• 'She is an excellent all-rounder, who is quick-witted and a pleasure to work with.'  Chambers UK (2023)
  • 'Rebecca is a formidable opponent and is always fully prepared' Chambers UK  (2023)
  • 'A great advocate who is very good with clients, solution-focused and thorough in her preparation.' Chambers UK 2018
  • 'A pleasure to work with: she gives highly effective and practical solutions to complex issues.'
    Legal 500 2018
 

Rebecca Harris

  • An eloquent and persuasive advocate, who approaches every area of her work with commitment and pragmatism; Rebecca Harris is an established leading junior favoured in regulatory and criminal law at every level and often in the most difficult cases.

    Crime

    A highly-regarded leading junior, Rebecca Harris has a well-established track record in crime having acted in some of the most challenging cases. Her work has encompassed the entire range of criminal offences and has regularly involved serious, complex and high-profile matters including serious violence and sexual offences, fraud and financial crime. She is chosen by clients for her detailed and comprehensive case preparation and revered for the charming and persuasive manner in which she addresses both Judge and Jury.

    Regulatory

    Recommended in the directories as a leading junior in regulatory law and professional discipline, Rebecca is routinely instructed in the most high-profile and complex cases in these areas of practice. She acts for a variety of regulatory bodies and professional registrants. She undertakes involved regulatory advisory work as well as appearing at hearings, both prosecuting and defending. She sits as a member of the RFU Judicial Panel and the specialist RFU Safeguarding Panel. Rebecca has expertise in general crime and public law; she is well placed to deal with regulatory matters as they progress to a criminal investigation, applications for judicial review and, where a death has occurred, inquests. Rebecca’s fair but always firm approach means that she is an ever-popular choice amongst professional clients.

    Reviews 

    Chambers UK 2024: Professional Discipline – Band 1

    Legal 500 2024: Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law – Tier 2

    "Rebecca is one of the foremost counsel in the field. Supremely prepared and dedicated, Rebecca has excellent knowledge and skill in professional discipline. A fearless and highly respected advocate with close to peerless skills in the most complex and difficult matters." Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2024) 

    'She is extremely intelligent, thorough and articulate. Her questioning and submissions are always fair and realistic, rather than abrasive or aggressive.‘ Legal 500 Professional Discipline (2024) 

    'She is an excellent all-rounder, who is quick-witted and a pleasure to work with.' 'Rebecca is a formidable opponent and is always fully prepared' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2023)

    ‘She is an impeccable advocate on every level: preparation, execution and above all, fairness.‘ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory (2023)

    'She is formidable, cuts through issues very easily and is pleasant to work with. She's well respected and does really good work. Rebecca is an approachable and persuasive advocate. She identifies the key issues in a case with ease and provides effective, practical advice. A pleasure to work with.' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2022)

    'A razor-sharp, quick witted advocate who is effortlessly charming, cool under pressure and able to exceed the expectations of clients and solicitors alike. Unquestionably one of the finest advocates in the field.' Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory (2022)

    'Good on the law and a good advocate.' 'Really experienced and accomplished.' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2021)

    'As an advocate she has an authority which commands the respect of the panels before whom she appears. She is a firm, but always fair, prosecutor with excellent judgement.' Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2021)

    ‘Thoroughly competent and creative in the way she provides advice to clients. She is very client-centric and always puts what the client wants first. She is well thought of as a go-to for difficult matters.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2020)

    ‘Her advocacy is eloquent and balanced, which she combines with great personal charm.’ Legal 500 Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law (2020)

    ‘A pleasure to work with. She is extremely able and gives highly effective practical solutions to complex legal issues. A very clever and pragmatic advocate.’ ‘Very experienced.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2019)

    ‘A pleasure to work with: she gives highly effective and practical solutions to complex issues.’ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2018)

    ‘A great advocate who is very good with clients, solution-focused and thorough in her preparation.’ ‘Eloquent and persuasive.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2018)

    ‘Charming and good-humoured, as well as a clever and pragmatic advocate.’ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2017)

