Harley Evans focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation and dispute resolution. Ms. Evans advises corporations and financial institutions on a variety of commercial disputes and has represented clients in international and multi-party proceedings in the High Court, as well as in LCIA and LMAA arbitrations and mediations.
Harley Evans is recognised as a “key lawyer” in The Legal 500 UK’s Banking Litigation category and is described as “stand out” and "absolutely first rate – clever, efficient, calm and thorough" (2024) and “very impressive” and “highly diligent and very efficient, and never lost her cool even under considerable pressure” (2025).
Prior to joining Dechert, Ms. Evans was an associate in the London office of an international law firm, advising clients on a range of commercial disputes with a particular focus on the shipping and aviation sectors.
- Advising a major bank in its defence of a multi-party billion-dollar fraud dispute in the Commercial Court (listed as one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases in 2020 and 2025).
- Representing a Lebanese venture capital fund in respect of its claims alleging breach of fiduciary, dishonest assistance, unlawful means conspiracy and breach of contract.
- Acting for a large restaurant chain in relation to an ongoing COVID-19 business interruption insurance claim in the Commercial Court.
- Advising a major insurer in relation to aviation insurance disputes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- Advising various Lebanese banks in respect of claims brought by customers as a result of the Lebanese financial crisis.
- Acting for a brokerage and investment banking firm in connection with its claim concerning the sale and purchase of Russian-issued bonds and the impact of UK, EU and US sanctions.
- Acting for a major international airline in its defence of a multi-million dollar expedited Commercial Court claim concerning the breach of aircraft lease arrangements and its associated breach of confidence counterclaim and claim for injunctive relief.
- Representing an international airline in its Commercial Court claim relating to the payment of qualifying maintenance reserves and redelivery obligations.
- Acting for a UK aviation services company in relation to its multiple claims in the Commercial Court concerning various aircraft leasing and charter arrangements; advising in relation to associated freezing injunction application, multi-jurisdictional enforcement actions and settlement negotiations.
- Acting for an international airline in an LCIA arbitration in relation to numerous allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of contract.
- Representing a prominent British luxury goods retailer in relation to a contractual dispute concerning the sale and purchase of luxury goods.
- Advising various ship owners and charterers in relation to contractual disputes heard in the Commercial Court and arbitration proceedings.
Includes matters handled prior to joining Dechert.
- “Key Lawyer” in Banking litigation: investment and retail category – The Legal 500 UK, 2025
- “Key Lawyer” and “Standout Associate” in Banking litigation: investment and retail category – The Legal 500 UK, 2024
- Kids in Need of Defence UK – assisting children and young people to obtain British citizenship.
- University House Legal Advice Centre – providing advice to, and representing, individuals in relation to First Tier Tribunal welfare benefit appeals.
- Shortlisted for LawWorks’ Pro Bono Connect Award (2024) in relation to successful defence and settlement of a pro bono litigious matter.
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- University of Cambridge, B.A., Modern and Medieval Languages, 2016, Upper Second Class Honors
- BPP University Law School, Graduate Diploma in Law, 2017, Distinction
- BPP University Law School, Legal Practice Course, 2018, Distinction
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- England and Wales
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- English
- French
- Spanish