Doughty Street Chambers

Doughty Street Chambers

Region Area

Barristers

Harriet Johnson

Harriet Johnson

Work Department

Criminal Law and Appeals Business Crime and Investigations

Position

Harriet acts in cases involving the most serious allegations of criminal and civil wrongdoing. She is meticulous in her approach to case preparation and is valued by her instructing solicitors for legal and tactical insight that is far beyond her call. An advocate first and foremost, Harriet has earned praise from clients and the bench alike for her ability to, as one Judge put it “spin straw into gold”.

Career

Year of Call: 2010

Amongst others, she is currently instructed by:

The Centre for Women’s Justice in its application for judicial review of the Home Secretary’s decision-making concerning the Angiolini Inquiry into Wayne Couzens and the death of Sarah Everard Seven of the bereaved families in the Inquiry into the Manchester Arena Bombing Kristina O’Connor, who reported her robbery to the police only to be sexually harassed by a police officer. Despite being found guilty of gross misconduct at a disciplinary hearing, DCI James Mason kept his job.

Harriet is a powerful speaker and has delivered keynote addresses at legal conferences all over the world. She is a fierce advocate of women’s rights, and in 2016 founded Doughty Street’s annual #DoughtyStWomen events: a series of conferences for lawyers, charities, academics and activists that invites delegates to consider what more the law can do for women. Harriet is a founder member of Women In Criminal Law, and a trustee of the charity Women In Prison.

Languages

French

Memberships

Young Fraud Lawyers Association Police Action Lawyers Group Criminal Bar Association Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers Bar Human Rights Committee Women In Criminal Law

Education

BA (Hons) Philosophy and Political Science, Trinity College, University of Dublin LLB (Hons) BPP Law School Bar Vocational Course, College of Law South-Eastern Circuit Florida Criminal Advocacy Scholarship

Mentions

Northern Circuit • Regional Bar

Crime (general and fraud)

Leading junior3
Harriet Johnson – Doughty Street Chambers 'Harriet is an exceptional barrister. She is very clever and always up to date with the law, considering complex matters with ease, and she is not just an excellent technical lawyer; she is approachable, responsive, and clients love her.'