Band 1
Band 2
About
Provided by Nicholas Johnson KC
Practice Areas
Leading Tier 1 silk in Financial Crime, described as “a superstar” and “a master tactician with a wonderful court presence”, Nick appears in courts nationally and has worked alongside US, European, Russian/CIS and Middle East colleagues. He has extensive experience as a criminal trial advocate and leading teams in complex investigations, often from a pre-charge stage. His practice crosses over into financial orders/recovery, compliance/AML, asylum/extradition proceedings, regulatory and professional misconduct, and inquests. Recent financial crime cases include:
• Ongoing MoD procurement fraud investigation - leading Crown counsel.
• Acquittal of chartered accountant in £266m, 8 month money laundering trial, cash allegedly laundered through NatWest bank and Dubai gold trade routes.
• Representing former VP Finance of J&J in UK, US and Greek cross-border investigation/trials into alleged corporate bribery of surgeons - medical devices fraud.
• Defending in first ever UK jury trial of a company charged with s.7 corporate failure to prevent bribery offence.
Nick continues to prosecute and defend in high-profile serious and organised crime cases:
• gangland murder cases, including defending the “Iceman Assassin” in the killings of Paul Massey and John Kinsella.
• infant murder including involving NAHI/AHT.
• cases involving international OCGs and encrypted technology.
Appointments:
Silk 2016
SFO KC Panel
Public Access Accredited
Bar Council Representative
Deputy Head of Crime, Exchange Chambers
Publications
Contributing Author of “Lissack & Horlick on Bribery and Corruption” (Lexis Nexis 3rd ed. 2020).
Chambers Review
UK Bar
Nicholas Johnson KC of Exchange Chambers attracts high-level recognition for his handling of complex financial crime cases. Key mandates include advising on allegations of money laundering and corruption. He is capable of giving pre-charge advice and handling multi-agency, cross-border financial crime investigations.
Nicholas Johnson KC is an impressive practitioner who undertakes a range of criminal briefs. He often handles high-profile murder and sexual abuse trials.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Nicholas is a very good advocate."
"Forensically and tactically there is no one like Nicholas."
"Nicholas has a particularly good advocacy skill set. He is persuasive and effective in communicating in whichever arena and he can speak to the client and deal with the judge at the appropriate level."
"Nicholas is a very good advocate."
"Forensically and tactically there is no one like Nicholas."
"Nicholas has a particularly good advocacy skill set. He is persuasive and effective in communicating in whichever arena and he can speak to the client and deal with the judge at the appropriate level."