Annie Johnston

Experience
Annie Johnston is a leading junior, has been 'recommended in crime' for many years in the Chambers and Partners Directory, and is widely regarded as being one of the most able and formidable jury advocates on the London and South Eastern circuits.

She was recently described as being “an extremely astute woman indeed” by one of her clients at the conclusion of a long running trial. Click the following links to the story and quotes:

1. BBC News
2. Daily Mail
3. Heretical Sex Blog

Other clients have praised her “pro-active and forensic” approach and “friendly, down to earth manner.”

Whilst building her practice and reputation she gained extensive experience within all aspects of general criminal law of the utmost gravity. However, latterly she has been instructed to defend in high profile fraud cases predominantly. Recent matters include MTIC, Carousel and Advance fee frauds. She has also successfully defended cases involving corruption; young defendants accused of murder; perverting the course of justice; serious armed robberies, large-scale importations and human trafficking.

Her practice focuses on fraud with an emphasis on MTIC, serious organised crime, money laundering and regulatory disciplinary tribunal work.

Current cases

R v X
Murder trial: Central Criminal Court

Operation Exhort - 'Cash for crash' scam
Fraud: Successfully defended a multi-million pound mortgage fraud conspiracy with 80 defendants.

R v Gill (Operation Robot)
Conspiracy: Multi-handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

R V X (Operation Hayrick)
Fraud: Defending in  MTIC fraud.

Notable cases

R v Kustar
Importation: Represented defendant on the largest consignment of 360 kilos of heroin into the UK.

R v Gill (Operation Guiness) 2009
Importation: Multi handed Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

R v Mahmood 2009
Fraud: Represented defendant on huge multiple mortgage frauds. All defendants acquitted of conspiracy charges.

R v Otis Ferry 2009
Perverting the Course of Justice:  Extremely high profile case involving the defendant on charges of perverting the course of justice.

R v Gordon 2008
Murder: Represented defendant on gangland shooting in retribution for the Shakespeare killings.

R v Stromberg 2008
Represented defendant on importation of 380 kilos of Cocaine from Venezuela.

R v Mason 2008 
Murder: Represented young defendant on a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court.

R v Kujo 2008 
Murder: Represented defendant on a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court.

R v Walsh 2007
Perverting the Course of Justice:  Represented defendant charged with extremely serious offence of perverting the course of justice in gangland murder trial involving the Essex Boys.

R v Keogh & O'Connor 2007
Official Secrets Act:  Very high profile case involving defendant who faced charges under the Official Secrets Act, trial held in camera at the Central Criminal Court.

Paul Browne v General Medical Council 2007
Fraud: Represented dentist before the GDC involving a NHS fraud of over £100,000.

R v Martinez 2007
Importation: Represented Columbian Cartel allegedly importing vast amounts of cocaine into the UK via aeroplanes.

R v Blackwell 2007 Court of Appeal (reported)
Represented the defendant at the court of appeal on a pro bono basis, as a result of the Court of Appeals decision am now advising the Government on the law on anonymity.

R v Kafithas 2007
Fraud: Represented defendant for evasions of duty by making false declarations to the effect that garments were being imported for processing and subsequent export outside the EU involving I.P.R. and O.P R.

R v Crowe 2006 Court of Appeal
Serious fraud: Represented defendant in MTIC fraud relating to mobile telephones

R v Peter Foster 2006 Court of Appeal
Fraud: High profile case whereby defendant who was extradited back from Australia to face serious fraud charges relating to slimming products and the page three pin up Samantha Fox. Went on to represent same defendant relating matters relating to Cherie Blair.

R v Varian
VAT Fraud: Represented company secretary in serious VAT fraud.

R v Dominguez 2005 Southwark Crown Court
Money laundering: Arising from activities of a Columbian cocaine conspiracy, at the time said by the Crown to be the largest trial ever prosecuted.

R v Morton 2005 Old Bailey
Murder:  High profile case involving wealthy architect who was accused of murdering his estranged wife who disappeared in Kensington, body not found.

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