Michael Neofytou

Barrister

Criminal Defence Barrister in London - Serious Crime, Fraud & Homicide Specialist

Michael is a highly experienced criminal defence barrister in London with over 25 years’ experience representing clients in serious and complex criminal cases across the UK. He is regularly instructed in high-profile matters involving homicide, complex fraud, large-scale drug supply, and serious organised crime.

Recognised as a leading criminal barrister, Michael was awarded Legal 500 Crime Barrister of the Year (2022) and is known for providing strategic, effective defence in the most challenging cases. He appears in the Crown Court and higher courts, acting in some of the most serious criminal proceedings in the UK.

Michael provides clear, strategic legal advice from the earliest stage of a case, including pre-charge advice and representation during police investigations. He is available for instruction on a direct access basis where appropriate, offering responsive and confidential legal support.

Called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1999 after graduating from Liverpool John Moores University and Nottingham Law School, Michael’s practice is based in London and the surrounding areas, although he accepts instructions nationwide in significant cases.

He led for the defence in the longest trial in the history of Liverpool Crown Court (2017–2018), in the case of R v Barton, which went on to reshape the legal test for dishonesty in criminal law.

Michael is particularly known for his meticulous preparation and ability to analyse and present complex evidence clearly, especially in cases involving murder, fraud, and organised crime. His approach ensures that clients receive a robust and carefully structured defence at every stage of proceedings.

Regularly instructed by high-profile clients, including individuals in the fields of sport, media, and the arts, he represents those in the public eye in serious and complex criminal matters, many of which attract significant national media attention.

With extensive experience in media-sensitive cases, Michael provides strategic legal advice that takes full account of reputational risk, privacy, and public scrutiny. He is highly skilled in managing cases where both legal outcomes and personal reputation are critical, offering discreet, confidential representation at every stage of proceedings.

Michael is trusted by professionals, public figures, and high-net-worth individuals to deliver a robust criminal defence while carefully navigating the wider implications of press coverage and public exposure.

The leading publications, hold Michael in high regard. He is ranked in Tier 1 of the Legal 500 as a leading barrister. In the 2026 edition, Michael is noted as "smooth, suave, sophisticated and slick, exuding the confidence, charm and skill of a seasoned silk." In the 2025 edition, Michael is described as"a beacon of the junior bar"who "stands head and shoulders above most barristers, including many silks". In the 2024 edition, it is said that "Michael is an exceptional advocate and a silk in the making. Juries love his calm and reassuring style and he knows all the facts of the case, down to the smallest detail buried in phone data." In the 2023 edition, the leading directory notes that he is a "confident and powerful advocate, with a keen eye for detail". The 2022 edition remarks that "Michael has a very good manner with clients and always is very well prepared. He is able to work well under pressure and is very efficient and is contactable when an issue arises on a case. He is not fazed by anything that arises at the last minute." The 2021 edition of described him as "A superb advocate who is always thinking one step ahead; a silk in the making. He is very bright and hard working. As a solicitor, he is a pleasure to work with. He is very attentive to a solicitor’s needs and responds in detail to case papers and instructions immediately after he is sent them." The 2020 edition described him as "A big personality-judges and juries like him." The 2022 edition of the legal publication Chambers, wrote that Michael is "An impressive barrister who gives sensible advice and is well liked by juries." The 2021 edition quoted that he "Produces beautifully pitched closing speeches - he always has the ammunition and deploys his points brilliantly." They went on to quote that he is "Very good with clients, he's charming and has shrewd judgement." Michael is known for his straightforward and client friendly approach. Previous editions of the Legal 500 described him as "a shining star in the ascendancy" (Legal 500 2011), "well-regarded"(Legal 500 2014), "lively on his feet" (Legal 500 2015), "Very user-friendly; he gets matters dealt with quickly" (Legal 500 2016) and "A diligent, conscientious barrister, who prepares his cases meticulously" (Legal 500 2017).

