, he’s great with clients and he’s good on his feet.”
Chambers & Partners 2020
‘Has a real grasp of all the nuances in each case and is clearly very well prepared for each hearing.’
Legal 500, 2020
‘A practising barrister at specialist family law chambers 4 Paper Buildings since 2001, Harry Gates brings a wealth of experience to the table. Harry’s advice is most often sought in relation to the financial consequences of relationship breakdown. He has particular expertise in cases involving complicated asset structures, such as trusts and companies, or where assets are located overseas. Harry is recommended as a leading barrister in the major legal directories, who note his approachable style and meticulous preparation.’
Tatler High Net Worth 2020
A finance junior with an established practice in financial remedy cases, including those with an international element. Particularly noted for his experience dealing with complex asset structures and hidden assets, including offshore trusts and companies.
Strengths: “He is a gentleman and has a lovely approach with clients. He has a confident manner that belies his comparative youth, and is convincing in his explanations to solicitors, clients and the court.”
Chambers & Partners 2019
‘An eloquent advocate who is quietly successful again and again.’
Legal 500, 2019