Jonathan Black

Having briefly practised at the bar, Jonathan re-qualified as a solicitor in 1995 and attained Rights of Audience allowing him to appear before the Higher Courts. Jonathan regularly appears as an a solicitor advocate in the Crown Court both as Junior Counsel and in his own right.  He has appeared before both the Court of Appeal, and in the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court.

Jonathan has a reputation as a tenacious advocate, with extensive experience in dealing with criminal matters, in particular including crimes of a serious and violent nature. His approach is client-focused and he believes, where appropriate, in providing a complete service, where he deals with the case from start to finish in the Crown Court. Where special counsel is needed he chooses with care.

He has a pool of loyal clients who instruct him regularly and refer him onto others. His calm and relaxed approach is a great advantage to clients.

He describes the honour of being the last solicitor to ever appear before Bow Street Magistrates court as the most memorable moment of his legal career.

Jonathan also specialises in extradition law, regularly appearing at City of Westminster Magistrates Court. He represents clients faced with international arrest warrants, and he prepares appeals against Orders made by the Magistrates Court. Jonathan founded the LCCSA extradition group and was a co–author of the group’s representations to the Home Office review.

He has an in-depth knowledge of Magistrates Court procedure and was a lecturer in Criminal and Civil Litigation at Kingsway College, London. Jonathan has also presented to the local bench on the role of the solicitor in the Magistrate’s courts.

Jonathan is a committee member of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association, member of SAHCA and Liberty and represents defence practitioners on the Court Users Committee.

A school governor, Jonathan has a special interest in representing parents who face prosecution under the Education Act for failing to secure their children’s attendance at school.

Notable cases –

R v KS – junior counsel at Southwark Crown court in two month trial of an accountant accused of a multi million pound revenue fraud .

R v O – Junior counsel at Croydon Crown Court in two month trial of defendant acquitted of rioting at detention centre.

R v P - Advocate for scout master accused of conducting underage sexual relationships. Successfully argued that the dangerousness provisions ought not to apply.

R v U – Advocate for young defendant charged with 12 others of supplying drugs to undercover police in east London, part of a large operation. The only defendant to receive a non - custodial term.

R v - Advocate for a young defendant accused of supplying cannabis from a shop, persuaded crown court judge to impose a referral order.

R v S – Advocate for mentally ill defendant accused of setting fire to hostel room. Acquitted of accusation of Arson with intent to endanger life.

Germany v B – Acted for an Albanian National extradited to Germany for murder. The defendant always maintained that he was in UK at the relevant time. Appealed and the German authorities agreed to withdraw their warrant.

R v TC – Acted for young person accused of a random attack and murder of surgeon in St. James’ park central London.

R v IM – Acted for young person accused of gang related murder of member of rival gang in busy Camden street.

R v L – Acted for the young defendant acquitted of participating in gang related sexual assault in a greater London railway station.

R v D – Acted in the successful defence of a prison psychiatric nurse accused of stealing pharmaceuticals from prison.

R v M – successfully defended a government civil servant accused of downloading child pornography from the internet.

Exp Parte J – successful Judicial review against tower Bridge Magistrates Court decision to try a defendant unrepresented.

Barnfather v LB Islington – appeal to the High Court by way of case stated in respect of the liability of a mother whose child refused to attend school.