Zoe Johnson KC

Practice Areas

Zoe Johnson KC is a pre-eminent criminal Silk, recognised for her mastery of the most serious homicide and terrorism cases. With 11 years as Treasury Counsel, including four as Senior Treasury Counsel, and a decade as a Crown Court Recorder, she has vast experience in matters demanding the highest levels of judgment and advocacy. Zoe has been instructed in some of the UK’s most challenging homicide trials, including serial killings, “honour killings,” and cases involving child victims and vulnerable witnesses. She prosecuted serial killer Anthony Russell and appeared in landmark cases such as R v Tania Clarence and R v Dixie.

Zoe is particularly noted for her expertise in complex medical and psychiatric issues. Since the seminal R v Harris & Others (on “shaken baby syndrome”), she has become a leading advocate in medico-legal homicide work, with repeated instructions in contested diminished responsibility and insanity cases. She has also been central to key medical gross negligence manslaughter decisions of recent decades, including Bawa-Garba, Rudling and Honey Rose.

Zoe has considerable experience in terrorism law. She was instructed in the first UK terrorist fundraising case (R v Oumerzouk) and advised in the Gary McKinnon hacking case. Most recently, she advised in relation to Palestine Action. Known for her clarity, forensic skill and calm authority, Zoe is recognised as one of the market’s most formidable advocates.