Pump Court Chambers

Simon Johnson was called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in July 1987, having previously been in practice as a solicitor (admitted November 1982). He is a specialist child care practitioner and is instructed on behalf of parents, family members and children.

Simon deals with cases involving the most serious issues, including non-accidental injury, sexual abuse and extreme neglect.

Simon’s breadth of experience, and what has been described by instructing solicitors as a notable thorough approach to case preparation and presentation, makes him an effective advocate who appears in court on most days. He also brings to his dealings with lay clients a vast experience of, and sympathetic understanding towards, the variety of human characteristics, limitations and failings that bring his clients into contact with the family law system. He has very extensive experience of dealing with clients with psychiatric and psychological difficulties, including learning difficulties, and those who have a history of substance abuse.

Simon is co-author of Child Protection Proceedings: Care and Adoption Orders (LexisNexis) Third Edition published January 2026

Basic French, German and Italian.

LLB (Hons.) (Wales) Aberystwyth 1979 Passed Solicitors’ Final Examination, College of Law, Chester 1980

Publications

Simon maintains a deep interest in the development of child law and family law. Throughout his years in practice has been a regular contributor to Family Law magazine and other legal journals.

He is a co-author of two well received books: Assessments of Parents in Care Proceedings (Jordans 2014) and Child Protections Proceedings: Care and Adoption Orders (LexisNexis: Third Edition January 2026).

Simon’s notable articles include:

‘Do they have to know about that?’ Human rights considerations and disclosure [2025] April Family Law Magazine In a New York adoption state of mind [2016] February Family Law Magazine Decisions, decisions: choice of school and the ‘judicial reasonable parent’ [2013] August Family Law Magazine ‘Religion, Children and the Family Courts’ [2013] May Family Law Magazine ‘What do Children Cases Actually Decide?’ [2012] April New Law Journal ‘How Many Parents Does a Child Need?’ [2012] March Family Law Magazine Case note on Re T (Residential Parenting Assessment) [2011] EWCA Civ 812: [2011] September Family Law Magazine ‘God Never Gave Her a Chance: Won’t an Independent Social Worker?’ Applications for Assessments [2011] August Family Law Magazine ‘Pre-Nuptial Agreements after Radmacher v Granatino’ [2009] August Family Law Magazine Case note on Holmes-Moorhouse v Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council [2009] 1 FLR 904 [2009] March Family Law Magazine ‘Shared Residence Orders: For and Against’ [2009] February Family Law Magazine

He has also spoken on a variety of legal subjects at the regular seminars organised by Pump Court  Chambers and other venues. He has been a visiting lecturer in Family Law at the University of Kent.