Harry Hodgkin LLB

Membership Status: Arbitrator, Barrister - Full Member

General Information

Harry is co-founder of Clerksroom and Head of Chambers.

Harry had a broad commercial and chancery practice. He is an experienced High Court advocate and draftsman of commercial, contractual and property transactions. 

Harry has acted in cases of varying sizes and complexity, ranging from high-value commercial actions to smaller trials and applications. 

Harry is no longer practising at the Bar as of 1st January 2022 but continues to act as Head of Chambers and his role within Clerksroom as co-founder.

Areas of law

Personal Interests

Harry is married and enjoys being a dad. In his spare time, he paints, goes mountain walking with his dogs, and studies ancient history. He loves opera, baseball and ice hockey.

 

Feedback

Harry [Hodgkin] took on our brief and responded quickly with all the skill and expertise required. He was quick to appreciate and deal with the commercial issues involved, which were of paramount importance to us.

Matthew Somervell, Finance Director Morgan Law Partners LLP

I have instructed Harry [Hodgkin] for a number of years. He is an excellent advocate with great courtroom presence. However, it is Harry's work outside court that particularly sets him apart. He is very quick to grasp the legal and factual issues. His rapid and accurate assessment of practical and commercial considerations allows cases to progress on a realistic and sound footing with an increased likelihood of settlement. He is accessible and personable both with professional and lay clients.

David Brown, Partner Wartnaby Hefford

Harry Hodgkin's extensive knowledge of the law, applied to the highest professional standard, has enabled me to take my commercial litigation practice to new levels. Harry has that rare ability of being able to dissect the most daunting legal issue, and make it appear effortless.

Peter Beckerley, Managing Director Rausa Mumford

Harry Hodgkin represented one party in a difficult mediation in an exemplary manner. A settlement of the complicated dispute followed as a result of his helpful, sensible and practical approach.

Sir Peter Cresswell Retired Judge acting as mediator

Harry [Hodgkin] did a fantastic job on our behalf. We were amazed how he managed to get his head around all the facts in such a short time scale.

D.P. Public Access client

Publications

Ritchie and Ors v Kolah and Ors re: GO DPO EU Compliance [2021] EWHC 1765 (Ch)
Comment:
Liability trial before ICC Judge Jones, s994 petitions, acting for lead petitioner, involving breach of directors' fiduciary duties and unfairly prejudicial conduct to shareholders in the wrongful diversion of business opportunities and secret profits.

Valbonne Estates Ltd v Cityvalue Ltd and United Homes Ltd [2021] EWHC 544 (Ch)
Comment:
Application before Bacon, J to set aside a proprietary injunction on grounds of misrepresentation and non-disclosure.

Hakimzay Ltd v Swailes [2015] EWHC B14 (Ch) (25 February 2015) (Bailii).
Comment:
The effect of serving a notice to complete and making time of the essence of the contract can be misunderstood, as this case illustrates. Service of a notice to complete does not make time of the essence on an ongoing basis. Service of a notice to complete fixes a date for performance. Failure to perform by the date that has been fixed constitutes a repudiatory breach of contract. The innocent party can elect not to accept that repudiation and so the contract continues. The basis of that non-acceptance may be that a new date for completion is agreed. Whether time is of the essence in relation to that new date will depend on the facts and the basis upon which the new date is agreed. The defaulting party cannot unilaterally re-write the terms of the agreement, for example, by offering late performance.

Harry Hodgkin

phone01823 247 247

[email protected]

Qualified in 1983