John Harrison QC

THE LEGAL 500

“Bribery and corruption cases are a particular speciality”

In 2019, John made legal history, a testament to his extensive expertise in fraud law.  John, and his fellow members of the legal team, secured the first ever bribery acquittal for their client following a Deferred Prosecution Agreement. 

John is well known for his capability to handle the most complex of cases with a clear, pragmatic approach and has a strong background in civil litigation and commercial law that works to his advantage when advising clients in all types of litigation. He has a broad experience of cases involving human rights issues with particular interest in cases of factual and legal complexity.

“Particularly experienced in white-collar fraud”

THE LEGAL 500

Fraud Law Cases

• R v. Sorby – Defence – SFO prosecution. Sorby was the retired managing director of Sarclad Ltd who traded internationally in steel manufacturing equipment. The company had entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the SFO, after undertaking an internal investigation. The DPA was anonymised to XYZ. Sorby was prosecuted by the SFO following the outcome of their investigation, which was in reality, an adoption of the investigation carried out by Sarclad’s solicitors. After a lengthy trial Sorby was acquitted by the jury casting doubt over the DPA process itself. Satellite litigation included SFO v. XYZ.
• R v. Wharton – Defence – Operation Circus, the lead defendant in both international property investment and ponzi investment frauds.
• R v. Patterson – Defence (VHCC), Operation Bamburgh 1, North East Property Buyers fraud involving mortgage, re-sale/re-mortgage and property investment scheme frauds.
• R v. Frisby – Defence (VHCC) – Operation Armadale, fraudulent trading and property investment schemes.
• R v. Smith – Defence (VHCC) – Operation Savate, VAT and direct tax fraud using the Construction Industry Scheme.
• R v. Marr – Defence – Operation Bamburgh 2, conspiracy to defraud, property development and mortgage fraud, electronic presentation.
• R v. Akegwure – Prosecution – Conspiracy to defraud, identity and credit fraud, company identities stolen and used to purchase or lease computer equipment.
• R v. Roberts – Defence – Fraudulent trading and money laundering in relation to the selling of utility company contracts and the failure of the company involved.
• R v. Sargent & Brownhill – Prosecution – NHS fraud and false accounting, diversion of funds from service users of care homes by managers of those care.
• R v. Kiani – Defence – Conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent trading offences prosecuted by the SFO. Defending a complex asset stripping fraud involving ‘white wash’ company purchases, inter company loans, and the use of factoring agents.
• R v. Khan – Defence – Indentity theft conspiracy involving malicious computer hacking, dissemination and sale of stolen credit card account numbers, compromised bank account information, counterfeit currency, counterfeit cheques, and counterfeit identity documents. Defendant involved as a ‘moderator’ within the ‘shadowcrew.com’ website. Defending an international conspiracy involving internet theft and fraud.

‘Recommended for prosecution and defending serious criminal matters’

The The Legal 500 2019

John Harrison QC was called to the bar in 1994 and was made Queens Counsel in 2016. John is a criminal law and regulatory specialist and has a specific expertise in regulatory areas including Health & Safety, Environmental Law & Trade Descriptions. He has a particular interest in financial regulation, particularly regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

John is an extremely popular barrister who has earned a reputation of being both a master tactician and an outstanding trial advocate. He is well known for his capability to handle the most complex of cases with a clear, pragmatic approach. John’s background in civil litigation and commercial law makes him particularly well placed to assist clients in a huge range of litigation areas. He is a particularly popular choice for cases involving substantial factual and legal complexity.

Although St Pauls Chambers are based both on the North Eastern Circuit he has a national practice. For further information or to instruct John Harrison QC please contact the Senior Clerk, Jayne Drake.

Homicide Cases

• R v. Musgrave – Defence – Alleged group attack by way of summary justice in Hartlepool, acquitted after trial.
• R v. O’Donnell – Defence – Conspiracy to murder in Bolton, acquitted of conspiracy to murder after trial having admitted conspiracy to commit robbery.
• R v. Culley – Defence – Alleged murder of husband by wife, complex background involving detailed medical and psychological analysis and evidence, plea to manslaughter accepted.
• R v. Ghazanfar – Defence – Group revenge attack on several other young men, one of whom was killed.
• R v. Goodall – Defence – Operation Troop – (defence) – Substantial Moss Side gang related murder involving numerous defendants. Joint enterprise and bad character both major factors in the case.
• R v. Liam Johnson – Defence – Conspiracy to murder, two brothers paid to kill complainant, attacked with axe and knife, complex issues witness intimidation & cut throat defences.
• R v. Callaghan, Ojengbede & Others – Defence – Attempted murder, shotgun used, drug turf war, complex factual case with extensive bad character issues.
• R v. Barker-Jones & Others – Defence – Aggravated burglary and double attempted murder, revenge attack on father and son, complex issues as to defendants mental state.
• R v. Onfroy & Hollis – Prosecution – Murder to steal drugs and money, convicted after trial.

“Well known for his health and safety and regulatory expertise. A very good advocate, who has an excellent manner when dealing with victims and witnesses”

THE LEGAL 500

Health & safety, corporate manslaughter

• R v. Roofing Consultants Limited – prosecution, fatality following fall from height, health and safety offences.
• R v. Al Amin Warehouse – prosecution, fatality following fall from height, health and safety offences.
• R v. Huntley Mount Engineering – prosecution, fatality involving a young apprentice at an engineering company, health and safety offences.
• R v. Pyranha Mouldings – prosecution, fatality at a canoe factory, health and safety offence
• v. Sherwood Rise Ltd – prosecution, fatality at a care home, elderly resident neglected, health and safety offences.
• R v. Andrew Jones Pies – prosecution, fatal explosion in a factory, health and safety offences.
• R v. Pavers – defence, asbestos contamination offences.

Environmental

• EA v. Fenny – unauthorised waste operation offences at various sites in Middlesbrough area.
• EA v. Smith – waste management offences described as the worst ever seen in South Yorkshire.

Trading standards

• R v. Glan McCallum – defence, part of Operation Clio, allegations of conspiracies to defraud by using copy-cat websites, not guilty verdicts prior to trial
• R v. Thwaites – defence, involving the deployment of test purchase officers as covert human resources.
• WYCC v. Hemingway – defence, mis-selling second hand cars, confiscation proceedings.
• NYCC v. Wileman – defence, company director alleged to have allowed false statements to be made on his company’s behalf.

Corporate advice

• Corporate advice – Corporate clients obviously wish to maintain confidentiality but issues dealt with have included:
  1. private prosecutions;
  2. product safety;
  3. industrial noise;
  4. asbestos contamination;
  5. waste disposal;
  6. the water industry;
  7. suspected fraudulent activity internal and external to the corporate;
  8. various FCA issues, including applicability of regulations and guidance (PERG); and,
  9. co-operation with investigating authorities within the context of health and safety investigations.