John Harding (Regulatory)

John is listed as a leader in his field in crime, fraud and professional discipline (Chambers 2012). He is described as “a very strong lawyer” and wins considerable market acclaim for his “down to earth approach and “good client care”. 

John undertakes general crime and police station advice, specialising particularly in relation to allegations of serious assaults, offences of a sexual nature and those relating to child abuse/abuse of positions of trust. Recently, John represented the Swiss Re executive accused of murdering his young daughter, culminating in a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.  He also recently represented a Russian student from an affluent Russian family in relation to an allegation of gang rape at Woolwich Crown Court.

John also represents clients in relation to all forms of serious fraud and business crime prosecuted by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and other government agencies.

John has recently acted for:

• a high net worth Kenyan national in relation to an allegation of fraud which was, following representations, discontinued. 
• a former Chief Executive of a property company in relation to the break-up of the MG Rover Group and the resulting Companies Act Inquiry.

John heads up the Professional Discipline and Regulatory department at Kingsley Napley which acts for the following regulators:

• Health and Care Professions Council;
• General Optical Council;
• General Dental Council;
• Security Industry Authority;
• Teaching Agency;
• Chief Police Officer’s Staff Association;
• Actuarial Profession; and
• Accountancy and Actuarial Discipline Board.

Of note, John has represented police officers in relation to both Stockwell Inquiries and the resulting Inquest in relation to John Charles de Menezes. 

John also acted for the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire in relation to a misconduct hearing and the Chief Constable of Cleveland in relation to allegations of corruption and misconduct in a public office.  

John read law at Brunel University and qualified as a solicitor in 1988.   After undertaking work in a firm in Uxbridge specialising in criminal law, he joined Kingsley Napley LLP in 1990 and became a partner in 1995.

What is said about John

• “personable nature and conciseness which clients really appreciate”.
• “Excellent judgment…..has his feet firmly on the ground”.
• “The one I would turn to if I was in trouble”.
• “Harding draws respect from peers for being exceptionally thorough in his work: he covers all of the bases all of the time”.

Professional Societies

• The Law Society
• London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association (LCCSA)
• The Criminal Law Solicitors Association (CLSA)
• Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL)
• Solicitors Association of High Court Advocates (SAHCA)