Jonathan Duffy > Chambers of Richard Pratt KC > Liverpool, England > Lawyer Profile

Areas of Practice

Jonathan Duffy was called to The Bar by Gray’s Inn in 2002.

His Criminal Practice is almost exclusively focused on defending in The Crown Court and Court of Appeal. He is appointed to the panel of prosecuting Counsel (at Grade 4) but he rarely prosecutes.

He has defended in some extremely high profile trials, including many cases of Murder (including that involving the principal Defendant accused of the Murder of Rhys Jones in Liverpool), Rape, Serious Drug allegations, Fraud and other serious and grave crime.

Mr Duffy is one of a small number of UK Barristers admitted to the list of advocates authorised to appear before the International Criminal Court at The Hague in cases of War Crime, Genocide and crimes against humanity

Mr Duffy is also frequently instructed in Appeals to the Crown Court concerning Firearms and Shotgun Certification revocation. Chief Officers of Police are increasingly revoking certificates on the basis of historic or unsupported information and recently, Mr Duffy has assisted many clients successfully challenge such decisions.

He is a registered Pupil Supervisor and is authorised by the Bar Council to accept instructions directly from the Public in appropriate cases.

To provide a flavour of his practice, brief details of some of the cases in which he has appeared are set out below.

Unless stated otherwise, Mr Duffy was instructed for the Defence.

R v K  2022 

Defendant charged with money laundering in alleged large scale drugs/money laundering conspiracy. Trial due late 2022

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/timmy-donovan-charged-money-laundering-20680586

R v SE 2022

Instructed as Leading Junior Counsel to defend client charged with conspiracy to supply Amphetamine after discovery of very large Amphetamine factory. Trial 2023

R v GSK 2022

Instructed as Leading Junior Counsel to defend client, who is one of ten defendants charged with people trafficking.  Trial late 2022

R v WI & others 2022

Instructed to Defend four people charged by Trading Standards with manufacturing fake hand sanitiser products during COVID19 pandemic. Trial due in 2023.

R v Wood 2022

Defendant charged with Assault on police officer. At trial, after legal submissions, the prosecution offered no evidence and Defendant acquitted.

R v Dalton 2021

Represented Defendent charged with 4 counts of Fraud. Following two aborted trials, successful legal argument resulted in prosecution offering no evidence. Defendant acquitted.

R v Cornmell 2021 

Represented Appellant before The Court of Appeal. Sentence reduced on Appeal.

R v PJ 2021

Defendant charged with Attempted Murder. Acquitted on the grounds of insanity. Sentenced to hospital order.

R v MW 2021

Defendant charged with Murder. Acquitted at trial (convicted of manslaughter)

R v JA 2021

Defendant, a paramedic, charged with ten offences of Rape and Sexual Assault. Acquitted after trial.

R v O’Malley & Others 2021

Prosecuted 3 men variously responsible for offences of false imprisonment, very serious violence and offences involving weapons and firearms. Sentenced to total of 37 years imprisonment.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/faces-cannabis-farm-torture-thugs-21473025

R v JON 2021

Defendant, a Door Supervisor charged with Assaulting a customer occasional actual bodily harm.  Acquitted after trial.

R v PC 2021

Prosecuted Defendant for Causing an Explosion with intent to endanger life.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9249113/Builder-28-wakes-coma-told-blew-ROOF-home.html

R v FA 2020

Defendant in trial lasting 4 weeks of 6 men charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Client only man acquitted.

R v CS 2020

Defended 66 year old motorist who pleaded guilty to causing death by Dangerous Driving.

R v KH 2020

Defended former police officer charged with historic offences of indecency with children. Acquitted after trial.

R v CH 2019

Prosecuted 57 year old motorist charged with causing death by careless driving. Convicted after trial.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-48301149

R v AB (POCA) 2019

Defended largest ever POCA proceedings involving Bitcoin and Crypto currency. Available amount reduced from £1.1m to Benefit figure.

R v JP 2018

Defended JP, a 19-year-old university student accused of rape at University Halls of residence. Acquitted after trial.

R v DF 2017

Defended client charged with four offences of theft of very high value Jewellery and watches from shops and residential premises in Manchester. Acquitted of all charges after trial.

R v AB (POCA) 2017 

Client pleaded guilty to ten offences charged under The Computer Misuse Act where Mr Duffy’s client is said to have successfully hacked Google, Skype and other such websites.

R v CGM 2017

Case against client initially stayed as abuse of process following legal argument. Re-instated by The Court of Appeal following Prosecution Appeal of Terminating Ruling, Client acquitted at trial before a Jury.

R v HM 2017

Client charged with Fraud by false representation before Crown Court at Mold. Acquitted at trial.

