“She is precise, heartfelt and anti-pompous” – The Times
Harriet Johnson
2010
Harriet acts in cases involving the most serious allegations of criminal and civil wrongdoing, with a particular focus on holding the state to account where it has failed women.
Harriet 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”.
Outside of the bar, Harriet is a founder member of Women In Criminal Law and former Chair of the board of trustees at Women In Prison. She is a regular media contributor who is frequently called upon to provide legal insight and commentary on a range of contemporary topics, but in particular concerning violence against women.
Harriet's first book, “Enough: the violence against women and how to end it” (Harper Collins 2022; 2023) was an Amazon bestseller and was named by Waterstones as one of its books of the year for 2022.
What the directories say
'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.' - Legal 500 2025
Crime
Harriet defends in the most serious criminal allegations. Recent cases include securing the acquittal of a woman who, when attacked by her abusive husband, stabbed him multiple times. Harriet has particular expertise in cases involving complex matters of human trafficking and where criminal offences are alleged to have been committed as a result of coercive control. Most recently, Harriet acted for the only defendant to be acquitted of all charges in a multi-handed, cut-throat murder case.
Harriet has particular technical expertise in forensic pathology, forensic psychiatry, and neuropathology.
Actions Against the Police
Harriet has a specialist practice in private law actions and / or judicial review of public authorities, often acting on behalf of women. She is regularly instructed in actions against the police, in particular in claims of failure to investigate allegations of serious sexual violence under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights as well as in Article 2 claims, and allegations of false imprisonment, assault, misfeasance, and malicious prosecution.
Inquest and Inquiries
Harriet is currently instructed in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, acting for women who were deceived into sexual relationships by undercover police officers. She also represents those suffering Long Covid in the Covid Inquiry. Harriet previously acted for seven families of the deceased in the Manchester Arena Inquiry into the terrorist attack in 2017.
Harriet has acted in inquests involving issues relating to gender-based violence, domestic abuse, suicide, terrorism, prisons, drugs, and unsafe premises.
Harriet’s experience in civil actions against the police and prisons makes her ideally placed to conduct inquests where it is anticipated a civil claim might arise. As well as her legal insight, clients value Harriet’s sensitivity and steady hand during what is inevitably a stressful process for family members.
Public Law
Harriet accepts instructions across chambers’ administrative and public law practice. She regularly advises on the scope of judicial review, costs risk in public law proceedings, anonymity and third-party interventions.
Recent instructions include a judicial review of the Secretary of State for the Home Department by the Centre for Women’s Justice; the judicial review of the Police Misconduct Panel by Kristina O’Connor, and the key case of R (Grice) v HM Senior Coroner of Brighton and Hove [2020] EWHC 3581 (Admin).