    ‘She is a delight to work with. A highly practical advocate, who sees the bigger picture and achieves results with the minimum of fuss.’ ‘She is a first-class advocate who is able to marshal complex dental evidence with great skill. She can explain difficult concepts to clients in a simple and accessible way.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2016)

    ‘She is very sensible, experienced and has good judgement.’ ‘She is extremely able and gives highly effective, practical solutions to complex legal problems.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2015)

    ‘Rebecca Harris is extremely able and gives highly effective and practical solutions to complex issues. She is also charming and good humoured as well as being a clever and pragmatic advocate.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2014)

    ‘Rebecca Harris consistently impresses with her ability to deal with complex clinical issues.’ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2012)

    Professional Memberships

    • Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
    • British Association for Sport and the Law
    • CBA
    • Fraud Lawyers’ Association

    Education

    • BVC (ICSL)
    • LLB (Hons), London

       

    Recent Cases

    • Rebecca Harris has been instructed to represent an accountant/ auditor in proceedings with the ICAEW.

      ...
    • Rebecca Harris advised the GDC following a failed private prosecution for tooth whitening. She advised an appeal by way of Case Stated. The appeal was successful.

      ...
    • Rebecca Harris presented a case on behalf of the GDC in which a dental practitioner had been charged with wide-spread clinical deficiencies, serious failings in cross-infection control and bullying of a dental team.

      ...
    • Rebecca Harris represented the Professional Standards Authority (‘PSA’) in an appeal against the decision of Health Care Professions Council’s (‘HCPC’) Conduct and Competence Committee to dismiss a case against registrant VN....

      ...
    • Rebecca Harris represented the General Chiropractic Council in a case brought against a chiropractor for touching a teenage patient inappropriately and for reasons of sexual motivation.

      ...
    • Multiple patient case alleging wide-ranging and long-standing clinical failures.

      ...
    • Rebecca Harris acted for the General Optical Council in the prosecution of registered optometrist for allegations of a historic large scale fraud against the NHS.

      ...
    • Prosecution of case alleging historic sexual offending (over 40 years old).

      ...

    News

    Articles

  • A fantastic and charming advocate, noted for her grace in court as well as her easy client manner; Rebecca Harris is sought out to deal with the technically difficult and often most sensitive cases.

    Overview

     A highly-regarded leading junior, Rebecca Harris has a well-established track record in crime having acted in some of the most challenging cases. Her work has encompassed the entire range of criminal offences and has regularly involved serious, complex and high-profile matters including serious violence and sexual offences, fraud and financial crime. She is chosen by clients for her detailed and comprehensive case preparation and revered for the charming and persuasive manner in which she addresses both Judge and Jury.

    Experience

    Over the past two decades, Rebecca’s work has included the full gamut of criminal offences, she is regularly involved in high profile, sensitive and technically difficult cases.  These cases have included, amongst others: murder; manslaughter; other serious violence and serious sexual offences; fraud and financial crime; serious organised crime (including major drugs conspiracies) armed robbery and offences involving misuse of social media.

    In addition, Rebecca is well-known for her experience in all cases involving sexual offences but most notably for very difficult cases including historic sexual abuse and serious sexual violence. She is recognised for her expertise in handling vulnerable witnesses and has been instructed in many cases involving very young and/or susceptible witnesses. Rebecca is also renowned for her adept management of any cases giving rise to problematic or sensitive issues of disclosure, for which she will leave no stone unturned, whichever side she is on.

    Her recognised expertise in the field of professional regulation means that she is perfectly placed to deal with cases that may have both disciplinary and criminal investigations running in tandem. Her technical awareness across a range of professions and understanding of the practises employed means that she is a superior candidate in the prosecution and defence of professionals, whatever the tribunal. Rebecca has also advised corporates on their position in response to regulatory and health and safety notices. She has been successful in responding on behalf of corporates to avoid the termination of nationwide contracts.

    It follows from the nature of Rebecca’s practice over all, that she has substantial experience of dealing with experts in a wide and diverse range of specialist areas, and is known to be particularly adept at getting to grips quickly with novel and complicated subject matters. Her competence in dealing with clinical matters is enhanced by her substantial work in healthcare regulation in particular.

