Harriet Johnson

Doughty Street Chambers

Having trained as a specialist criminal barrister, Harriet's practice has expanded to include related areas of civil and human rights law. She is qualified to undertake direct access work meaning that, in appropriate cases, members of the public can instruct her without the need for a solicitor.

Harriet is valued by instructing solicitors for her precise and detailed case preparation as well as her legal and tactical insight. However, it is her skilled and compelling advocacy that most commonly attracts both client and judicial praise.

Harriet is a powerful speaker and has been invited to deliver keynote addresses at conferences all over the world. Prior to being called to the bar Harriet worked in the House of Commons, and on death row appeals in San Francisco.

Contributed to

1

Good character directions in criminal proceedings

Practice notes

This Practice Note explains the admissibility of good character evidence in criminal proceedings. It explains the two limbs of a good character direction which must be given to juries when such evidence is relied upon. The Practice Note also explains the types of cases where good character may apply and the guidance from the Court of Appeal in R v Hunter on the content and extent of good character directions. It also considers when evidence as to the good character of complainant witnesses may be relevant to an issue in the trial and therefore may be adduced.

Corporate Crime