Profile description
Crime and regulatory offences
Harpreet is frequently instructed on behalf of his commercial client base to defend them against criminal and quasi-criminal regulatory offences in the criminal courts. These are typically cases prosecuted by the CPS, Local Authorities and a number of other prosecuting authorities such as the Health & Safety Executive, Trading Standards and Environment Agency. Examples of the regulatory offences Harpreet has dealt with include charges brought under the environmental, health and safety, trading standards and licensing regimes.
Harpreet holds a judicial position and sits as a magistrate himself so his knowledge and understanding of the application of the law within the context of the magistrates' courts is second to none.
In addition to his regulatory practice, Harpreet also has a background in dealing with 'traditional' criminal offences of the most serious nature. Whilst he has diversified his practice in recent years, he remains very well-placed to advise and represent private clients charged with the full range of criminal offences and is frequently instructed to attend criminal proceedings in the magistrates' court, the crown court and the Court of Appeal. As part of his criminal practice, Harpreet is frequently instructed to provide representation in relation to Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) applications and confiscation and asset forfeiture proceedings.
Employment Law
Harpreet has a significant amount of experience in employment law and has provided representation for clients (claimants and respondents) in complex and high value claims. Harpreet is also experienced in providing representation for clients at Judicial Mediation and has a good track record of helping clients to reach early settlement on employment law claims.
Particular areas of expertise:
- Unfair dismissal claims
- Constructive dismissal claims
- High value complex claims
- Whistleblowing claims
- Discrimination claims
Divorce and financial settlement
Harpreet has extensive experience of divorce and matrimonial proceedings (financial settlement). He is content to accept instructions from Applicants and Respondents to deal with proceedings from the First Directions Appointment (FDA), to Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) and Final Hearing.
Harpreet's caseload includes proceedings featuring high value and complex assets including pensions, businesses and property (including property held overseas). He also has experience of dealing with enforcement proceedings relating to financial orders and has dealt with applications to vary long-standing orders due to a material change to the circumstances of one or other party to the order.
- Business assets
- Pensions
- Non-disclosure
- Trusts and Inheritance
- Non-matrimonial property
- Overseas business and property assets (Harpreet is happy to accept instructions in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu)
- Variation applications
- Applications to intervene
- Maintenance pending suit
- Enforcement
- Child Maintenance
He has worked with clients from a wide range of backgrounds and is experienced in dealing with various cultural issues that arise from divorce proceedings.
Children Act
Harpreet is frequently instructed to advise and represent clients in relation to contested child arrangement order proceedings (contact and residence) and the associated injunctive remedies that often crop up in such cases, for example prohibited steps orders, non-molestation orders and occupation orders.
Harpreet's child arrangements practice includes:
- Child Arrangement Orders (contact and residence)
- Parental responsibility
- Prohibited Steps Orders
- Specific Issue Orders
- Non-molestation and Occupation Orders
- Applications to enforce
Harpreet offers considerable experience of proceedings featuring allegations of domestic violence and abuse (including substance abuse) and welcomes instructions to represent clients in contested fact-finding hearings.
Civil litigation, Property, Media & Defamation
Harpreet's diet of civil work typically includes complex and high value claims relating to commercial law and the frequently overlapping areas of property, land, chancery/trusts. He is a highly experienced civil litigator and accept instructions to advise and represent clients across a wide range of civil disputes including the following areas:
- Business and commercial law (including cross-border inter-jurisdictional disputes and financial services)
- Property and land (including landlord and tenant)
- Trusts, wills and probate
- Defamation, media, information and data protection law
- Bankruptcy and Insolvency
- Information Technology
In addition to contentious cases, he also regularly advises on transactional and commercial issues. Harpreet offers pragmatic advice to his clients where settlement is a possibility but also relishes attending court to deal with contested hearings where he can be relied upon to deploy his robust advocacy skills to very good effect.
Employment law
Harpreet has a significant amount of experience in employment law and has provided representation for clients (claimants and respondents) in complex and high value claims. Harpreet is also experienced in providing representation for clients at Judicial Mediation and has a good track record of helping clients to reach early settlement on employment law claims.
Particular areas of expertise:
- Unfair dismissal claims
- Constructive dismissal claims
- High value complex claims
- Whistleblowing claims
- Discrimination claims
Indian law
Specializing in Indian law, I bring extensive expertise in a wide range of legal areas relevant to India. My practice includes providing expert legal advice, representation, and services tailored to clients' needs in Indian legal matters.
Academic Credentials:
- Ph.D. Candidate, National Law University Delhi (Commenced in 2021)
- Advanced Course in the Interplay between International Criminal Law and Sharia Law (ISISC, Siracusa, Italy) - 2008
- Master of Laws (With Merit, Distinction in Corporate and Financial Crimes), London School of Economics - 2006
- Advanced Courses in Public and Private International Law, Hague Academy of International Law, The Netherlands - 2004
- Master of Business Laws, National Law School of India - 2004
- Certificate Course in Arbitration, United Nations Institute for Training and Research - 2004
- Bachelor of Laws, Panjab University - 1999
- Exchange Student - European Law, ELSA / Stockholm University, Sweden - 1998
- Bachelor of Arts (Political Science & Economics), Panjab University – 1996
Areas of Expertise:
- Dual Qualified Indian Lawyer with 25+ years of experience
- Expert Witness in Indian Law
- Specialist in Indian Family Law (including Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu marriages)
- Expert in Indian Property Laws
- Expertise in Indian Inheritance Laws
- General Criminal Law
- Serious Fraud
- Drug Production on an Industrial Scale
- Kidnapping
- Environmental Offences
- Corporate and Commercial Litigation
- Commercial Arbitration
- Advising on High-Value Commercial Transactions in India
- International Financial and Banking Laws as applicable to Indian operations
- Financial Wrongdoings, Bribery, and Corruption in an Indian context
- International Assets Tracing, Restraints, Confiscation, and Repatriation involving Indian assets
- Extraditions, Deportations, and International Treaty and Convention Law impacting Indian matters
- Public International Law issues relevant to India, such as terrorism and hijackings
- Conflict of Laws and Interaction of Legal Systems between India and other jurisdictions
- International Child Abduction cases involving India
- Child Protection Laws in India
- Corporate Advisory and Consultancy Services with an India focus, including mergers, acquisitions, and real estate transactions in India
Professional Experience:
Utilized 25+ years of experience as a qualified lawyer in India to provide expert legal advice and representation in various areas of Indian law.
Demonstrated expertise in Indian property laws, family law, and inheritance laws, providing comprehensive legal services and expert opinions.
Specialized in Indian family law, including Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu marriages, offering tailored legal solutions for clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Successfully handled complex family law cases involving divorce, financial settlements, child abduction, and inheritance matters with Indian law implications.
Provided expert advice and representation to clients in matters pertaining to Indian property laws, inheritance laws, and family law, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and safeguarding client interests.
Acted as a specialist in Indian family law and inheritance laws, offering guidance on wills, succession, and distribution of assets in India.
Prepared expert reports and provided testimony on Indian law matters in family law and inheritance proceedings, contributing to successful case outcomes.
Represented clients in extradition and asylum cases with a focus on Indian law considerations, advocating for fair treatment and protection of clients' rights.
Languages
Harpreet is a dual qualified barrister, having been called to the bar in India in 1999 and in England & Wales in 2006. Harpreet speaks and understands Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.
Academics
- B.A. (Panjab)
- LL.B. (Panjab),
- Master of Business Laws (National Law School, India),
- LL.M. (London School of Economics)
- Certification in International law (Hague Academy of International Law)
- Certification in Sharia Law (International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences, Siracusa, Italy)