    Rebecca is a pleasure to have on any team and is a formidable advocate. Her technical ability and charming approach make her a popular choice for those seeking an accomplished senior junior.

    Notable Cases

    R v KJ, JH & MB (2015)
    Prosecution of three young defendants for the alleged gang-rape of a teenage girl.

    R v CG & Or's (2013)
    Multi-handed case involving allegations of offences contrary to the Fraud Act and related POCA offences.

    R v GM x 2 (2010-2011)
    Prosecuting: trial one involved offences contrary to POCA 2002. Trial two alleged multiple mortgage frauds.

    R v Harvey (2009)
    Rebecca Harris was instructed on behalf of the respondent in this case before the Court of Appeal in which it was held that a Judge is not always required to give a self-defence direction in full. It is not the case that "all the elements were always relevant and must always be mechanically recited to the jury; the directions in law needed to do no more than guide the jury as to what the essential factual dispute was and the conclusions to be drawn from the different findings open to them on the evidence.

    Reviews

    'A razor-sharp, quick witted advocate who is effortlessly charming, cool under pressure and able to exceed the expectations of clients and solicitors alike.' Legal 500 (2022)

    'Good on the law and a good advocate.' 'Really experienced and accomplished.' Chambers UK (2021)

    'As an advocate she has an authority which commands the respect of the panels before whom she appears. She is a firm, but always fair, prosecutor with excellent judgement.' Legal 500 (2021)

    ‘Thoroughly competent and creative in the way she provides advice to clients. She is very client-centric and always puts what the client wants first. She is well thought of as a go-to for difficult matters.’ Chambers UK (2020)

    ‘Her advocacy is eloquent and balanced, which she combines with great personal charm.’ Legal 500 (2020)

    ‘A pleasure to work with. She is extremely able and gives highly effective practical solutions to complex legal issues. A very clever and pragmatic advocate.’ ‘Very experienced.’ Chambers UK (2019)

    ‘A great advocate who is very good with clients, solution-focused and thorough in her preparation.’ ‘Eloquent and persuasive.’ Chambers UK (2018)

    ‘Charming and good-humoured, as well as a clever and pragmatic advocate.’ Legal 500 (2017)

    ‘She is very sensible, experienced and has good judgement.’ ‘She is extremely able and gives highly effective, practical solutions to complex legal problems.’ Chambers UK (2015)

    Recent Cases

    News

  • A genuine expert in the field of professional discipline and regulatory law, Rebecca Harris is sought out to tackle the most complex and serious of cases. She is revered for her ability to master the most difficult issues and to present them persuasively and with eloquence.

    Overview 

    Recommended in the directories as a leading junior in regulatory law and professional discipline, Rebecca is routinely instructed in the most high-profile and complex cases in these areas of practice. She acts for a variety of regulatory bodies and professional registrants. She undertakes involved regulatory advisory work as well as appearing at hearings, both prosecuting and defending. She sits as a member of the RFU Judicial Panel and the specialist RFU Safeguarding Panel. Rebecca has expertise in general crime and public law; she is well placed to deal with regulatory matters as they progress to a criminal investigation, applications for judicial review and, where a death has occurred, inquests. Rebecca’s fair but always firm approach means that she is an ever-popular choice amongst professional clients.

    Experience 

    Healthcare
    Rebecca’s regulatory practice developed initially in the world of healthcare. In the last decade her work in this sphere has included: advising and appearing for healthcare professionals facing disciplinary proceedings and on appeal; advising and acting for regulators in fitness to practise hearings (or their equivalent), interim orders hearings, review hearings, restoration hearings, and registration appeals; appearing in the High Court in appeals pursuant to section 40 of the Medical Act, or the equivalent provision relating to other healthcare professions; all related appellate work, along with applications in the Family Division; advising regulators on the statutory interpretation of their rules; and providing assistance to regulators in drafting internal policies and professional guidance. Rebecca has acted in cases that have become important authorities in the field, most notably recently in GDC v BK where she acted on behalf of the respondent (GDC) in the High Court Appeal. The case is now an important authority in relation to the test for dishonesty in regulatory proceedings.

