Charlotte Johnson
Career overview
Charlotte started her legal career at Lamb Building, London before developing her practice in the North. Thereafter she took a career break, including maternity leave. During this time, she lectured students studying on the Bar Training Course and was appointed to sit on the Parole Board of England and Wales.
Charlotte practises in criminal law, prison law and has experience with regulatory matters.
Practice Summary
In crime, Charlotte receives instructions in the Magistrates’ and Crown Court and has developed a reputation as an advocate who can engage with clients from all walks of life. She is motivated by her strong belief that everybody should have access to the best representation, regardless of their financial position. Charlotte’s warm yet robust approach has led to repeated instructions representing young and vulnerable clients.
Charlotte has a background in prison law, having represented prisoners in adjudications and parole hearings. The prisoners represented included those who had committed the most serious offences, including murder, manslaughter and sexual offences against children. She has significant experience representing clients who have complex emotional and mental health needs, whose hearings often require detailed questioning of experts in psychiatry and psychology.
Charlotte also has experience representing families and properly interested persons in Inquests, including Article 2 death in custody matters, care home deaths and hospitals.
Charlotte has experience representing Local Authorities in regulatory prosecutions.
Details of practice
Appointments
Independent Member of the Parole Board 2025
Notable cases
Criminal law
- R v DB (2019): Charlotte represented this client in a multi-defendant trial who was charged with the theft and handling of 2970 Sony Playstation 4 Slim Consoles worth £769,000.00, before they were available to buy in the UK. The court sentenced the defendant to a two-year suspended custodial sentence after a majority verdict was returned.
- R v BM (2019): Defendant acquitted after trial of an offence of possession of a firearm, the client having pleaded guilty to possession of firearm ammunition and not guilty to possession of a shot gun.
- R v JH (2017): The acquittal was secured of a 20-year-old vulnerable defendant, who was accused of repeatedly stabbing a man in the back, in his home.
- R v HS (2017): The defendant was charged with Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm of a 2-year-old. Following defence disclosure requests, the Crown offered no evidence against the defendant, and a not guilt verdict was returned.
- R v AS (2016): Charlotte represented this client who had been charged with Wounding with Intent and firearms offences. After a successful defence submission against an application to adjourn the trial, the Crown offered no evidence and a not guilty verdict was returned.
- R v MG (2016): Led junior counsel. The case involved interfamilial rape and sexual activity with children.
Financial crime
- R v CB (2019): Charlotte represented a defendant who was subject to a Proceeds of Crime application. The crown’s suggested benefit figure was £291,635.00 and available amount was £254,000.00. The matter had not resolved within the two-year permitted period. Upon a successful defence application that this was not an “exceptional circumstances” case, the Crown’s application was rejected and the matter dismissed.
- R v PW (2019): Led junior counsel. The client was charged with fraudulent evasion of duty in the amount of £441,904.50. The case was covered in the Bolton News.
- R v VC (2016): Proceeds of Crime hearing which involved the amount of £177,000.00 being returned to the client.
Podcasts
Videos
Further Information
Inquests
Inquest touching the death of JH (2019): Charlotte represented the family in a four-week inquest at Bolton Coroner’s Court. The inquest was convened following the death of a man who had taken a significant amount of anti-depressant tablets, whilst on remand and HMP Forest Bank, Salford. The jury concluded the decision not to transfer the deceased to hospital once he’d reported taking between 60 – 80 tablets, was a gross failure.
Inquest touching the death of VM (2019): Charlotte acted on behalf of the care home following the death of a resident who suffered internal bleeding as a result of a fractured pelvis. No criticism of the Home was found by the Assistant Coroner.
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