R v Joseph Adepetun 2017

Prosecuted case of Wounding with Intent following stabbing in Liverpool City centre. Defendant convicted after trial and sentenced to  12 years imprisonment.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/man-would-kiiller-hero-passer-13585549

Civil Aviation Authority v Alan Elliott 2017

Prosecuted pilot for low flying over Goodison Park (Everton FC) during a Premier League Match. Convicted.

R v MI 2015

Client charged with Rape. Acquitted after trial at Manchester Crown Court.

R v R 2015

Appeal against sentence imposed in respect of offences of Rape and other sexual offences against a child. Appeal before the Court of Appeal successful; sentence reduced.

R v MW 2015

Defence of former England Football Captain, charged with motoring offences before the Magistrates Court.

R v JK 2015

Defence of Polish national Charged with Rape of girl in Wales.  Acquitted after Trial.

R v DD 2015

Defence of local man charged with historic Rape and Sexual Assault of relative.  Acquitted after Trial.

R v CS 2014

Defence of Caernarfon man charged with historic Rapes of two girls.  Acquitted after Trial.

R v Peter Garrett 2014

Defence of former politician on charges relating to an alleged Pensions Fraud in the course, which the losses/gains were said to have amounted to multi-millions of pounds. Acquitted after trial lasting four months. Prosecution appeal of terminating ruling dismissed at Court of Appeal.

R v Daniel Farrington 2014

Court of Appeal – Successful Appeal against Sentence.

R v Lee Stoba 2013

[2013] EWCA Crim 2449

Court of Appeal – Successful Appeal against Sentence.

R v Jamie Hyndley 2013

[2013] EWCA Crim 859

Court of Appeal – Successful Appeal against Sentence.

R v Manuel Wagner 2013

Defence of German National charged in connection with the discovery of human remains following a Murder committed by others. Acquitted at Trial.

R v Christopher Curran 2013

Defence of a man charged with the Murder of an elderly lady in Wrexham, Wales, during the course of a Burglary at her home. Acquitted at Trial.

R v DL 2013

Defence of man charged with the Rape of his stepdaughter. Acquitted after Trial.

R v Paul Doughty 2012

Defence of Post Office worker charged before Warrington Crown Court with Theft of Royal Mail valued at ¼ million pounds.

R v Stephen Blundell 2012

Defence of Principal Defendant in 21 handed drugs conspiracy before The Crown Court at Exeter.

R v Naveed Anwar 2012

Defence of Post Master at Enfield Post office charged with Theft and False Accounting of £250,000. Wood Green Crown Court

R v Ryan Doran 2012

Defence of a man charged with Murder at Liverpool Crown Court. Led by Stephen Riordan QC.

R v Lambert 2012

Defence of man charged with Rape and serious sexual assault against young girl. Acquitted at trial.

R v Wendy Burns 2012

Defence of a woman charged with the attempted Murder of her husband before Mold Crown Court.

R v James Blair 2012

Defence of man charged with Murder before The Crown Court at Leeds.

R v JG 2012

Defence of a woman charged Conspiring to Rape her own daughter (12 years) by introducing her to an established paedophile ring. Acquitted at trial of the principle charges before Reading Crown Court.

R v Kieran Corrigan 2012

Defence of local man charged with serious assault on co-worker. Acquitted at trial before Caernarvon Crown Court.

R v Jeffrey Cull 2012

Successful defence of Taxi Driver charged with Causing Death by Careless Driving. Acquitted at trial.

R v  Metcalfe 2012

[2012] EWCA Crim 1624 

Instructed on Appeal against Sentence before The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division). Appeal Successful.

R v Anthony Richardson 2012

Instructed on Appeal against Sentence before The Court of Appeal. Appeal Successful.

R v Jordan Bowen 2011

Defendant convicted of Robbery by Jury at Liverpool Crown Court. Instructed to Appeal against conviction on grounds of Judicial Error. Appeal successful. Conviction Quashed.

R v Scott Davidson 2011

Defence of man charged with Murder following shooting of local debt collector in Frodsham, Cheshire. Led by Richard Pratt QC.

R v Hargreaves 2011

[2011] EWCA Crim 2857

Instructed to Appeal sentence of 11 years imprisonment. Appeal succeeded before The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division), sentence reduced to 8 years.

R v Evans 2011

Defendant charged with Indecently Assaulting and Raping his daughter over a period of 24 years. Acquitted at trial.

R v Maximilian Surrey 2011

Defendant charged with Armed Robbery of a commercial premises, armed with a handgun. Acquitted at trial before Liverpool Crown Court.

R v Kershaw 2011

Defendant (a hairdresser) charged with Rape of former client. Acquitted at trial before Crown Court at Mold.

R v Dr. Michael Lowens 2011

Instructed to defend local Doctor accused of importing prohibited weapon. Acquitted after trial at The Crown Court at Mold.