Memberships

Criminal Bar Association
Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL)
The Fraud Lawyers Association (FLA)
British Association of Sports Lawyers (BASL)
Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association (POCLA)

mneofytou@25bedfordrow.com

Homicide

Operation Waytrack - R v KA: High profile allegation of a double murder of 2 children (aged 5 and 2) by their mother, involving complex psychiatric evidence.
Operation Barometer - R v KK: Defending a 16 year old in relation to an allegation of murder (stabbing).
Operatin Lucas - R v IR: Defending the first defendant in gangland murder (shooting).
R v GH: Gang related murder of a drug dealer operating in a different county (stabbing).
Operation Hilactic - R v MW: Conspiracy to murder. Michael led Daniel Murray at the Old Bailey in this 3-month trial alleging a firearm contract killing.
Operation Tielen - R v DB: Gang related shooting in East London involving a complex telephone network of ‘secret sim evidence’.
Operation Nacton - R v AS & others: Murder. Representing the first defendant who was the driver of a car in which 2 others exited and shot a teenager dead in East London. This was a cut-throat defence between Michael’s client and others in which his client was acquitted and others convicted. Michael was the only junior to make a closing speech with the others represented by KC’s.
Operation Portland – R v RS & others: Manslaughter. Representing a young male indicted with a revenge stabbing in Turnpike Lane.
Operation Chertsey - R v TP & others: Murder. Representing the first defendant in a county-lines drug dealing operation in which a user who had robbed the operation was stabbed to death.
Operation Barneston - R v SB: Murder. Defending a man who had been convicted of attempted murder (not original trial counsel) who then was tried for murder 11 years later when the victim of the original shooting died. Complex issues of causation/admissibility.
Operation Chisel - R v AA & others: Murder. Defending a teenager in an allegation of murder following a stabbing in the street in Manchester.
Operation Markfield - R v RS & others: Murder. Defending a painter and decorator who was alleged to have beaten a foreign national to the head with a bicycle chain following an argument in a chicken shop in East London.
Operation Salmonby - R v JQ & others: Murder. Defending a teenager indicted with murder and related offences following the stabbing of another youth at a birthday party. The case involved complex issues surrounding bad character and joint enterprise.
R v AR: Defending a man with a complex psychiatric history. The defendant had walked into a police station and confessed to killing a man with a hammer 2 weeks earlier. Successful arguments for manslaughter by diminished responsibility were advanced which resulted in a s37/s41 Hospital Order.
R v G: Representing 16-year-old in an allegation of murder at the Central Criminal Court.
R v WB: Representing a paranoid schizophrenic who was alleged to have murdered his 86-year old mother over a Christmas period. The allegation involved bludgeoning her to death and involved complex mental health issues resulting in diminished responsibility and a s37/41 Mental Health Act Hospital Order.
R v M: Attempted murder. Representing a paranoid schizophrenic who slit the throat of his 6-month pregnant partner. The case involved complex mental health issues and resulted in a s37/41 Mental Health Act Hospital Order.
R v NH: Representing the passenger in an allegation of joint enterprise murder using a car to run over pedestrians in an Asian/Somalian “turf-war”.
R v AB: Allegation of murder involving the kidnap and torture of an alleged rival drug dealer.
R v MA & others: Murder. Defending a teenager charged with murdering the occupier of a dwelling during the course of a burglary.
R v P & others: Perverting the course of justice in the course of a complex murder investigation.
R v IH: The first UK case of a “white Honour killing”. Representing a British Asian defendant alleged to have been involved in a joint enterprise ‘honour killing’. The case was the subject of a Panorama documentary focusing on British Asian men exploiting vulnerable women in South Yorkshire.
R v BR: Gangland attempted murder involving the discharge of firearms from rival London gangs.
R v A & others: Attempted murder. Defending a teenage boy involved in the revenge attack of a drug-dealer.
R v GC: Defending a man who killed a police officer whilst driving dangerously.

