NLJ PROFILE: Christopher Johnston QC

Leading clinical negligence practitioner Christopher Johnston QC, of Serjeants' Inn, is the editor of the new edition of Medical Treatment: Decisions and the Law.

What was your route into the profession?

Growing up no-one in our circle of family or friends in Northern Ireland were at the Bar or in the law. Yet from early in my teenage years I was set on a career as a barrister. I put this down to the influence of my mum who I think saw that my skill set of arts, maths and drama would fit a career at the Bar. She exposed me to key legal training in the form of the TV series: the Paper Chase, LA Law and Crown Court. Granada’s Crown Court was a staple for any lunchtime off school and I even went so far as to buy the iconic Simon Park Orchestra theme tune as a vinyl single. Following my family’s move to Hampshire, I entered the Bar via a law degree, Bar School and a pupillage at my current chambers, Serjeants’ Inn. I warmed to Serjeants’ Inn because of the unusually approachable nature of its barristers and the dedicated staff.

What has been your biggest career challenge so far?

The significant tactical, legal and organisational difficulties in being involved as both junior and senior counsel in a number of large class actions has proven the biggest challenge. In terms of one specific case, acting as sole counsel for the Ministry of Defence in the first full Deepcut inquest was a very significant logistical and forensic challenge. For the last four years I have enjoyed the challenge of co-chairing the Professional Negligence Bar Association annual Clinical Negligence weekend.

Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?

The late great Philip Naughton QC from Serjeants’ Inn inspired me the most. He was ahead of his time in fully embracing (and then leading) the world of mediation and in using the most up to date technology to analyse the complex cases he argued.  Further and more importantly, he showed the selfless aspect of leadership often present at the Bar, devoting thousands of hours in his drive to modernise and lead Chambers. Within the current legal profession, Lady Hale inspires me with her clarity of thought and succinct, humane take on complex cases.

If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?

An astronaut, as when I was not watching legal dramas, I was glued to the Apollo missions, Space 1999 and Blake’s 7.  Failing that, a professional photographer or script writer.

Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?

Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mocking Bird, a clichéd choice I know, but I admire him as a dad and as a fearless advocate, willing to fight a case despite the stigma it would provoke in his society. I also loved Professor Kingsfield, as played by John Houseman in the Paper Chase, and George Hautecout, the jolly elderly lawyer in the Aristocats (easily the best Disney film).

What change would you make to the profession?

I would transform recruitment. First, I would reduce the scandalous mismatch between the large numbers who pay vast sums to train for a Bar vocational course and the far smaller numbers who end up practising as barristers. I would achieve this by tying education to pupillage so that only those who have secured a pupillage would then have to shell out for the vocational educational element. I would also ensure the training was provided in parallel with the course—because so much of the vocational training is meaningless without seeing it applied in practice. Secondly, this would have to be coupled with opening up the profession to a more diverse range of recruits who are truly reflective of the society we serve. This would require a truly radical overhaul of how all chambers approach the award of pupillages.

How do you relax?

I am player/manager for a veteran five-a-side football team in Chiswick. I watch West Wing on a near continuous loop. I love rugby, photography and travel.  My holidays with my family are sacrosanct.