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 regularly acts for both claimants and defendants when very large sums of money are at stake. He has "an exceptional grasp of the medical issues" and is known for invariably making the right moves in a case.'.... 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
 
"Christopher Johnston has an “approachable, pleasant and calming manner,” say clients who also applaud him for having a “deep intellect." Chambers & Partners 2008

Medical discipline  General Medical Council and General Dental Council disciplinary work (also on appeal the Privy Council) including Professional Conduct Committee and Professional Performance Committee hearings, suspension and restoration hearings. He has represented the Trust in high-profile internal NHS disciplinary inquiries (HC(90)9). Previously undertaken: National Health Service tribunal hearings (for Trust and respondent doctors) and appeared on appeal to the High Court.

Police discipline  In disciplinary cases Chris has acted for the presenting officer and advised in complex cases and appeals for Forces throughout the country.

GDC v Diba and GDC v Abbassian: two complex fraud cases against dentists acting in the NHS
GMC v Dr X: case concerning highly sensitive issues of illegal prescribing by doctor.
GMC v Curtis [2004]: represented Assistant State Pathologist of Northern Ireland in relation to charge of serious professional misconduct concerning a post-mortem on a dead baby

Chris is the editor of "Medical Treatment decisions and the Law" (Bloomsbury, 2010), a comprehensive text on medical ethics cases in the High Court and Court of Protection.  Catherine Hopkins in the AvMA Medical & Legal Journal 2010 noted:

"with its "practical advice" and "helpful appendices" it is "comprehensive and user-friendly.  As such it would be a most useful manual for the legal practitioner.  But this book contains more than that and its appeal should be far wider and of equal value to doctors and social workers as well as lawyers."

As an editor of Medical Law Reports, Chris has written insightful commentaries on key disciplinary decisions.

• On Governors of X School [2010] EWCA Civ 1 Chris commented: "Article 6 has provided lawyers with the key to the closed doors of internal disciplinary proceedings..... In the media [the case] will probably be seen to fit neatly into their continuing glib - and mythic - tale of creeping litigiousness in our society.  However, loss of one's profession is a far greater punishment than regularly imposed in magistrates' courts, a forum in which the denial of legal representation would be seen by all as a grave abuse.  Those facing the de facto loss of their right to practice their profession are likely to agree with the lawyers' favourite adage that everyone hates lawyers until they need one."
• Analysing Bapio [2007] UKHL 27 he stated that "The government's failure to ensure joined up thinking on immigration has resulted in its defeat in the House of Lords.... The House of Lords is to be applauded for forcing the government to play fair and make good on promises made to doctors from a sub-continent which over the decades has played such a crucial role in ensuring the over-stressed cogs of the National Health Service continued to turn."

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

Professional Negligence Bar Association, LCLCBA  Member

Northern Ireland Bar  Called to the NI Bar in 2003