Practice Overview
Mark’s practice covers all areas of private family law with a particular focus on matrimonial finance, including cases with an international element.
Before joining 1GC Mark practised as a solicitor for 15 years, and was previously head of the London team at Family Law Partners (a top-tier “leading boutique firm” (Chambers UK 2021)). He was regularly instructed in relation to complex and high-net-worth divorce and separation matters as well as high-conflict disputes concerning children.
Mark is well known for his calm and reassuring manner and for giving clear, pragmatic advice. He is recognised for being numerate, analytical and thorough, making him a particularly good match for those with complicated financial affairs. A considerable proportion of Mark’s work been for clients with assets or other links overseas.
Mark is a trained family mediator and a strong supporter of non-court dispute resolution.
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Children (Private Law)
Mark has assisted clients in a wide range of private law disputes concerning living and contact arrangements and internal and external relocation.
Many of Mark’s cases have involved complicating factors such as domestic abuse, drug and alcohol abuse and other difficulties arising out of mental health difficulties.
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Family Finance & Property
Mark has extensive experience of assisting parties in relation to the financial aspects of separation, both for married couples and in respect of disputes between unmarried couples under TOLATA and Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.
Many of Mark’s cases have involved assets overseas and complicated company ownership or trust arrangements. He has particular experience dealing with cases involving interveners, where the wider family has been drawn into proceedings due to disputes about the funding and true ownership of property.
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Domestic Violence & Injunctions
Mark has considerable experience dealing with protective injunctions under the Family Law Act 1996 and regularly deals with issues of alleged abuse in both financial and children proceedings.
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Notable Cases
Reported cases as a solicitor have included:
C v C (Appeal: Hadkinson Order) [2010] EWHC 1656
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What the Directories Say
“Incredibly intelligent, sensible and pragmatic. He is calm and unflappable even in situations where many would crumble. His experience as a judge only widens the breadth of advice he provides to clients” Legal 500 2024
“Mark Harrop is especially strong. His huge experience and pragmatic, sensitive and commercially aware advice is extremely reassuring to clients” Legal 500 2024
"Extraordinarily bright without losing a very human approach at what may be a difficult time. Balanced and fair he is a reassuring lodestar for any client … who is lucky enough to be represented by him" Legal 500 2023
'Mark has so much experience and judgment that the strategy and case preparation is of the highest standard and perfectly pitched to give the client the best prospect in court" Legal 500 2023
"A fantastic lawyer who is particularly strong in negotiations and knows how to find the right angles to get his client's case on top. He is very experienced and personable and gives clients great confidence as a result" Legal 500 2023
“Has a well-deserved reputation as one of the next generation of leading family lawyers” Legal 2022
"Mark Harrop is among 'the best young legal minds'" Legal 500 2022
"Exceptionally bright and commercially astute. He brings a quiet confidence to the case and is tactically clever. He is a real pleasure to work with" Legal 500 2022
“Highly rated. He is sensible and pragmatic. He earns his client’s confidence and for good reason” Legal 500 2022
"Brilliant – he just gets on with it. Mark is, in my opinion, a first-class lawyer, possessing a razor-sharp intellect, an impressive grasp of detail, tactical astuteness and an excellent manner with clients. He is also extremely hardworking and has an unfailingly professional approach" Legal 500 2021
"A considered, bright individual. He gives clients quiet confidence in his outstanding abilities to resolve their case” Legal 500 2021
"Intellectually acute, brilliant with clients and a robust negotiator" Citywealth Leaders List 2020
"Exceptionally good at what he does and manages to combine sensible, practical and pragmatic advice with a caring attitude. He also manages to do all of this whilst remaining completely approachable" Citywealth Leaders List 2019
"Bright and forward thinking and committed to finding the best resolution for his clients" Legal 500 2019
"An exceedingly thorough lawyer – he will leave no stone unturned for his clients. He is totally committed to obtaining the best outcome possible" Citywealth Leaders List 2018
”Work[s] tirelessly for his clients to ensure the best outcome. He is meticulous when it comes to financial detail and effectively narrows the issues to be resolved" Citywealth Leaders List 2017
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Publications
Co-author of Cohabitation: Law, Practice and Precedents 6th and 7th editions (LexisNexis)
