Merlene Harrison
Merlene Harrison (LLB Hons): Solicitor | Director
Merlene is a Solicitor and Privy Council Agent. With over 20 years of experience in property litigation and dispute resolution, Merlene is committed to offering her clients the highest level of service to help them achieve the best outcomes possible.
Merlene was previously a Senior Associate Solicitor at London firm, Myers, Fletcher & Gordon. She started there as a trainee solicitor before establishing herself as a Senior Associate Solicitor. Merlene then went on to establish her own practice. Parker Harrison Solicitors is a manifestation of Merlene’s passion for helping people. As a dispute resolution lawyer, Merlene provides tailored solutions on matters including co-ownership disputes, commercial disputes, contentious probate and Privy Council appeals.
Merlene also represents clients in landlord & tenant disputes, leasehold matters, building contract disputes, boundary disputes, nuisance claims, party wall matters, rent arrears and repossession claims, commercial contract disputes, dilapidation claims, professional negligence and debt recovery and enforcement.
Merlene provides legal support to both claimants and defendants. She has handled cases in various arenas including the First-tier Tribunal, County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, the Privy Council and the European Court of Justice (formerly the highest court of appeal for the UK). She has also represented her clients’ interests in adjudications and mediations to achieve outcomes in their favour.
As a dispute resolution lawyer, Merlene has worked with a variety of clients, including executors, tenants, landlords, high net worth individuals, property developers, property management companies, leaseholders, freeholders, beneficiaries, executors, trustees, private companies and more.
Some of her past cases include:
• Leasehold disputes: Merlene represented the interests of a freehold company of a large owner-managed block in London. She acted on leasehold disputes including breach of alteration clause, repairing obligation, forfeiture, recovery of rent and service charge, etc.
• Contentious probate: Merlene represented beneficiaries against executors of an estate to successfully recover misapplied estate funds.
• Commercial repossession: Merlene acted on behalf of a high-profile chef to defend their claim against a local authority landlord seeking possession of a restaurant.
• Representing leaseholders: Merlene represented a group of leaseholders to successfully challenge the freeholder’s demand for payment of a significant service charge bill and its compliance with the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (Section 20 Consultation process).
• Co-ownership disputes: Merlene represented trustees and a widow to help them recover possession of a residential property from an ex-wife claiming beneficial interest in it.
Her reported cases include:
• Skillings v Kibby [2016] EWHC 3165 – successfully acting for beneficiaries in a 5-day hearing securing them a judgment sum in excess of £1 million (incl. interest) against executors who had misapplied estate funds and assets including an Old Masters painting.
• Adam Architecture Ltd v Halsbury Homes Limited [2017] EWCA Civ 1735 – acting for a developer in a construction contract dispute where the Court of Appeal confirmed that a party to a construction contract must give a pay less notice if it wishes to challenge the sum claimed for interim as well as final contractual payments.
Merlene is also a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council Users Group.
On a personal front, Merlene is a great listener which allows her to provide her clients with the understanding and support they need amid a difficult situation. In her free time, Merlene enjoys walking. She is also committed to social causes and completed the annual Moonwalk event that raised money for breast cancer causes.