New Appointment to Principal Solicitor Team

Christine Harvey has been an invaluable member of Invicta Law’s Child Protection team since 2014. Her remarkable journey from legal assistant to principal solicitor is a testament to her resilience, passion, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.

Can you give a brief overview of your professional journey, sharing any highlights?

I studied law at Kingston University and completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at the College of Law in Guildford in 2008. Later that year, I took a break from studying and moved to Melbourne, Australia. Whilst there, I worked at the Financial Ombudsman Service, returning to the UK in 2011.

I joined Kent Legal Services in 2014 as a Legal Assistant in the Child Protection (CP) Team. I was successful in obtaining a training contract at Kent Legal Services in 2015 and qualified as a Solicitor in May 2017, working in the Child Protection Team. (Kent Legal Services transitioned to become Invicta Law in 2017). In 2022, I became a Senior Solicitor and was promoted to a Principal Solicitor role in July 2024.

Qualifying as a solicitor was definitely a highlight, having worked hard for many years to achieve this. Also, joining the CP team as a Legal Assistant in 2014, as this was the start of my career and passion for working in Child Protection. Prior to this, I did not know which area of law I wanted to practice in, but I knew I wanted to work in an area that affected the lives of everyday people rather than anything large-scale or corporate.

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges I faced was not having a training contract when I finished the LPC. This was during the global financial crisis, and there were limited opportunities. Not having a job to go into, I took the opportunity to experience living abroad which was something I had always wanted to do. I gained experience in the legal sector in Australia, resolving disputes between consumers and financial services providers, and when I returned to the UK, I was able to use these skills to progress my career.

What do you enjoy most about working within the Child Protection team, and at Invicta Law as a whole?

The best part of working in CP is the people and team we have at Invicta Law. The work is very fast-paced and varied, and having such a supportive team of lawyers and support staff makes all the difference. The work can be very demanding but equally rewarding, and knowing that you are making a difference to the most vulnerable in our community makes it worthwhile and fulfilling.

No two days are the same working in child protection. You might have a to-do list for the day and then an urgent issue arises that takes priority. This keeps things interesting but also means that you must be adaptable and able to prioritise and work well under pressure when dealing with very emotive situations.

Reflecting on your experiences and interactions in Child Protection, what do you think are the most important qualities someone in your position should have?

I would say having compassion, empathy, and the ability to communicate effectively are important qualities for a CP solicitor. It is important to approach the work with care and respect as the decisions being made are so important in people’s lives. You need to be organised and able to effectively case manage as timescales are tight for concluding cases involving children.

What are you looking forward to most in the coming year?

I’m really looking forward to developing my management skills in my new role.  I feel privileged to have the opportunity to undertake a Level 3 CMI management course through Commercial Services Group and look forward to learning alongside working in the next year.

What might people be surprised to learn about you?

When I was younger, I was a member of an athletics club running middle distances and cross country. When growing up in Scotland, we travelled all over the country to compete in events. I joined Invicta East Kent when my family moved to Kent in 1997 and represented Kent County when I was a teenager. I stopped competing when I moved away to University and nowadays enjoy going to Parkrun on a Saturday morning.