Crime.
Call: 2002 Grays Inn
Gray’s Inn Pupil Supervisor
Professional Memberships: Criminal Bar Association
Judicial Appointments: Part Time Judge of the First Tier tribunal (Mental Health)
Legal Member – Mental Health Tribunal for Wales
Practice Areas Crime Criminal Defence Civil Actions Against the Police Disciplinary Tribunals Firearms Law Chambers and Partners 2022 Ranked: Tier 3 (Legal 500 2023) (Crime Leading Juniors) Crime- Northern Bar Band 3 Jonathan Duffy is an experienced junior who regularly acts for the prosecution and the defence in complex criminal cases. His caseload includes armed robberies, murders, drugs conspiracies and sexual offences. Strengths: “You know you can absolutely trust his judgement.” Recent work: Prosecuted a four-handed false imprisonment and Section 18 firearms case. ‘Defends in a range of serious criminal cases.’ Ranked: Tier 3 (Legal 500 2021) (Crime Leading Junior)‘Defends in a range of serious criminal cases’ (Legal 500 2020) Ranked Tier 3 Crime Leading Juniors
“Highly recommended for defending in high-profile murder and fraud trials” (Legal 500 2018) Ranked Tier 1
“An experienced defence practitioner with a good number of Court of Appeal appearances under his belt. He is on the list of approved counsel authorised to represent defendants and victims before the International Criminal Court at The Hague.” Strengths: Jonathan is a really safe pair of hands and a good solid advocate who commands respect.” Recent work: Successfully defended a person accused of rape. (Chambers and Partners 2018)
“An experienced defence practitioner with a good number of Court of Appeal appearances under his belt. He is on the list of approved counsel authorised to represent defendants and victims before the International Criminal Court at the Hague” Recent Work: Appeared in the Court of Appeal, Successfully appealing against a sentence imposed in respect of offences of rape and other sexual offences against a child. (Chambers and Partners 2017)
“Focuses primarily on defending cases in both the Crown Court and Court of Appeal. His experience covers cases relating to drug importation and distribution, serious sexual offences and homicides. Recent Work: Successfully represented a defendant who had been charged with a murder committed in the course of a burglary at the home of an elderly individual. (Chambers and Partners 2015)
“A highly experienced defence counsel in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal” (Legal 500 2016) Ranked: Tier 1
“Very personable, calm and reassuring” (Legal 500 2015) Ranked: tier 1
“Jonathan Duffy – Well known for his appellate work” (Legal 500 2014)
Areas of PracticeJonathan 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 TH 2023
Client charged with three counts of rape, alleged to have been committed whilst his partner was asleep (and therefore not consenting to sex) and one count of violent assault. Found not guilty by the Jury after trial at The Crown Court at Liverpool.
R v DU 2023
Prosecuted defendant charged with Murder, led by Peter Glenser KC. Case concerned the murder of a man in Liverpool in 2015. Defendant acquitted by the Jury at trial.
R v WH 2023
Client charged with 5 counts of rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences said to have been committed against children. Found not guilty by the Jury following trial before the Crown Court at Liverpool.
R v Roland Wedgewood Orekoya 2023
The Supreme Court – The Falkland Islands
Instructed to respond to an application by The Attorney-General of The Falkland Islands that a sentence imposed upon RWO was unduly lenient. The application, which was heard at The Supreme Court, Stanley, was successfully defeated.
R v Morgan 2022
Instructed as Leading Junior Counsel to defend DM, who was charged with conspiracy to launder £58 million in cash. Trial before The Crown Court at Stoke-on-Trent.
R v Thorpe 2022
Defendant charged along with 9 others with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin. Found not guilty by the jury at The Crown Court at Derby.
R v Barnett 2022
Defendant was stopped by police and found to be in possession of a large number of wraps of cocaine, over £1500 in cash and a knife. When spoken to, he fled the scene and ran off.
Charged with possession of cocaine with intent to supply and possession of a bladed article. Found not guilty by the
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 W 2022
Defendant charged with Assault on police officer. At trial, after legal submissions, the prosecution offered no evidence and Defendant acquitted.
R v D 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 C 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’M & 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 J A 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 A E 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 P G 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 D F 2014
Court of Appeal – Successful Appeal against Sentence.
R v L S 2013
[2013] EWCA Crim 2449
Court of Appeal – Successful Appeal against Sentence.
R v J H 2013
[2013] EWCA Crim 859
Court of Appeal – Successful Appeal against Sentence.
R v M W 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 C C 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 P D 2012
Defence of Post Office worker charged before Warrington Crown Court with Theft of Royal Mail valued at ¼ million pounds.
R v S B 2012
Defence of Principal Defendant in 21 handed drugs conspiracy before The Crown Court at Exeter.
R v N A 2012
Defence of Post Master at Enfield Post office charged with Theft and False Accounting of £250,000. Wood Green Crown Court
R v R D 2012
Defence of a man charged with Murder at Liverpool Crown Court. Led by Stephen Riordan QC.
R v L 2012
Defence of man charged with Rape and serious sexual assault against young girl. Acquitted at trial.
R v W B 2012
Defence of a woman charged with the attempted Murder of her husband before Mold Crown Court.
R v J B 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 K C 2012
Defence of local man charged with serious assault on co-worker. Acquitted at trial before Caernarvon Crown Court.
R v J C 2012
Successful defence of Taxi Driver charged with Causing Death by Careless Driving. Acquitted at trial.
R v M 2012
[2012] EWCA Crim 1624
Instructed on Appeal against Sentence before The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division). Appeal Successful.
R v A R 2012
Instructed on Appeal against Sentence before The Court of Appeal. Appeal Successful.
R v J B 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 S D 2011
Defence of man charged with Murder following shooting of local debt collector in Frodsham, Cheshire. Led by Richard Pratt QC.
R v H 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 E 2011
Defendant charged with Indecently Assaulting and Raping his daughter over a period of 24 years. Acquitted at trial.
R v M S 2011
Defendant charged with Armed Robbery of a commercial premises, armed with a handgun. Acquitted at trial before Liverpool Crown Court.
R v K 2011
Defendant (a hairdresser) charged with Rape of former client. Acquitted at trial before Crown Court at Mold.
R v Dr. M L 2011
Instructed to defend local Doctor accused of importing prohibited weapon. Acquitted after trial at The Crown Court at Mold.
R v E 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 M M 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 R L [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 P P 2010
[2010] EWCA Crim 2107
Instructed to Appeal sentence imposed following guilty plea to Dangerous driving. Sentence Reduced.
R v J G 2010
Defended Client charged with two counts of Attempted Murder. Case featured on BBC Crimewatch
R v P C 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 D 2009
Client charged with Rape of new partner before Liverpool Crown Court. Acquitted at trial.
R v D S 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 L S 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 S M 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 R B 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 Y B
[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 R B 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 T L 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 K 2008
Defended Client at Leeds Crown Court charged with serious sexual assault upon teenage woman by Penetration. Acquitted at trial.
R v F 2008
Defended client charged in very large conspiracy to cultivate cannabis. Indictment stayed as an abuse of process.
R v M M 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 F A 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 D S 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 E W 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 M 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 C 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.