1979 -1986 Ballymena Academy, N. Ireland
1988 Worked for a Los Angeles law firm
1989 Trinity Hall, Cambridge: MA (Law): 1st class
1989 Gray’s Inn Scholarship
1999 Appointed by Attorney General: Junior Counsel to the Crown (B Panel)
2001 Publication of Medical Treatment Decisions & the Law
2003 Called to the Northern Irish Bar

2010 Publication of Second Edition of Medical Treatment Decisions and the Law

2010 Appointed Head of 3 Serjeants' Inn Clinical Negligence and Healthcare Team

2011 Appointed a QC.

Email: cjohnston@3serjeantsinn.com

Christopher is recommended in clinical negligence and professional discipline by leading legal directories the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

 'Christopher Johnston does equally well in both the medical and police sectors, and proves particularly good when it comes to dental matters.'.... Chambers and Partners 2011

Christopher Johnston is widely admired for his user-friendly manner: "He is a joy to work with and clients love him." He is also credited with achieving consistently excellent results, with a number of interviewees commenting that his pleadings are extremely accomplished. Solicitors rely on him. Chambers and Partners 2010

'Greatly in demand and a “class apart amongst the juniors,” Christopher Johnston impresses observers as an “incredibly quick, accurate, organised and dedicated individual.”' Chambers & Partners 2009 

"...draws considerable praise for his 'fine advocacy and drafting skills'..." Legal 500 2008

'...“very incisive and good at pinpointing issues and dealing with difficult clients.”' Chambers & Partners 2009

Civil Actions Involving the Police  Chris has substantial experience acting for police forces throughout the country in cases involving unlawful arrest, malicious prosecution, malfeasance in a public office and assault. He appeared in the Court of Appeal in the case of Orange which considered police liability for a death in custody. He defended West Mercia constabulary in a three week jury trial arising from a series of claims by an animal rights activist.

Nottridge: successfully defended Suffolk constabulary in action by claimant who sustained a broken leg when placed in police van.

Judicial Review  He represented the National Crime Squad in a landmark judicial review case concerning returning an officer to his home force (ex p Tucker). He has represented the Metropolitan Police in a judicial review by the Free Tibet campaign concerning the policing of protests during the visit of the President of China. He appeared for Kent Constabulary in a judicial review challenge under the Police Property Act. .

Human Rights  Lectured and advised extensively on differing aspects of the impact of the Human Rights Act on British policing.

Professional Conduct work  In disciplinary cases Chris has acted for the presenting officer and advised in complex cases and appeals for Forces throughout the country.

Employment work  His employment law experience includes sex discrimination, race discrimination and victimisation claims. He has acted in cases for police forces and Customs and Excise and both for and against the Ministry of Defence. He has been instructed to advise in numerous injury and ill health award cases both in the Crown Court Court and on judicial review and in Fennel v Croad (whether associate dentist employed".

He has acted for the Serious Organised Crime Agency in complex employment claims.

Inquests, Inquiries  He acted for Lincolnshire police in the 4 week Stirlands' Article 2 inquest (a revenge killing of a gangster's parents in Skegness) which raised important national issues about police co-ordination of intelligence and protection of witnesses.

Green: representing a doctor in a high profile five week Article 2 inquiry into the death by dehydration/starvation of an inmate on a prison hospital wing.  This factually complex case entailed cross-examination of numerous witnesses and experts.

He has frequently appeared in Coroner’s inquests and has represented Kent Constabulary when faced with allegations that CS spray caused the deceased to jump in front of a lorry. He has acted for police surgeons and prison doctors in drug overdose cases.

Previous work included  In 1988, Chris Johnston worked for a Los Angeles law firm, gaining experience of cases ranging from the murder of four DEA agents to a harassment claim against a jilted ex-lawyer/lover. Initial experience at the English Bar involved public order and breach of the peace criminal trials. Crown Court cases ranged from serious affray to a theft from a condom machine.

Stirland Inquest [2010]: 4 week Article 2 public inquiry into a revenge killing of a gangster's parents in Skegness which raised important issues about police co-ordination of intelligence and protection of witnesses.

Green [2007]: five week Article 2 public inquiry into the death by dehydration/starvation of an inmate on a prison hospital wing.  This factually complex case entailed cross-examination of numerous witnesses and experts.

PC "C" [2008]: I representend North Yorkshire police force at first instance and on appeal against an officer who stalked and harassed a former lover.

Deepcut Inquest [2006] Represented the Ministry of Defence in the three week inquest into the death of Private James Collinson at Deepcut Barracks.

R (ota Stanley and others) v Metropolitan Police Commissioner and others  [2004] EWHC 2229 (Admin) Divisional Court: (whether breach of Article 8 in distribution of leaflets containing names photographs and details of youths subject to Anti-Social Behaviour Orders)

R v Director-General of the National Crime Squad, ex Parte Tucker  [2003] ICR 599 (Court of Appeal) Times, January 27, 2003 (Termination of secondment to National Crime Squad: whether amenable to judicial review; extent to which fairness required that reasons should be given)

Nicholls Deceased  Liverpool Coroner’s Court May 2000 and September 2003 (death in police custody; death by heroin overdose following examination by police surgeon)

Pritchard v Chief Constable of West Mercia  Stourbridge County Court May 2002 (Three week jury trial in relation to a series of wrongful arrest and assault claims by an animal rights’ activist)

Orange v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire  [2001] 3 WLR 736 [2001] EWCA Civ 611; Times June 5, 2001 Court of Appeal (Fatal Accident claim; suicide in police cell; whether duty of care to take reasonable steps to prevent suicide was owed to prisoner who was merely drunk and not apparently suicidal)

R v Maidstone Magistrates Court ex p. Knight  Div Ct (Hidden J) 16/06/00 (Police Property Act: whether magistrates court wrong to accept jurisdiction; whether appropriate test for “ownership” applied; whether awarding no costs appropriate)

R v Metropolitan Police Commissioner ex p. the Free Tibet Campaign  Guardian 4.5.00 (judicial review against policing of protests against Chinese President

Bibby v Chief Constable of Essex Police  the Times April 24th, 2000; (2000) 164 J.P. 297; Court of Appeal (guideline case on common law power of arrest for breach of the peace, bailiff)

Chapman v Lancashire Police Authority  Preston Crown Court 31/3/00 (Ill-health and injury award Crown Court appeal)

Bradley v CC West Mercia  (Shrewsbury CC, March 1998: whether juvenile taken to police station without consent; unlawful arrest; PTSD)

Grandsoult v CC Norfolk  (Norfolk CC, February 1997: firearms operation resulting in arrest of innocent man; section 28 PACE issue)

Davies Deceased  March 1996, Southwark Coroners (Coroner’s inquest into death as result of methadone overdose in prison)

Johnson v CC Hampshire   (High Ct, October 1998: strike out of claim that plaintiff’s husband died as a result of stress of police interview)

Author of “Watching the Detectives” (reviewing human rights implications of surveillance on police officers)

Pensions/employment  In January 1999 he spoke at two national conferences on Police Injury and Ill health awards organised by John Beggs Training Ltd and has since provided advice to Forces on particular judicial review cases arising out of refusals of awards and on the general strategy to adopt in handling these claims.
In 1998 he took part in two national conferences on Sex and Race Discrimination in the Police Service.

Northern Ireland Bar  Called to the NI Bar in 2003