Tim Johnston

Practice Areas

Tim is recognised as a leading junior in all his key areas of work. The directories describe him as “a silk in waiting”, “very insightful and knowledgeable”, “an excellent communicator and advocate” with a “vivid turn of phrase” and “an obvious leader… [and] go to junior.”. His practice spans public law, public international law, civil liberties and EU/Competition law. He has substantial expertise in business and human rights, international environmental law and ESG standards.

He regularly appears in ground-breaking cases such as Pfizer Inc and another v Competition and Markets Authority [2022] UKSC 14; Lungowe and Others v Vedanta Resources Plc [2019] UKSC 20; and “Miller 1” [2017] UKSC 5. In the past few months he has acted for the UK Government before the Supreme Court in the Archie Battersbee case and for the largest claimant group challenging the Government’s policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Tim has particular expertise in climate and environmental matters. He regularly advises and acts for environmental charities, such as ClientEarth, and has advised public authorities in relation to scrappage schemes, low emissions zones, emissions targets and renewable energy.