Experience
Harriet's work includes defending claims against financial professionals, including financial advisers, portal and platform providers, stockbrokers, mortgage and insurance brokers, accountants, actuaries and pension benefits consultants, trustees and corporate directors. Most claims are brought in England & Wales, but Harriet defends claims brought to the Financial Ombudsman Service from all UK jurisdictions and some claims involve Offshore (mainly Channel Islands) and European jurisdictions.
Recent/current cases include defending a firm of accountants against a claim by shareholders in relation to a failed dragon investment, defending corporate trustees in relation to allegedly negligent advice about domicile in the context of the creation of a series of family trusts and defending corporate directors against a claim by liquidators relating to the mismanagement of a company. Harriet is also defending a very large number of claims brought against a portal relating to the procedures used to determine appropriateness under COBS10/10A.
Harriet represented the successful defendant in the leading case of Andrews v SBJ Benefit Consultants Ltd [2010], which clarified complainants’ rights relating to the acceptance of FOS awards.
Harriet has substantial regulatory experience, acting for a wide range of professionals before disciplinary bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Taxation, the Institute & Faculty of Actuaries and ACCA. She acts for financial advisers in FCA enforcements and advises on insurance and other issues arising from FCA mandated Past Business Reviews.
Harriet lectures on professional indemnity and regulatory issues relating to financial and other professionals. She co-wrote the chapter on Financial Advisers for Professional Indemnity Insurance: Case Law, Regulation and Practice first published by the Insurance Institute of London in 2010.
From January 2005 to July 2016, Harriet was a governor of John Stainer Community School, an inner London state primary, judged "outstanding" by Ofsted in 2012 while Harriet was the Chair of Governors. It was the first governing body in Lewisham to achieve Governor Mark status. From December 2016 to 2021, Harriet was a governor of Treloar School and College, a nursery, school and college providing integrated education, care, therapy, medical support and independence training for young people with complex physical disabilities on a day and residential basis. Harriet currently sits as a fee paid (part time) Tribunal Judge in the Social Entitlement Chamber, hearing appeals relating to disability benefits.
Testimonials
"Harriet Quiney - very good on financial services-related professional indemnity work and policy coverage issues. A very robust but pleasant opponent" - Legal 500 (2022)
"Harriet Quiney demonstrates a wealth of knowledge in her field and gives us the confidence we are getting the appropriate advice". - Legal 500 (2022)
"Harriet Quiney is an excellent litigator who gets straight to the heart of the issue and works to her clients’ objectives in an unswerving manner." - Legal 500 (2021)
"demonstrates a real depth of knowledge in her field. Engenders trust and confidence. Recognised as an expert." - Legal 500 (2020)
"a good strategic thinker" and "experienced in professional indemnity disputes in the financial services and pensions sectors". - Legal 500 (2018)
Harriet Quiney is ‘experienced, down-to-earth and inspires great confidence’ and is active in disputes in the financial services and pensions sectors - Legal 500 (2017)
"experienced, down-to-earth and inspires great confidence". - Legal 500 (2017)
"Indomitable when it comes to dealing with difficult opponents" and "very meticulous and approachable". - Chambers and Partners (2016)
"Quick", "commercial" and "gives sound advice". - Legal 500 (2016)