Other Serious Crime

Operation Uzana - R v DRB & others: Defending a conservative councillor indicted with a multi-million-pound money laundering following the 18-year fraudulent operation of a North-West care home. This was a VHCC case and was the longest running case in the history of Liverpool Crown Court (over 1-year).
Operation Southend - R v AP & others: Defending a criminal caseworker/paralegal who was indicted with a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in which he was alleged to have fed information back to the head of a Manchester OCG involved in drug trafficking.
Operation Labootin - R v CD & others: Defending a leading member of an OCG involved in the supply of 1-tonne of cocaine.
Operation Vanish - R v TB & others: Defending the first defendant indicted with a series of armed robberies including a post office, bookmakers and G4S security guard making a cash in transit delivery.
Operation Alarm - R v JT & others: Defending the company secretary of a pharmaceutical company indicted with 2.5 tonne importation of Benzocaine and other cutting agents.
Operation Tisdale - R v LO & others: Defending a man of good character indicted with being a courier in a national conspiracy to package and sell industrial massive quantities of cannabis.
Operation Raboro - R v PA & others: Defending an alleged gang member in relation to a conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life in a revenge attack. The firearms concerned were a revolver and an Uzi machine gun.
Operation Spinnaker - R v JS & others: Defended a director of several companies who was alleged to have committed a fraud via a media publishing company.
Operation Auron - R v PL & others: Representing the lead defendant in a conspiracy to kidnap, blackmail and falsely imprison.
Operation Gribble - R v AG & others: known as the “Dutch ambulance” case- importation of £1.6 billion cocaine/heroin.
Operation Mario Line - R v SX & others: Defending in a large-scale conspiracy to supply class A drugs, value said to be in the region of £20 million.
R v JB & others: Defending in multi-defendant conspiracy to supply class A and B involving intrusive surveillance by way of a covert probe placed in a vehicle.
Operation Rome - R v KS & others: Nationwide conspiracy to supply multi-kilo class A drugs, cocaine and heroin.
Operation Zambia - R v DC & others: Defending the partner of the principal defendant on an allegation of money laundering by possessing in excess of £500,000 in cash.
Operation Okda - R v KB & others: Conspiracy to kidnap, falsely imprison and blackmail. The case involved cross-examination of the teenage complainant through an intermediary.
Operation Bizarre - R v GA & others: Conspiracy to supply cannabis, said to be one of largest cannabis conspiracies in British history involving 15 tonnes of drugs with a potential street value in excess of £100 million.
Operation Duke - R v JD & others: Conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Representing an employee of a solicitor’s firm in relation to allegations of conspiracy to supply drugs and money laundering.
R v K: Representing a man who staged his own kidnap in order to seek to extort money from his own family.
R v BM: Representing a defendant charged with causing death by careless driving.
R v EM & others: Violent disorder involving rival gangs in Leicester and London involving the discharge of firearms.
R v JS & others: 15-year-old defendant indicted with serious violence including s18 and violent disorder in which the victim was shot.
R v JM & others: Cash in transit armed robbery.
R v RB & others: Conspiracy to commit armed robberies of a large supermarket chain.
R v LC & another: Conspiracy to commit armed robberies. Representing the principal defendant later dubbed the “Playboy” robber in allegations of robbery of high-end jewellery stores.
R v JB & another - Allegation of joint-enterprise kidnap in which a man alleged to have been committing crime in the locality was allegedly kidnapped in vigilante revenge.
R v SO & others - Conspiracy to kidnap, falsely imprison and blackmail.
R v Dr H-E-M & Another - Representing a consultant neurosurgeon in allegations of people trafficking and holding an Egyptian national in slavery/servitude.
R v B & others - Representing the youngest defendant, aged 14 years, indicted with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Sports / Media Related Cases

CPS v AF: Defending former England cricket captain and media personality in numerous road traffic allegations including successful arguments relating to exceptional hardship enabling him to continue to drive with 12+ points on his licence.
CPS v MD: Defending premier league and international footballer in relation to road traffic allegations. Successful arguments to overturn convictions for failing to notify the identity of the driver followed by successful special reasons arguments for driving whilst disqualified/no insurance.
CPS v KD: Representing West Ham United premiership footballer in relation to road traffic matters.
CPS v LK: Representing England and Tottenham Hotspur premiership footballer in relation to allegation of failing to identify the driver of a vehicle under s172 Road Traffic Act.
CPS v JF: Representing ex-champion jockey and now Channel 4 racing pundit in relation to road traffic matters.
CPS v WR: Representing premiership footballer in relation to road traffic matters. Successful special reasons argument not to endorse licence for failing to notify the identity of the driver.
CPS v PG: Representing ex-professional footballer in relation to road traffic matters. The prosecution failed in an attempt to appeal by way of case stated flowing from the acquittal.
CPS v JD: representing comedian and television personality in an exceptional hardship argument. A disqualification was avoided despite the defendant having 18 points on his licence as a result of the offences.
CPS v DC: Representing British heavyweight boxer in public order offence allegations.
CPS v DS: Representing Sky Sports television presenter in relation to road traffic matters.
CPS v OF: Representing Shropshire Master of Hunt in relation to road traffic matters.

