Region Area

Barristers

Lyndon Harris

Lyndon Harris

Position

Lyndon accepts instructions in general crime, corporate crime and public law and regularly acts for both the prosecution and the defence. He is regularly instructed to represent individuals, companies, and government departments both in litigation and in a purely advisory capacity.

He frequently provides advice at the early stages of proceedings at a stage where important strategic decisions can influence the ultimate outcome. He is equally comfortable advising on, and conducting, complex legal arguments as he is with advising on, and taking, strategic decisions in complex and serious litigation.

Crime

Lyndon prosecutes and defends in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) and accepts instructions across a full range of criminal work.

He prosecuted on behalf of the NCA, CPS and others. Recent prosecution instructions include cases of murder, manslaughter, fraud and money laundering, firearms, serious non-fatal violence and the supply of Class A drugs.

Recent defence instructions include cases involving offences of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, rape and other serious sexual offences (including involving children), robbery, serious violence, human trafficking and cases of neglect resulting in death.

In relation to prosecution instructions, he is experienced in cases involving highly sensitive material and PII. When acting for the defence, he is experienced in making targeted section 8 applications for disclosure.

Additionally, he has experience advising on issues surrounding legal professional privilege including at a pre-charge stage and acting as independent counsel.

He has also provided ad hoc advice to Jonathan Hall QC in his role as the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation.

Financial Crime

Lyndon accepts instructions in financial crime matters in respect of individuals and corporations. Instructions include acting for corporations in internal investigations, investigations conducted by an investigating authority and where criminal proceedings have begun. Current instructions include large-scale international money laundering involving the engagement of sanctions legislation, ‘boiler room’ fraud and conspiracy to defraud.

He is adept at marshalling large volumes of material quickly and effectively and is instructed both as sole junior and led junior in a range of cases involving financial crime, both where court proceedings have been commenced, and at the early stages of an investigation.

He acts in a range of Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 matters, both following conviction in relation to Part II of the Act (including at the enforcement stage) and in relation to the civil powers in Part V of the Act. Recent instructions have included cases involving applications for account freezing orders (R. (National Crime Agency) v Westminster Magistrates’ Court [2022] EWHC 2631 (Admin)), confiscation orders where the benefit figure runs to many millions and the enforcement of such orders.

Public and Civil Law

Lyndon also accepts instructions in matters where public and criminal law intersect. His recent instructions in judicial review cases involving unlawful detention, prisoner transfer agreements and decisions of prosecuting authorities and criminal courts. Additionally, he is instructed in cases involving civil proceeds of crime matters (such as those concerning account freezing orders), sanctions and regulatory matters.

Advisory Work

Lyndon is frequently instructed to advise individuals and corporations on a range of matters, including criminal (where proceedings are live and where they are contemplated), regulatory matters and civil matters where there is an intersection with the criminal law.

He is adept at providing clear and concise advice in a timely manner, with a focus on a quick identification of the real issues and considered practical advice tailored to the client’s needs and priorities.

Career

Prior to joining Chambers, Lyndon spent four years as a lawyer at the Law Commission of England and Wales. He was principally responsible for the Sentencing Codification project which resulted in the enactment of the Sentencing Act 2020, reforming the law of sentencing procedure.  He has previously taught criminal law at the University of Oxford and King’s College, University of London.

Memberships

 CPS Panel Advocate, Level 3 (general crime; serious crime; counter terrorism) SFO Panel Advocate, C Panel (fraud) Member, Criminal Bar Association Member, Young Fraud Lawyers Association Editorial Board Member, Crown Court Compendium, Judicial College General Appeals Panel, Football Association of England and Wales

Education

DPhil, Worcester College, University of Oxford.

LLM and BVC, BPP Law School.

LLB, Lancaster University.

Mentions