R v Evans 2011

Defended Client charged with Inciting a child to engage in Sexual Activity. Acquitted after trial at The Crown Court at Mold.

A-G Reference No 60 of  2009 (Appleby & Others)

[2010] 2 Cr. App. R. (S.) 46

Instructed to respond to Attorney-General’s reference in what is the leading authority in sentencing ‘single punch’ manslaughter cases.

R v Mark McGovern 2010

Defended (led by Stephen Riordan QC) in Conspiracy to Import Class A Drugs with a value of £15m + at Manchester Crown Court.

R v Ryan Lamb [2010]

Instructed to Appeal against sentence of 10 years Imprisonment imposed for series of cash-in-transit robberies committed in Cardiff.  Permission to Appeal granted.  Appeal dismissed.

R v Paul Pettit 2010

[2010] EWCA Crim 2107

Instructed to Appeal sentence imposed following guilty plea to Dangerous driving. Sentence Reduced.

R v James Gilmour 2010

Defended Client charged with two counts of Attempted Murder. Case featured on BBC Crimewatch

R v Philip Cray 2009

[2009] EWCA Crim 149

Defended Client, charged with possessing substantial quantities of Class A controlled drugs with intent to supply. Convicted after trial, sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.  Successful Appeal against Sentence.

R v Dillon 2009

Client charged with Rape of new partner before Liverpool Crown Court.  Acquitted at trial.

R v Dennis Slade 2009

Defended Client in two consecutive 8 week long trials at Leeds Crown Court charged with Conspiracy to Murder (led by James Lewis QC) and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery (Led by Andrew Menary QC). Leave to Appeal against conviction and sentence given. Hearing is awaited.

R v Lesley Sampson 2009

Successfully defended Mrs Sampson, the mother of Britain’s Got Talent Star, George Sampson, on charges contrary to the Environmental Protection Act.

R v Sean Mercer 2008

Junior Counsel for the defence of 17 years old boy charged with the Murder of Rhys Jones, an 11 year old Liverpool boy.  Led by Richard Pratt QC. Convicted after trial.

R v Roy Baxter 2008

Instructed to Appeal against sentence of 6 years Imprisonment imposed following plea of guilty to Conspiracy to Rob before Lewes Crown Court. Appeal successful. Sentence reduced to 4 ½ years.

R v Yarsar Butt

[2008] EWCA 2105

Instructed to Appeal against 12 years sentence imposed following Guilty Plea to conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs at The Crown Court at Leeds. Successful Appeal, sentence reduced to one of 8 years.

R v Roy Baxter 2008

[2008] EWCA Crim 2217

Defended. Client charged with supply of controlled drugs inside HMP Prison Preston. Convicted after trial. Successful Appeal against Conviction. Conviction quashed.

R v Thomas Lythgoe 2008

Junior Counsel for the defence. Client charged with the Murder (stabbing) of a friend. Led by Stuart Lawson-Rogers QC. Convicted of Manslaughter.

R v Kenyon 2008

Defended Client at Leeds Crown Court charged with serious sexual assault upon teenage woman by Penetration. Acquitted at trial.

R v Farrell 2008

Defended client charged in very large conspiracy to cultivate cannabis.  Indictment stayed as an abuse of process.

R v Michael McGunigle 2008

[2008] EWCA cRIM 383

Instructed to Appeal against total sentence of 6 years imprisonment imposed following conviction for knifepoint robbery of small business and perverting the course of justice. Appeal successful. Sentence reduced.

R v Falak Alam 2007

Junior Counsel for the Defence of Client charged with the Murder of a business associate. Pleaded guilty. Led by Neil Flewitt QC.

R v Duncan Stewart 2007

[2007] EWCA Crim 1621

Instructed to Appeal against length of minimum specified period imposed as part of Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection following conviction for knifepoint robbery.   Ten years reduced to eight.

R v Emma Webster 2007

[2007] EWCA Crim 619

Instructed to Appeal against sentence of 3 years imprisonment imposed following conviction for theft. W was a nurse, convicted of stealing Pethidine from patients in order to satisfy her own addiction to the drug. Appeal successful. Sentence reduced to 2 years.

R v MacDonald 2006

Defended 67 years old man at Mold Crown Court charged with sexual assaults against two children aged 11 and 8 years.  Acquitted after retrial.

R v Crawford 2006

Defended 25 years old man accused of gang rape of 20 years old female complainant at a party.  Acquitted at trial

Attorney-General’s Reference no 92 of 2005 (Stephen Patrick Harmon) 2006

Instructed to Respond to Attorney-General’s Reference in case of Defendant sentenced to Drug Treatment Order imposed in respect of Supply of Class A controlled drugs. Prosecution Application that the sentence was unduly lenient was refused.