About Harry Johnston-Sluka
Harry qualified as a solicitor in April 2021 having completed his training contract at Invicta Law undertaking seats in the firm’s Dispute Resolution and Employment, Planning and Highways, Child Protection and Asylum Teams. This has given him experience advising and representing Local Authorities in a wide range of matters related to these areas of law. Prior to this, Harry studied a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History at the University of Sheffield and completed his Graduate Diploma In law (GDL) and Masters in Professional Legal Practice (LLM) at the University of Law, obtaining a Distinction in his LLM.
In relation to UASC, Harry has advised social workers on age assessments and applicable case law and has defended Judicial Review claims brought by UASC challenging their age assessments. He has also advised on no recourse to public funds cases, the withdrawal of support by local authorities following Home Office decisions on Asylum claims and the transfer of UASC to another local authority’s area for reunification with family members in the UK. Harry also has experience assisting senior solicitors with defending claims for damages brought against the local authority by families who had no recourse to public funds who alleged breaches of the Human Rights Act 1998.
Prior to joining the Asylum Team, Harry practiced in commercial and public law dispute resolution/litigation acting on behalf of local authorities. His practice areas focused particularly on Judicial Review cases and disputes related to Special Educational Needs (SEN) and local authority duties under the Care Act 2014. Harry has managed High Court cases in both the Administrative and Commercial Courts. Harry has a strong record of successfully defending Judicial Review claims at the pre-action and permission stages of litigation, particularly in relation to UASC age assessments and SEN disputes.
In addition to the above, Harry has advised on and assisted with proceedings in the Employment Tribunal, SEN Tribunal and the County Courts, developing expertise in assisting local authorities with a range of public law disputes and conducting advocacy at case management and other procedural hearings. Harry has also gained experience in relation to Adult Community Care matters and Coroner’s Inquests and is hopeful to develop his expertise in these practice areas.
