Leon-Nathan Lynch

Pupil

Leon specialises in the defence of serious crime including murder, firearms and drug offences. Having previously worked for the Serious Fraud Office, Leon has now appeared as defence counsel in number of SFO prosecutions and has also accumulated a specialism in defending frauds.

Leon is a hardworking, versatile and dedicated advocate whose client care and rapport with all court users is widely recognised. His understanding of the law, persuasive advocacy and ability to charm a jury has been recognised by various members of the judiciary.

With a particular interest in gang-related violence, Leon has represented several high profile rap and drill artists. Such artists include Harlem Spartan member Loski, Headie One, several artists from 1011 and the well-known ‘Boy Better Know’ collective.

He has excellent experience within public inquiries having worked for two years in the Dame Linda Dobbs Review which investigated a Lloyd’s Bank handling of the HBOS Reading incident

Leon is regularly instructed in private driving matters.

Humanitarian Projects

Leon is passionate about ensuring the access to justice and due process for the most vulnerable in society. He has been involved in various international humanitarian projects including FGM prevention in Kenya; social integration of the Romani community in Albania; HIV community support in South Africa and Tsunami relief in The Philippines.

Appointments

Elected member of South Eastern Circuit Executive Committee.

Publications

The Oxford Textbook on Criminology 2^nd Edition.

Professional Memberships

The Criminal Bar Association;
South Eastern Circuit;
Young Fraud Lawyers Association and
The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn.

Led Junior

R (SFO) v PS & Others (Southwark Crown Court) - Assisted Simon Pentol QC in securing the acquittal of a former director of the international freight-forwarders FH Bertling on two counts of bribery. The five-year investigation concerned the procurement of a £16m North Sea Oil freight-forwarding contract and a separate side agreement to facilitate an overcharging arrangement.

Junior Alone

R v RT (Worchester Crown Court) - The defendant was accused, with others, of conducting a prison mutiny. The defendant was said to have started the mutiny when he attacked a prison officer with a snooker cue. The mutiny lasted several hours, cost tens of thousands of pounds in damage and was eventually quashed with the assistance of 120 riot officers. The defendant was acquitted.
R v TWT (Woolwich Crown Court) - The defendant was accused of two separate drugs offences. The Crown chose to try both offences within the same trial. The defendant was said to be in possession of class A drugs and weapons on each occasion. The defendant was acquitted for both matters.
R v XH (Inner London Crown Court) - The defendant was accused of being involved in the fraudulent evasion of custom and duty tax on hand-rolled tobacco. In an investigation conducted by HMRC, the defendant was alleged to be involved in the operation which had evaded in excess of £750,000 of duty and tax. The defendant was acquitted.
R v AS (Woolwich Crown Court) - The defendant was accused of running a sophisticated cannabis factory from within his home. A large amount of cannabis was seized from his address by the police. On two previous occasions, the defendant had been convicted of cultivating cannabis at the same address. The defendant was acquitted.
R v ZM (Harrow Crown Court) - It was alleged that a police officer saw the defendant discard a knife after the defendant failed to stop at the request of several officers. A knife was located in close proximity to where the defendant had previously been standing. The defendant was acquitted.
R v DR (St Albans Crown Court) - The defendant was acquitted of three counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, one count of possession with intent to supply a class B drug and one count of possession of criminal property valued in the amount of £9,479.55. The drugs and money were found hidden in various places within the defendant’s room and bathroom.
R v HB (St Albans Crown Court) – The defendant was charged with possession with intent to supply class B after he made admissions to the police that he was an active drug dealer when arrested. Following a successful section 78 application, the evidence was excluded and the prosecution offered no evidence.
R v GM (Isleworth Crown Court) - The defendant was acquitted after being observed by three officers making a suspicious hand-to-hand transaction with an unidentified male in tinted windowed car. The officers pursued the defendant who was eventually apprehended with the female co-defendant. When searched, the co-defendant was found with 49 individual wraps of cocaine concealed within her knickers.
R v ME (Maidstone Crown Court) - It was alleged that the defendant, with another was involved in a series of high value thefts against BT valued circa £50,000. The defendant was acquitted.