Simon is an award winning Solicitor and Higher Courts Advocate specialising in crime and human rights related work. He is consistently rated as a leading lawyer in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.
Simon was named 2016 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year in the field of criminal defence and was short-listed for the 2012 Law Society Excellence Award for Solicitor-Advocate of the year.
His work encompasses serious crime, counter-terrorism, protest, regulatory work, judicial review, professional misconduct, public inquiries and criminal appeals. He has a proven track record in conducting the most challenging and complex cases . These have often included important human rights issues, including freedom of expression, or legal questions of public importance. Many have made national news headlines. He is regarded as a leading expert on the law of protest and has defended numerous activists charged with offences such as aggravated trespass, public nuisance and criminal damage over many years of practice in this field.
Simon acted for the campaign group JENGbA in the historic Supreme Court appeal of R v Jogee, which resulted in far reaching reform to the controversial law of joint enterprise. He has frequently been asked to comment on issues surrounding the joint enterprise law in the media. He has acted in many joint enterprise homicide cases, both as a litigator and an advocate. In 2018, he acted in R v Crilly [2018] EWCA Crim 168, to date the only historic murder conviction to be overturned on the basis of the change in the law in Jogee.
Simon has contributed articles to the Guardian, Westlaw Insight and Legal Voice and his many media appearances include Newsnight, Sky News and Radio 4’s legal discussion programme, Unreliable Evidence.
“Simon Natas is thoroughly involved in his cases, which involve important matters of human rights and public interest, and knows them inside out”
Legal 500 2025
“Simon is an exceptional solicitor. He is technically rigorous, extremely smart and conscientious.”
“I am continually amazed by how competent, intelligent and kind Mr Natas is. He always takes time to listen and explain”
Chambers Guide 2025
Prominent Cases
- R v Jogee [2016] UKSC 8: Acted for grassroots campaign group, JENGbA as intervener in historic Supreme Court case which reversed over thirty years of case law on joint enterprise.
- R v Richardson and Wilkinson [2014] UKSC 8: Supreme Court appeal determining the meaning of “lawful activity” for the purposes of the offence of aggravated trespass
- R v Mateta [2013] All ER (D) 19: Asylum seeker’s conviction for possession of false passport quashed
- R v Garwood and others [2017] All ER (D) 177: Power to certify a point of law of general importance for consideration of Supreme Court where leave to appeal was refused.
- R v Crilly [2018] EWCA Crim 168: Successful appeal against conviction, to date the only historic murder conviction to be overturned on the basis of the change in the law in Jogee
- R v Johnson and others [2016] All ER (D) 13: Acted for JENGbA as intervener in Court of Appeal cases following Jogee , definition of “substantial injustice” in change of law cases.
- Breen v Esso Petroleum Ltd [2022] EWCA Civ 1405: challenge to sanction imposed for contempt of court on behalf of environmental protester
- D v DPP [2011] WLR 882: Widely reported appeal by way of case stated, dealing with powers of officers to detain and definition of “execution of duty”
- Harvey v DPP [2012] 176 JP 265: Successful appeal against conviction on behalf of defendant charged with offence under s.5 Public order Act after swearing at police officers.
- Bennett and others v DPP[2022] EWHC 1822 (Admin): challenge to lawfulness of section 14 conditions imposed during the XR “April Rebellion” in 2019
- Roblyn v DPP [2021] EWHC 3055 (Admin): Environmental protester’s conviction under s.241 Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 quashed
- R (DPP) v Highbury Corner Magistrates Court [2022] EWHC 3207 (Admin); Judicial review challenge to the acquittals of the Euston Tunnellers.
- Jockey Club Racecourses Ltd v Kidby [2023] EWHC 2643 (Ch): defence of animal rights protest in contempt proceedings arising from protest at the Epsom Derby
- R v WI and AW (2024) – Sheffield Crown Court: Conspiracy to Supply Class A and B drugs
- R v MH (2024) – Westminster Magistrates Court; s.13 Terrorism Act
- R v EF (2023) - Central Criminal Court: Murder
- R v DA (2022) – Central Criminal Court: Joint Enterprise homicide
- R v AD (2021) – Central Criminal Court: s.1, 2 Terrorism Act 2006
- R v QX (2021) – Nottingham Crown Court: Breach of Temporary Exclusion Order imposed under Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015
- R v MC (2018) – Sheffield Crown Court: Joint enterprise homicide
- R v RTM (2016) – Luton Crown Court: Joint enterprise homicide
- R v BG (2016) – Southwark Crown Court: former solicitor acquitted of perverting the course of justice after alleging serious corruption on the part of police officers
- R v AP (2024) - Inner London Crown Court: High value criminal damage caused in XR protest at investment bank;
- R v LJ: (2024) – Southwark Crown Court: Criminal damage to Scotland Yard revolving sign, acquitted
- R v NO: (2024) – Aylesbury Crown Court: Public Nuisance, JSO M25 gantries action
- R v SB and others (2024) – Highbury Corner Magistrates Court: aggravated trespass, “Euston tunnels” case
- R v EF (2024) Westminster Magistrates Court (2024): client acquitted of breaching s.14 Public order Act at widely publicised “Oily Money” environmental protests
- R v OE (2024) Westminster Magistrates Court: JSO “slow walkers” acquitted after s.12 conditions ruled unlawful
- R v LC (2023) Westminster Magistrates Court: acted for organiser of multiple protests during Covid lockdown, successful “lawful excuse” defence
- R v SR and others (2023) – High Wycombe Magistrates Court: multiple HS2 protesters acquitted of aggravated trespass after three day trial
- R v MT (2023) – Inner London Crown Court: Public Nuisance, Insulate Britain M25 action