Exchange Chambers barristers appointed as silks

January 12, 2016

Nick Johnson and David Mohyuddin from Exchange Chambers have been appointed Queen’s Counsel (QC).

The two barristers are among 107 new Silks appointed by the Queen following consideration by an independent selection panel.

Nick Johnson, who is based in Leeds, was called to the Bar in 1994.  He specialises in criminal fraud and associated commercial, financial and regulatory work. Nick has considerable experience of large scale prosecutions brought by specialist UK agencies throughout the country and equivalent actions abroad, including European investigations and US corporate fraud proceedings brought by the US DOJ/SEC. He is described by clients in practitioner guides as “a class act”, “tactically phenomenal” and “fantastically focussed” yet also a “personable operator” who takes a practical approach. As a junior barrister, he was ranked by Chambers UK at Band 1 for Financial Crime, one of only a handful in the country.

Nick is increasingly instructed at an early stage in investigations to give strategic guidance pre-charge and also, in relation for example to Bribery Act/FCPA compliance work, to advise on preventative measures. He has also developed an extradition and asylum practice, having represented UK and CIS nationals.  Alongside his fraud specialism, Nick continues to act for individuals charged with serious and organised criminal offences, from murder to large drugs conspiracies. He is also skilled at appellate work, having appeared twice in the House of Lords.

David Mohyuddin, who is based in Manchester, was called to the Bar in 1999.  He has conducted commercial litigation with an emphasis on insolvency, insolvency-related litigation, company and commercial fraud matters since he started in practice. His expertise presently covers all types of insolvency work; company and shareholder disputes; banking and asset recovery; commercial litigation including commercial fraud; professional negligence and sports law.

David has appeared in the Court of Appeal in Utilise TDS Limited v Davies & Bolton College [2014] EWCA Civ 906 for one of the respondents in the Court of Appeal when three cases were heard together and fresh guidance was issued on the way in which CPR 3.9 was to be applied on applications for relief from sanction, following the decision in Mitchell v News Group Newspapers Ltd. (Reported as Denton v TH White Ltd and other appeals.) He has also appeared twice in the Court of Appeal in 2015, including in Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills v PLT Anti-Marketing Ltd [2015] EWCA Civ 76.  Recognised as a leader in his field by both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK, he is described as “superb on this feet, very bright and highly commended for commercial matters”.

Commenting on their appointments, Tom Handley, Director of Chambers at Exchange Chambers, said:

“We are delighted for Nick and David.  Their appointments are well deserved and demonstrate that they have met the extremely high standards required across all the legal competencies.  We are delighted to start 2016 on such a positive note.”

Exchange Chambers has a strong track record in developing barristers practices, including leading them to silk. The Set now has 16 QCs in total.

The Lord Chancellor will preside over the QC appointment ceremony at Westminster Hall on 22 February 2016.