Holly is a senior dispute resolution solicitor who advises businesses, business owners and private individuals on complex, high-stakes commercial and civil disputes in the UK and internationally.
She combines strategic legal advice with a clear understanding of each client’s commercial objectives, focusing on the outcome that matters most to them. Her clients operate across a broad range of industries and sectors.
Holly qualified as a solicitor in 2011. Before joining Harper James, she was a partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at a prominent West End law firm for six years, advising corporate and private clients on substantial and complex disputes.
She provides strategic, pragmatic advice, helping clients assess risk, understand their options and choose the most effective path to resolution. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve negotiation, mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution, litigation, or judgment enforcement.
Her work spans director and shareholder disputes, partnership disputes, commercial loans and guarantees, debt recovery, breach of contract, professional negligence, fraud, financial services, insolvency and property-related claims.
Work highlights include:
- Protecting an international businessman facing enforcement of approximately £20 million in judgment debts by a UAE bank, in litigation involving a worldwide freezing order, personal guarantees, beneficial ownership and alleged asset transfers. The case established leading authority on claims under section 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
- Successfully defending individuals against a fraud claim exceeding US$100 million brought in the High Court by Russian state-owned airline Aeroflot. The claim was discontinued shortly before trial, with the defendants awarded indemnity costs.
- Acting for a prominent businessman in a dispute over funding for a South African game farm and resort, involving High Court claims for breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation.
- Representing a property development company in a claim against Westminster City Council after tree roots caused subsidence damage to a high-value central London property.
- Successfully defending a payroll company in a multi-million-dollar High Court claim brought by a US investment firm.
Outside work, Holly enjoys spending time with her family and two young children.
“Disputes can be disruptive, expensive and distracting. I give clients clear, practical advice from the outset, so they can make informed decisions and pursue a strategy that protects both their immediate position and their wider commercial objectives.”
