John Hipkin Q.C.

John Hipkin Q.C.

Year of Call: 1989

Year of Silk: 2020

John is a highly experienced criminal practitioner, who acts for both prosecution and defence, dealing with cases of the utmost gravity and sensitivity, many of which have attracted widespread publicity. The focus of John’s practice has been homicide, serious sexual offences, drugs conspiracies and fraud. He joined 9 Park Place Chambers, Cardiff in September 2020, from Iscoed Chambers, Swansea.

John has a particular specialism in modern day slavery cases and led the prosecution team in the trial of Operation Imperial, which arose from the largest police investigation into modern day slavery in Wales. He is well accustomed to leading a team of lawyers in the presentation of complex cases to a jury. 

John has frequently represented professional or high profile individuals accused of serious crime. These include professional sportsmen and police officers.

John’s expertise has led to him conducting training in POCA and financial crime issues for lawyers and police officers in the Caribbean. John is an accredited pupil supervisor and has been a category 4 prosecutor for over 20 years.

Examples of recent cases

R. v RB – Prosecution of a 17 year old defendant for the brutal murder of his stepmother with an axe and sword;

R. v DJ – Prosecution of a 16 year old defendant for the manslaughter of a pub landlord. The case attracted national publicity;

R. v X – Prosecution of a father for raping his natural daughter and fathering 6 children by her – one of whom he went on to rape. The case involved the control of his victims by the use of a false medium;

R. v C – defence of police officer charged with fraud;

R. v R – defence of police officer charged with rape;

R v JB - defence of main conspirator charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and firearms offences;

R. v E - defence of vulnerable individual tried for large scale fraud conspiracy;

R. v A – defence of nursery nurse accused of child cruelty in her employment.