Leon-Nathan Lynch

Barrister

Leon-Nathan Lynch is a criminal defence barrister specialising in serious crime. He is regularly instructed in cases involving murder, attempted murder, firearms, serious violence, gang-related offending, county lines and large-scale drug conspiracies.

Leon has particular experience defending young and vulnerable defendants, including those alleged to be involved in gang-related violence, organised crime and county lines activity. He has also represented a number of well-known rap and drill artists in serious criminal proceedings. He is known for his calm but robust advocacy and his ability to present complex evidence through clear, compelling storytelling.

Leon is frequently instructed in cases where the evidence is complex, technical and contested. His recent practice has involved detailed analysis of cell-site, CCTV, forensic, pathology and expert drugs evidence, as well as cases involving gang-related intelligence and money laundering allegations. He brings that experience to serious cases involving targeted shootings, fatal stabbings, firearms, modern slavery defences and large-scale organised crime.

Leon is also regularly instructed in private driving matters, particularly where clients face the risk of disqualification, loss of licence or reputational consequences.

In addition to his criminal practice, Leon accepts instructions in inquests and public inquiries, particularly where there is an overlap with criminal law, disclosure, complex factual investigation or professional conduct issues. He has experience representing interested parties in inquest proceedings and has worked on large-scale public inquiry/review work.

Criminal Defence

Leon’s criminal defence practice is focused on serious and complex crime. He has appeared as junior alone and as led junior in cases involving murder, attempted murder, firearms, serious violence, Class A drugs, county lines and organised criminal activity.

He is particularly experienced in cases involving gang-related allegations and defendants from vulnerable or complex backgrounds. His recent work includes acquittals in cases involving attempted murder, assisting an offender to commit murder, possession of firearms with intent to endanger life, aggravated burglary, Class A drug supply, importation of controlled drugs and modern slavery defences.

Recent Cases

Rex v MWD & Others (Woolwich Crown Court, 2026): Attempted murder arising from an alleged targeted shooting in West Norwood, South London. The prosecution relied on Ring doorbell footage, CCTV and cell-site evidence. Acquitted.
Rex v GB (Woolwich Crown Court, 2026): Importation of several kilos of ketamine and MDMA concealed within oil filters. The prosecution relied on telephone evidence, DHL calls and IP address material said to link the defendant to the shipment. Following a defence application, the IP address evidence was excluded. Acquitted.
Rex v OS & Others (York Crown Court, 2026): Class A drug offences arising from alleged county lines activity in Scarborough. The defence advanced a modern slavery defence, contending that the defendant had been exploited from the age of 15 by the same organised criminal group. Following a seven-day trial, acquitted.
Rex v JS & Others (Isleworth Crown Court, 2026): Multiple counts of being concerned with intent to supply Class A drugs. Acquitted.
Rex v SS & Others (Snaresbrook Crown Court, 2025): Double attempted murder arising from an alleged drive-by shooting between rival East London gangs. The defendant was 16 years old at the time of the shooting. Led junior.
Rex v AL (Central Criminal Court, 2025): Assisting an offender to commit murder. The case arose from a fatal stabbing in the context of alleged gang-related violence. The defendant, who was 17 at the time of the offence, was alleged to have assisted with transport to and from the scene and to have provided an alibi for one of the attackers. Acquitted.
Rex v PAT (Harrow Crown Court, 2025): Possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Acquitted.
Rex v RH (Woolwich Crown Court, 2025): Possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Acquitted.
Rex v DF & Others (Croydon Crown Court, 2025): Aggravated burglary. The prosecution alleged that the defendant was part of a group involved in the armed burglary of a cannabis factory. Acquitted.
Rex v TB & Others (Maidstone Crown Court, 2025): Aggravated burglary. The prosecution alleged that the defendants had targeted the home of a drug dealer while armed with weapons. Acquitted.
Rex v EH & Others (Snaresbrook Crown Court, 2025): Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs arising from an alleged multi-borough drug network operating across East London. The prosecution alleged that the conspiracy generated millions of pounds. Acquitted.
Rex v SW & Others (Central Criminal Court, 2024): Murder arising from a North London gang rivalry and fatal shooting. The defendant was 17 years old at the time. Led junior.

Road Traffic

Leon is regularly instructed in private driving matters. He represents clients facing allegations including dangerous driving, careless driving, drink and drug driving, failing to provide a specimen, failing to stop or report, permitting use without insurance, exceptional hardship and special reasons arguments.

He is often instructed by professional clients and those for whom the loss of a licence would have serious personal, professional or reputational consequences.

Inquests and Public Inquiries

Leon accepts instructions in inquests and public inquiries, particularly where there is an overlap with criminal law, disclosure, complex factual investigation or professional conduct issues.

He has experience representing interested parties in inquest proceedings, including representing the interests of nursing staff at the inquest touching the death of Ida Lock.

Leon also worked for two years on the Dame Linda Dobbs Review, a major independent review into Lloyds Banking Group’s handling of the HBOS Reading incident.

Humanitarian Projects

Leon is passionate about access to justice and due process for the most vulnerable in society. He has been involved in a number of 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 the South Eastern Circuit Executive Committee.

Publications

Contributor to the Oxford Textbook on Criminology.

Professional Memberships

The Criminal Bar Association
South Eastern Circuit
The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn

Led Junior

R (SFO) v PS & Others (Southwark Crown Court): Assisted Simon Pentol KC 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.