John Harding

John represents individuals in relation to all areas of crime including 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.

He 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 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), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other government agencies.

He also acts for members of the Chief Police Officers Staff Association (CPOSA) providing regulatory and criminal advice including representation at inquest for senior police officers.

Cases of note

• represented Swiss Re executive charged with murdering his 18 month old daughter
• represented a Russian student from an affluent family, charged with sexual assault.
• represented a number of high profile individuals investigated in relation to historic sex abuse by Operation Yewtree
• represented a member of the clergy in relation to allegations of historic sex abuse

Serious fraud and business crime

• 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.
• a number of individuals in relation to the LIBOR investigation by the FCA/SFO

​CPOSA advice and representation

• represented the command team of the Metropolitan Police in relation to the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes
• represented police officers in relation to both Stockwell Inquiries and the resulting Inquest in relation to the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes
• represented Sir Norman Bettison in relation to matters arising from the Lawrence inquiry
• represented Chief Constables of Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Cleveland in relation to allegations of corruption and misconduct in public office and disciplinary issues
• represented a number of senior officers in relation to Operation Kalmia

What Clients and Directories have said

"...well known and highly regarded" John Harding is praised for "his excellent judgement" and abilities in representing high-profile individuals. Commentators say: "He is a super lawyer - he has a great lawyer's mind and he instils a confidence in his clients. He really cares about what he is doing, which is apparent when you work with him...”

Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2016

“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 and memberships

• The Law Society
• European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA)
• 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)