Harriet is a family partner and has extensive experience in children matters, including court applications for child arrangement orders and parental responsibility orders. She also supports clients facing difficulties with associated persons, assisting in securing non-molestation orders and occupation orders for their protection.
In addition, Harriet advises on divorce and financial matters, including cases involving heterosexual, same-sex and unmarried couples.
she is an absolute star… At times when I thought I couldn’t carry on with the process she was at the other end of the phone…
Client Review, Kelly, December 2022
Harriet Donovan has been an amazing solicitor. She is very knowledgeable, professional, and caring. She understood my needs, and reassured me when I felt the stress of financial proceedings. I felt at ease and re-gained my confidence. She works very hard to achieve the best outcome to her clients.
Client Review, Mrs K H
Expert guidance and all done with kindness and humour in what was a challenging situation.
Client Review
she is incredibly approachable, professional, generous with her time and explanations, competent while kind…
Client Review
Her professionalism, sound advice, empathetic nature was invaluable to me… She went above and beyond to secure the very best outcome.
Client Review
Harriet is a true people person, she has a lovely natural way with clients and builds a strong rapport.
Client Review
Harriet Donovan guided me through areas that I was not aware of and helped me get to the point where I was able to fight successfully for better equity and time with my kids.
Client Review, AH, August 2023
Her professionalism , sound advice and compassionate, empathetic nature was invaluable to me during a very stressful and emotional time. She went above and beyond to secure the very best outcome and I am forever grateful for her support and guidance.
Client Review
Expertise
- Complex Children Act applications inc international elements
- Relocation abroad
- Special guardianship orders
- Domestic abuse matters
- Occupation orders
- Divorce and financial settlements
- Private FDRs
- Property disputes between unmarried couples and related civil litigation under Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TLATA)
- Cohabitation agreements
- Pre- and post-nuptial agreements
- Civil partnership matters
- Schedule 1 matters
- Separation agreements
Experience
Children
- Successfully represented an applicant father in complex Children Act proceedings involving serious allegations of sexual abuse. After a five-day fact-finding hearing, the court determined that the father had been falsely accused by the mother and maternal grandmother. Due to the severity of the allegations and failures of the local authority, the judgment is in the process of being published.
- Representing a mother in Children Act proceedings involving domestic abuse, child abuse and substance misuse. The court awarded the mother full care of the children with the father’s contact limited to indirect communications.
- Secured the removal of parental responsibility from a father where there was strong evidence of domestic abuse towards the mother and child.
- Successfully represented a father denied contact following separation. The mother made allegations that were not substantiated, resulting in the father being awarded shared care of the children.
- Represented a public figure in protracted Children Act proceedings, where the mother, a member of the travelling community, absconded with the children. After initially having no contact, the father ultimately secured full-time care, with no direct contact granted to the mother.
- Represented an applicant mother in prolonged Children Act proceedings involving a child of aged 9 where the father had severe mental health issues. During the course of the proceedings, it was revealed that the father had prior convictions for stalking, kidnapping, strangulation and attempted murder of a former partner. He was awarded no contact.
Finances
- Represented a wife in a high-net-worth divorce and finance matter where there were 14 properties and a portfolio of assets and significant income disparity. The case required addressing the husband’s failure to fully disclose his assets, as well as complex issues of intermingling funds with companies and third parties.
- Represented an applicant wife in divorce and financial proceedings with an international element, involving assets in both the UK and the US.
- Acted for an applicant husband in divorce and financial proceedings, managing a portfolio of properties across multiple jurisdictions in England and Europe.
- Representing the applicant husband in financial proceedings where there were significant assets along with a large income disparity. The wife spent to excess and therefore sought maintenance c£12,000 pcm. The intention was to ensure the parties focussed on their needs post-divorce.
Protective Orders
- Represented a client and successfully obtained a lifelong non-molestation order against her ex-partner who was being released from prison.
- Represented a client, who had power of attorney over his father. The father had been in a long-term relationship and his ex-partner refused to leave his family home that he shared with his late wife. Obtained a non-molestation and occupation order to remove her from the property, which was then to be sold, and the equity used for care home fees.
- Represented an applicant wife in successfully obtaining a non-molestation and occupation order from her husband, who was residing in the family home. The wife had been subjected to serious domestic abuse worsened by the global pandemic and lockdown.
- Successfully represented a respondent husband in defending the wife’s application for a non-molestation and occupation order.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Member of Resolution Family Law
Recognised as a Key Lawyer in The Legal 500 2025
Career
Harriet qualified as a solicitor in 2017. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2025, she worked at the following firms:
- Stowe Family Law LLP
- Simpson Millar