    Of particular note is Rebecca’s work for the Professional Standards Authority, the Regulators’ Regulator. It is by providing advice for the Authority (who in turn review the work of all healthcare regulatory bodies) that Rebecca retains insight into the world of healthcare regulation and regulation generally, and keeps fully up to date with changes to law and procedure.

    Professional Discipline
    In more recent times, Rebecca has successfully extended her practice in this area to encompass work for other regulated professions, which also includes those in the world of sport, and police work. In addition, she provides advice to third parties and businesses on the potential regulatory liability of professional persons. Rebecca has advised corporates on their position in response to regulatory and health and safety notices. She has been successful in responding on behalf of corporates to avoid the termination of nationwide contracts.

    The combination of regular criminal work along with proven expertise in the regulatory field means that Rebecca is best-placed to advise and provide representation where the proceedings may be quasi-criminal in nature or where there is a regulatory and criminal interface that requires careful attention. In an area of law where there appears to be an increasing appetite to attempt to apply criminal charges to what in the past would have been purely professional failures, the understanding of potential criminal liability is critical when advising in a regulatory context.  

    Rebecca’s experience in the regulatory sphere means that she is often instructed in related public law work. She has experience of judicial review proceedings arising from tribunal decisions and her experience of inquests means that she is also ideally placed to deal with regulatory matters should they progress to the Coroner’s Court, where a death has occurred.

    Rebecca is recognised for the eloquence of her advocacy. Her experience in both the criminal and regulatory spheres means that she understands completely the need to tailor her submissions depending on the tribunal in question, whilst being unafraid of taking novel or difficult points of law.

    It follows from the nature of Rebecca’s practice over all, that she has substantial experience of dealing with experts in a wide and diverse range of specialist areas, and is known to be particularly adept at getting to grips quickly with novel and complicated subject matters. Her competence in dealing with clinical matters is enhanced by her substantial work in healthcare regulation in particular.

    Rebecca regularly speaks on key issues in regulatory law and professional discipline, and provides specialist training to regulators and legal firms when requested.

    Recognised as an absolute expert in this field, Rebecca is invariably called upon when the case demands someone with superior knowledge, understanding and approach; she is an ideal candidate to represent both regulators and professionals.

    Notable Cases

    GDC v BK (2015)
    Instructed on behalf of the respondent (GDC) in High Court Appeal; Grounds of Appeal based on poor reasoning given by Professional Conduct Committee and apparent misapplication of test for dishonesty. Case now important authority in relation to test for dishonesty in regulatory proceedings.

    GDC v DT (2015)
    Rebecca Harris acted on behalf of the GDC in a multi-faceted prosecution of a registrant for wide-spread clinical deficiencies and inappropriate/dishonest claiming for NHS remuneration.

    GDC v JK (2015)
    Prosecution of registrant who produced falsified documents when asked by the GDC to provide clinical records as part of an investigation.

    Professional Standards Department v Police Constable PE (2014)
    Rebecca Harris represented senior firearms officer who was ultimately cleared of allegations of Gross Misconduct (including honesty and integrity charges) in connection with his alleged dishonest completion of a firearms classification record card.

    GDC v RP (2014)
    Rebecca Harris acted for the GDC in a case involving allegations of wide-ranging and widespread deficiencies in all areas of dental practice, including an enquiry into probity concerns arising from RP’s claims for NHS treatment.

    Ms O-A v NMC (2014)
    Rebecca Harris was instructed to advise the registrant in relation to a Second Appeal in a clinical case where finding of Impairment had been made on public interest grounds alone.

    GMC v Dr K (2013)
    High Court proceedings (Part 8 claim pursuant to part section 41A(10)(a) of the Medical Act 1983). Application by doctor to terminate Interim Order of Suspension.

    GDC v FC (2011-2012)
    Complex case combining allegations of significant clinical deficiencies with allegations of serious dishonesty and numerous gross breaches of professional standards.