Football Violence

R v AG & others: QPR v Bristol City (proceedings stayed for abuse of process).
R v JH & others: Charlton v Huddersfield.
R v RC & others: Ipswich v QPR.
R v TP & others: Crystal Palace v Charlton.
R v DM & others: Manchester United v Millwall.
R v PM & others: Millwall v Birmingham.

Court of Appeal Reported Cases

R v Mark Hobbs [2023] EWCA Crim 938: AG reference on unduly lenient sentence.
R v Ebrahem Gogo [2019] EWCA Crim 281: Successful appeal against conviction.
R v Ritchie Tsang [2016] EWCA Crim 1178: Successful appeal against sentence.
Helen Ryan [2011] EWCA Crim 1434: Successful appeal against sentence.
R v John William Woodruff and Peter Faires [2005] EWCA Crim 2984, [2005] EWCA Crim 3615: Successful appeal against sentence.
R v Gerald Keith Breslin [2004] EWCA Crim 383: Successful appeal against sentence.

Operation Bauera - R v NC & others: Representing a defendant indicted with a £1.25m money laundering following a sophisticated phishing scam on the e mails of a high-profile international businessman.
Operation Uzana - R v DRB & others: Defending a conservative councillor indicted with a multi-million-pound money laundering following the 18-year fraudulent operation of a North-West care home. This was a VHCC case and was the longest running case in the history of Liverpool Crown Court (over 1-year).
Operation Dissection - R v HM & others: Defending the principal defendant in a multi-defendant money laundering. The predicate fraud/cheat offences premised on the operation or use of to manipulate the VAT repayment system.
Operation Isidor - R v BT & others: Defending in an allegation of multiple mortgage fraud and money laundering with an 11-year indictment period.
Operation Abbeyville - R v SW & others: Allegation of fraud arising from the government access to work scheme. The defendant was profoundly deaf and the trial preparation and process involved a detailed understanding of the scheme and the workings of British sign language.
Operation Fusticaro - R v HF & others: 20 defendant “crash for cash” fraud.
Operation Shark - R v ES & others: Representing first defendant in a “rare earth minerals” boiler room fraud.
R v PH & another: representing a businessman charged with money laundering in a £10m Ponzi fraud with his father a practising dentist.
R v CT & another: Defending in a private prosecution brought by VOSA alleging the operation of a ‘phoenix’ company following the closure of an MOT station. This was the first prosecution of its kind.
Operation Copland School - R v Dr IP & others: Widely reported conspiracy to defraud and falsifying documents for accounting purposes by a knighted former head teacher and five colleagues accused of a £2.7million fraud at a Wembley secondary school. Michael’s client was a Dr who had previously received an MBE. Michael also represented the Dr before the Medical Tribunal in interim proceedings brought by the General Medical Council.
R v ZC & another: Conspiracy to commit misconduct in Public office, the defendant being tried with an employee of the police.
Operation Tribunal - R v JD & others: Large scale conspiracy to defraud banks and other financial institutions.
R v MG & others: Representing the principal defendant in allegations of money laundering arising from an eBay and PayPal fraud.
R v WY & others: Representing the principal defendant in a national benefit fraud intercepting post addressed to legitimate benefit claimants and the subsequent manipulation of documents to create false identities.
R v SA & others: Defending in a private prosecution brought by Virgin Media in relation to counterfeit/cloned set top boxes. Multi-million-pound value.
R v RC & others: Defending in Federation against Copyright Theft. The first prosecution of its kind involving the use of an internet forum to defraud the music and film industry of millions of pounds worth of financial rights.
R v JE & others: Conspiracy to defraud in a sophisticated car ringing operation involving multiple high-performance vehicles.
R v J & others: Conspiracy to defraud in a large-scale international car ringing operation across European jurisdictions.
R v M & others: Conspiracy to defraud and money laundering. Defending an international businesswoman alleged to be involved in the ‘faking’ and staging of multiple car accidents to defraud the motor insurance industry and the consequent laundering of payments made.
R v RS & others: Conspiracy to defraud. Representing a teenage defendant alleged to be part of a group targeting vulnerable elderly people in the West of England with a view to extracting money for purported works on residential properties.