Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Call: 2013
"His case preparation is meticulous and he gets to grips with information quickly. He is calm and collected, which is needed when doing international abduction work. Edward handles his clients with the utmost support and care. He is kind, polite, hard working, and really knows his stuff”
Chambers UK Bar 2022
Edward’s practice focuses on international disputes concerning children or vulnerable adults.
Edward sits on the editorial board of the International Family Law Journal and was its General Editor from 2015 – 2020. He is a member of the Legal Working Group of the leading child abduction charity Reunite and of the Head of International Family Justice’s International Family Law Committee. In 2015, he was named Young Family Law Barrister of the Year at the Jordans (now Lexis Nexis) Family Law Awards.
Edward previously trained as a solicitor in the London and Prague offices of Allen & Overy. On qualification, he spent a year as the Judicial Assistant to the Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Lloyd in the Court of Appeal and a further year as Legal Adviser to the Head of International Family Justice for England & Wales, the Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Thorpe.
Outside the bar, Edward spent two years alongside his legal practice as a Research Assistant at the College of Arms.
To instruct Edward or for more information…
Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk
Edward has significant experience in cases of international children cases at first instance and appellate level.
International child abduction
International child abduction/recognition and enforcement.
International child abduction.
Child abduction during the Covid-19 pandemic.
International child abduction.
Child abduction/first reported occasion a child returned to Sudan.
International child abduction.
International child abduction.
International child abduction.
Edward has wide-ranging experience of all private law children matters including, serious medical treatment, international child custody, relocation, forced marriage and stranded spouse cases, and international commercial surrogacy.
Withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. Whether there should be police presence at the bedside when withdrawal of treatment is carried out.
Court of Justice of the European Union – international child maintenance.
International relocation – the first international children’s case ever before the courts of the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
International commercial surrogacy.
European Custody Convention.
Edward has significant experience representing all parties in public law cases, in particular in relation to child protection cases with an international element, and those where questions of serious medical treatment arise.
Supreme Court appeal about the use of the inherent jurisdiction to authorise secure accommodation for vulnerable children.
Edward has significant experience in representing all parties, including Sovereign States, in Court of Protection cases and cases concerning vulnerable adults.
16/17-year-olds and deprivations of liberty.
Civil Law & Other Areas of Expertise
Edwards accepts instructions in ecclesiastical law.
Having spent two years at the College of Arms, Edward is one of the few juniors of the bar to have experience of contested peerage and baronetage disputes
Edward is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access Scheme in appropriate circumstances.
“ Well-reputed junior with experience beyond his call of international child law cases, including those concerning jurisdictional disputes and abductions. His practice has taken him to the High Court and Court of Appeal. Sources are quick to highlight his impressive intellect and expertise."
Chambers UK Bar 2022
"A true gentleman; well-liked by opponents and clients alike; a soft, gentle and utterly likeable manner with impeccable client care and a real knack for complex and esoteric points of law. Tremendous advocate."
Legal 500 UK Bar 2022
"Has gravitas way beyond his years and knows his stuff inside out. He is an erudite, likeable and charming advocate." "His legal analysis, arguments, and knowledge of international children's law are consistently impressive."
Chambers UK Bar 2021
‘Is widely respected for the depth of his knowledge and the passion he has for his work. A dream to work with, with immaculate written work, is always prepared.’
Legal 500 UK Bar 2021
"Experienced and steady as an advocate, he is tactically impressive and tenacious, but he also cares for his clients. He is incredibly knowledgeable and good at identifying incredibly esoteric points which few would pick up on"
Chambers UK Bar 2020
"Down to earth, calm and has phenomenal intellectual ability without being stuffy or pretentious. He's quiet but deadly"
Chambers UK Bar 2019
On Friday, 30 July 2021 the Supreme Court decision in T (A Child) [2021] UKSC 35 was published. This case concerns the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court to authorise…
The following talks took place on Monday, 25 January 2021:
Jason Green – Lessons learned from recent cases on remote hearingsEdward Bennet & Paige Campbell – International child abduction updateSian…
Edward Bennett secured the summary return of a child to Spain in unusual circumstances where the child returned to the care of her non-primary carer father leaving her pregnant primary…