Criminal
Benjamin Myers KC is a leading criminal silk. Described as ‘brilliant’, ‘extremely astute’ ‘an exceptionally gifted lawyer – a fearsome advocate,’ with ‘an exceptional ability to digest complex cases’, he appears in courts across the country and is ranked at the top of his field in crime and financial crime in Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession and in the Legal 500. He has been shortlisted as the Legal 500 Crime Silk of the Year 2022.
Ben handles cases in all areas of the criminal law including murder, manslaughter, high value fraud, money laundering, multimillion-pound confiscation under POCA, regulatory offences, drug trafficking, national and international organised crime, rape and historic sexual abuse. He deals with prosecutions by the CPS, the SFO, the OFT and other agencies and regulatory bodies. He is experienced in leading large teams in substantial, complex and sensitive cases, many of which have a high public profile. He has huge experience as a criminal trial advocate and appellate advocate, and is described as ‘an excellent lawyer with great courtroom skills’, who has ‘an excellent rapport with juries.’
Recent cases include the defence of David Duckenfield, the police match commander at the Hillsborough Stadium tragedy, tried for gross negligence manslaughter; Operation Lunar, an investigation by HMRC into a £330 million tax fraud; and R v Barton, the leading Court of Appeal authority defining the test for dishonesty in English criminal law. He is currently representing Lucy Letby, a nurse accused of multiple offences of murder and attempted murder, in proceedings before the Crown Court.
Ben is highly regarded for his ‘meticulous preparation’ and his ability to formulate astute case strategy. He can be relied upon to ‘put clients at their ease’ and is attuned to the pressures upon them; whether that is because of their public status, the risk to their assets, their vulnerability and mental health, or more generally the impact of criminal proceedings on their personal or professional life. He has represented company directors, financial directors, investment managers, police officers, teachers, medical practitioners and public figures.
Ben is able to provide advice at all stages of proceedings, including pre-charge; challenging prosecutions from the earliest stages and thereafter. His work includes judicial review, privacy and media-related applications in the context of criminal law. He has a wide experience of appellate work and provides advice and representation on appeal.
Ben undertakes both legally aided and privately funded work.
Called 1994; QC 2014