JOHN HURLOCK · Criminal defence barrister
John Hurlock advises and represents clients in drug cases, from allegations of supply and importation to complex conspiracies, trial and sentencing.
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
His case experience includes challenges to digital evidence, disclosure disputes and defences involving duress and modern slavery.
John represented MM in a substantial multi-defendant trial. The defence challenged whether the evidence proved one overarching agreement. The jury acquitted MM of conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to export ketamine. MM had admitted involvement with cannabis and ketamine; the acquittals concern the two conspiracy counts.
Read case summaryJohn represented K, who was 16 at the time of the alleged offending, in a multi-defendant Class A drugs conspiracy. Supported by expert evidence and safeguarding findings, the defence challenged the decision to prosecute a child identified as a victim of criminal exploitation. The prosecution offered no evidence and a not-guilty verdict was entered.
View caseJohn represented N in a large-scale Class A and Class B drugs prosecution. The defence reviewed covert recordings that the Crown had not relied on. In cross-examination, the officer conceded that the recordings did not connect N to either the Essex or Holland end of the conspiracy. N was acquitted following a retrial.
View caseFollowing guilty pleas to drug trafficking offences and conspiracies, John contested the Crown’s claimed benefit of over £20.9 million. The court rejected the alleged hidden assets and determined the benefit at £350,000 — more than £20.6 million below the figure sought. This was a confiscation result following conviction, not an acquittal.
View caseAfter guilty pleas to drug-supply conspiracies and acquiring criminal property, John successfully challenged the role alleged by the prosecution at a Newton hearing. His client was sentenced on the accepted defence basis. In subsequent contested confiscation proceedings involving UK and overseas property, vehicles and bank funds, no money or assets were confiscated. These results concern sentencing and confiscation, not an acquittal.
View caseA defendant faced drug-supply and criminal-property charges. The defence presented records of abuse and expert evidence about modern slavery and exploitation. The jury returned unanimous not-guilty verdicts.
Read case summaryTHE PRACTICE
A drug allegation can put your freedom, family and livelihood under pressure. His work covers possession with intent to supply, importation and complex conspiracies, as well as trial, sentencing and related confiscation proceedings.
His experience includes EncroChat cases, disputed phone and cell-site evidence, and legal arguments about disclosure. He has also represented defendants raising duress and modern-slavery issues.
Representation in allegations involving Class A and Class B drugs, including cases with multiple defendants.
His work includes EncroChat trials and advice about EncroChat and Sky ECC material, including cases with an international dimension.
Challenging disputed evidence, pursuing disclosure and presenting relevant expert evidence where coercion or exploitation is relevant to the defence.
Voluntary interviews, attendance following arrest and advice during an investigation. Evening and weekend attendance is offered, with availability confirmed by the clerks.
Representation at trial and sentencing, with advice on the options available in your case.
His wider experience covers serious crime, firearms, sexual offences, homicide, appeals and road traffic offences. See all areas of expertise for more detail.
SOLICITOR FEEDBACK
1 of 2
BEFORE YOU ENQUIRE
Yes. His experience includes EncroChat trials and legal arguments about the use of digital evidence and disclosure. In R v LM, EncroChat material was excluded following legal argument. The result in any other case depends on its facts and evidence.
Read the EncroChat case summaryYes. His practice includes sentencing in drug cases and related confiscation proceedings. His work includes disputes about a defendant’s role in a conspiracy and representation in the Court of Appeal on sentence.
Read the sentencing case summaryYou can email him directly or contact his clerks, without a solicitor. He will assess whether Direct Access is suitable for your case. He is a registered litigator and can provide litigation services alongside advice and advocacy where agreed. He will explain the scope and responsibilities before accepting instructions.
Understand Direct AccessTHE NEXT STEP
Email him directly about your case or call the clerks at 2 Bedford Row. Evening and weekend attendance is offered, with availability and fees confirmed when arranging instructions.
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
His case experience includes challenges to digital evidence, disclosure disputes and defences involving duress and modern slavery.
John represented MM in a substantial multi-defendant trial. The defence challenged whether the evidence proved one overarching agreement. The jury acquitted MM of conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to export ketamine. MM had admitted involvement with cannabis and ketamine; the acquittals concern the two conspiracy counts.
Read case summaryJohn represented K, who was 16 at the time of the alleged offending, in a multi-defendant Class A drugs conspiracy. Supported by expert evidence and safeguarding findings, the defence challenged the decision to prosecute a child identified as a victim of criminal exploitation. The prosecution offered no evidence and a not-guilty verdict was entered.
View caseJohn represented N in a large-scale Class A and Class B drugs prosecution. The defence reviewed covert recordings that the Crown had not relied on. In cross-examination, the officer conceded that the recordings did not connect N to either the Essex or Holland end of the conspiracy. N was acquitted following a retrial.
View caseFollowing guilty pleas to drug trafficking offences and conspiracies, John contested the Crown’s claimed benefit of over £20.9 million. The court rejected the alleged hidden assets and determined the benefit at £350,000 — more than £20.6 million below the figure sought. This was a confiscation result following conviction, not an acquittal.
View caseAfter guilty pleas to drug-supply conspiracies and acquiring criminal property, John successfully challenged the role alleged by the prosecution at a Newton hearing. His client was sentenced on the accepted defence basis. In subsequent contested confiscation proceedings involving UK and overseas property, vehicles and bank funds, no money or assets were confiscated. These results concern sentencing and confiscation, not an acquittal.
View caseA defendant faced drug-supply and criminal-property charges. The defence presented records of abuse and expert evidence about modern slavery and exploitation. The jury returned unanimous not-guilty verdicts.
Read case summaryTHE PRACTICE
A drug allegation can put your freedom, family and livelihood under pressure. His work covers possession with intent to supply, importation and complex conspiracies, as well as trial, sentencing and related confiscation proceedings.
His experience includes EncroChat cases, disputed phone and cell-site evidence, and legal arguments about disclosure. He has also represented defendants raising duress and modern-slavery issues.
Representation in allegations involving Class A and Class B drugs, including cases with multiple defendants.
His work includes EncroChat trials and advice about EncroChat and Sky ECC material, including cases with an international dimension.
Challenging disputed evidence, pursuing disclosure and presenting relevant expert evidence where coercion or exploitation is relevant to the defence.
Voluntary interviews, attendance following arrest and advice during an investigation. Evening and weekend attendance is offered, with availability confirmed by the clerks.
Representation at trial and sentencing, with advice on the options available in your case.
His wider experience covers serious crime, firearms, sexual offences, homicide, appeals and road traffic offences. See all areas of expertise for more detail.
SOLICITOR FEEDBACK
1 of 2
BEFORE YOU ENQUIRE
Yes. His experience includes EncroChat trials and legal arguments about the use of digital evidence and disclosure. In R v LM, EncroChat material was excluded following legal argument. The result in any other case depends on its facts and evidence.
Read the EncroChat case summaryYes. His practice includes sentencing in drug cases and related confiscation proceedings. His work includes disputes about a defendant’s role in a conspiracy and representation in the Court of Appeal on sentence.
Read the sentencing case summaryYou can email him directly or contact his clerks, without a solicitor. He will assess whether Direct Access is suitable for your case. He is a registered litigator and can provide litigation services alongside advice and advocacy where agreed. He will explain the scope and responsibilities before accepting instructions.
Understand Direct AccessEmail him directly or call the clerks at 2 Bedford Row with a brief outline of your case.
Evening and weekend attendance is offered. For availability and fees, contact the clerks.