    GMC v Dr A (2011)
    Rebecca Harris acted for the GMC when a General Practitioner was charged with inappropriate intimate examination of a young person with Mental Health issues.

    GMC v Dr Elvin (2011) 
    Rebecca Harris acted for the General Medical Council in the hearing before the GMC’s Fitness To Practise Panel. At the conclusion of the hearing Dr Graeme Elvin was erased from the medical register for misconduct following findings that he had had a protracted sexual relationship with his patient, that he had continued to treat both the patient concerned and her husband during the course of her relationship, and that he had repeatedly lied about the relationship to colleagues.

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2023: Professional Discipline – Band 1

    Legal 500 2023: Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law – Tier 2

    'She is an excellent all-rounder, who is quick-witted and a pleasure to work with.' 'Rebecca is a formidable opponent and is always fully prepared' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2023)

    ‘She is an impeccable advocate on every level: preparation, execution and above all, fairness.‘ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory (2023)

    'She is formidable, cuts through issues very easily and is pleasant to work with." "She's well respected and does really good work." "Rebecca is an approachable and persuasive advocate. She identifies the key issues in a case with ease and provides effective, practical advice. A pleasure to work with.' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2022)

    'A razor-sharp, quick witted advocate who is effortlessly charming, cool under pressure and able to exceed the expectations of clients and solicitors alike. Unquestionably one of the finest advocates in the field.' Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory (2022)

    'Good on the law and a good advocate.' 'Really experienced and accomplished.' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2021)

    'As an advocate she has an authority which commands the respect of the panels before whom she appears. She is a firm, but always fair, prosecutor with excellent judgement.' Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2021)

    ‘Thoroughly competent and creative in the way she provides advice to clients. She is very client-centric and always puts what the client wants first. She is well thought of as a go-to for difficult matters.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2020)

    ‘Her advocacy is eloquent and balanced, which she combines with great personal charm.’ Legal 500 Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law (2020)

    ‘A pleasure to work with. She is extremely able and gives highly effective practical solutions to complex legal issues. A very clever and pragmatic advocate.’ ‘Very experienced.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2019)

    ‘A pleasure to work with: she gives highly effective and practical solutions to complex issues.’ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2018)

    ‘A great advocate who is very good with clients, solution-focused and thorough in her preparation.’ ‘Eloquent and persuasive.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2018)

    ‘Charming and good-humoured, as well as a clever and pragmatic advocate.’ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2017)

    ‘She is a delight to work with. A highly practical advocate, who sees the bigger picture and achieves results with the minimum of fuss.’ ‘She is a first-class advocate who is able to marshal complex dental evidence with great skill. She can explain difficult concepts to clients in a simple and accessible way.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2016)

    ‘She is very sensible, experienced and has good judgement.’ ‘She is extremely able and gives highly effective, practical solutions to complex legal problems.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2015)

    ‘Rebecca Harris is extremely able and gives highly effective and practical solutions to complex issues. She is also charming and good humoured as well as being a clever and pragmatic advocate.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2014)

    ‘Rebecca Harris consistently impresses with her ability to deal with complex clinical issues.’ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2012)

    Recent Cases

    • Rebecca Harris has been instructed to represent an accountant/ auditor in proceedings with the ICAEW.

    • Rebecca Harris advised the GDC following a failed private prosecution for tooth whitening. She advised an appeal by way of Case Stated. The appeal was successful.

    • Rebecca Harris presented a case on behalf of the GDC in which a dental practitioner had been charged with wide-spread clinical deficiencies, serious failings in cross-infection control and bullying of a dental team.

    • Rebecca Harris represented the Professional Standards Authority (‘PSA’) in an appeal against the decision of Health Care Professions Council’s (‘HCPC’) Conduct and Competence Committee to dismiss a case against registrant VN....

    • Rebecca Harris represented the General Chiropractic Council in a case brought against a chiropractor for touching a teenage patient inappropriately and for reasons of sexual motivation.

    • Multiple patient case alleging wide-ranging and long-standing clinical failures.

    • Rebecca Harris acted for the General Optical Council in the prosecution of registered optometrist for allegations of a historic large scale fraud against the NHS.

    News