Nicholas Johnson KC > Chambers of Richard Pratt KC > Liverpool, England > Barrister Profile
7 Harrington Street Offices
7 Harrington Street
7 HARRINGTON STREET
LIVERPOOL
L2 9YH
England
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Nicholas Johnson KC
Work Department
Crime.
Position
Practice Areas
Crime
Mr Johnson is currently prosecuting in the case of R v Lucy Letby.
Mr Johnson does predominantly crime and crime related work including:
- Homicide – including recent experience in the following areas
- Health & Safety
- Gross Negligence Manslaughter
- Alleged gangland executions
- Drugs – large scale importations and distribution nextwork
- Fraud – M.T.I.C/ Carousel
- Proceeds of Crime
- Confiscation
(Legal 500 2023) Ranked Tier 1 (Crime, Leading Silks)
“He displays excellent client care skills” (Legal 500 2020 ) Ranked Tier 2 (Crime, Leading Silks)
“He is exceptional on his feet” (Legal 500 2018) – Ranked tier 1
Chambers and Partners 2022
Crime – Northern Bar Band 1
Nicholas Johnson QC has considerable experience as both prosecutor and defender in a broad range of serious criminal cases. He is particularly known for his ability to handle challenging homicide cases, including murder, gross negligence manslaughter and gangland executions. He is also instructed in cases concerning drugs, serious sexual offences, and health and safety. He additionally has substantial experience handling POCA and confiscation cases.
Strengths: “A fantastic barrister. He is always my first choice – you won’t find anyone who can assimilate a case and know absolutely every detail like he does.” “He is unflappable, good on the law and has a great manner with clients.”
Recent work: Defended a defendant accused of murder, who believed that the victim had burgled his daughter’s home.
Chambers and Partners 2020
Crime- Northern Bar Band 1
“Has considerable experience as both prosecutor and defender in a broad range of serious criminal cases. He is particularly known for his ability to handle challenging homicide cases, including murder, gross negligence manslaughter and gangland executions. He is also instructed in cases concerning drugs, serious sexual offences and health and safety. He additionally has substantial experience handling POCA and Confiscation cases.
Strengths: ” He is absolutely amazing – his advocacy is fantastic and his attention to detail is second to none. He’s great with clients, and is straightforward, honest and candid” “A serious fraud silk who is also excellent in homicide cases. He’s a proper team leader and a master tactician”.
Recent Work: Secured the successful prosecution of paedophile coach Barry Bennell, who was previously found guilty of abusing several boys as young as 14.
“Has considerable experience as both prosecutor and defender in a broad range of serious criminal cases. He is particularly known for his ability to handle challenging homicide cases, including murder, gross negligence manslaughter and gangland executions. He is also instructed in cases concerning drugs, serious sexual offences and health and safety.”
Strengths: “Nicholas is excellent, he is very good at collating information and understanding complex evidence in a clear way.” “An innovative leading counsel who is the man to go to if highly complex legal submissions are required.”
Recent work: Instructed to prosecute a six-handed gangland murder case involving the targeted assassination of a man outside a pub in Manchester.
(Chambers and Partners 2018)
“Has considerable experience as both prosecutor and defender on a broad range of serious criminal cases. He is particularly known for his ability to handle challenging homicide cases, including murder and gangland executions”
Strengths: “He is absolutely meticulous, he’s very impresive” “He is particularly good, destined for great things.”
Recent Work: “Acted for the prosecution in R v Donovan, Taylor and Spendlove, relating to the murder of Merseyside PC Neil Doyle and the serious assault of two other police officers.
(Chambers and Partners 2017)
“His recent practice is concentrated on all forms of homicides, including manslaughter and those resulting from negligence and gangland executions. He also has a strong track record of handling drugs and fraud cases. He equally acts in prosecution and defence.
Strengths: “His obvious qualities are thorough preparation and the ability to deal with differing types of witness. He is quite prepared to stick to his guns.
Recent Work: Acted in the R v O’Shaughnessy and Others case involving gang street violence that culminated in the fatal stabbing of a young man.
(Chambers and Partners 2016)
“He has an excellent ability to deal with different types of witnesses” (Legal 500 2016) – Ranked tier 1
“His expertise includes multi-handed drugs conspiracies,fraud, and money laundering” (Legal 500 2015) – Ranked tier 1
“An experienced criminal specialist noted for his expertise in homicide cases and large scale conspiracies to import or distribute drugs.
Recent Work: Acted for a defendant accused of murdering another man who had suffered a brain haemorrhage following an unprovoked assault”
(Chambers and Partners 2015)
The UK Legal 500 2014 – Crime Leading Silks – “Always available to discuss a case”
Career
Called 1987; Inner Temple; QC 2006.
Education
BA, DipLaw.
Lawyer Rankings
Regional Bar > Northern Circuit > Crime (general and fraud)
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1Nicholas Johnson KC – 7 Harrington Street ‘Nicholas is undoubtedly one of the very best criminal KCs practising today. Committed, hard-working, urbane, relatable, sensible, laconic, charming, and persuasive, he is trusted by judges without giving an inch in the promotion of his client’s interests.’
The criminal law team at 7 Harrington Street has broad-ranging expertise and its members handle a broad range of criminal cases. The set is home to Nicholas Johnson KC, who is regularly instructed on cases regarding gross negligence manslaughter, alleged gangland murders, major drug importation and distribution networks, serious sexual offences, and fraud. A notable highlight was his defence of a 14-year-old boy charged with the murder of 12-year-old Ava White, who was stabbed to death in central Liverpool. Head of chambers Richard Pratt KC prosecutes and defends, and he defended a woman who was convicted of abusing her husband in addition to subjecting him to severe controlling and coercive behaviour. Nigel Power KC is another key member of the set and he has significant expertise in murder and fraud cases.