Lewis Power KC

Legal 500 2020, 2021 & 2023, Ranked as a Leading Silk Tier 1 Chambers & Partners 2023 Ranked Band 1

Year of Call - 1990

Year of Silk - 2011

About

‘Lewis is a brilliant advocate both in and out of court. He is able to speak to clients clearly, and give well reasoned and understandable advice. Lewis’ kind nature, intelligence, and advocacy, makes him stand out of a crowd even as competitive and impressive as the criminal Bar.’

Legal 500 2023, Ranked as a Leading Silk Tier 1

"He often acts in high-profile cases and has particular expertise in matters concerning the deaths of children. He also has a successful appellate practice both domestically and abroad"

"Lewis is a canny operator, who is very good with a jury."

Chambers & Partners 2023 Ranked as a Leading Silk Band 1

‘Lewis is a force of nature. His amiable charm fills the robing room and the court room alike. He works every character in a case, from the co-defendants’ advocates, to the prosecutor to the judge and, ultimately, the jury, who hang on his every word. His charm underlays a deadly cross examination technique.’

Legal 500 2021, Ranked as a Leading Silk

"Ruthlessly intellectual in preparing his cases with precision."

Legal 500 2020, Ranked as a Leading Silk

Full Profile

Lewis Power KC is a formidable advocate who has established a reputation as a leading practitioner both domestically and internationally. In February 2022, Lewis was featured as “Lawyer of the Week” in The Times, and has been described in the media as “being in the Top Ten List of barristers in the UK”.

Recently, Lewis received national recognition for his successful efforts in overturning the conviction of a young woman accused of lying in a gang rape case before the Cyprus Supreme Court. Lewis specialises in complex and heavyweight criminal cases, including murder, criminal fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption, offshore and international, serious sex crimes, terrorism and war crimes. Notably he successfully defended in the London Bombing trials at the Old Bailey in London, and was lead Counsel in the private prosecution of the current UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

Lewis has successfully appeared for the defence in a number of high profile murder cases achieving a string of acquittals. Clients consistently comment on Lewis’ strategic and tactical acumen developed through nearly 30 years of trial advocacy, latterly in international or trans-national cases, including Cyprus, India, USA, the Balkans, the United Arab Emirates and Ireland. Lewis also regularly acts as a guest lecturer and speaker across the globe, regularly appearing on National TV and in a variety of documentaries giving his insight into topical legal issues.

In 2023, Lewis has been instructed in perhaps the most high profile criminal case in the UK, the fugitive and missing baby case of Constance Marten. Lewis also successfully acted for Alan Waller who brought an action against the BBC for defamation in the Princess Diana case, arising from the fabrication of bank statements by the BBC’s former journalist. Martin Bashir. Lewis also acted in the first case of its kind this year R v Sarah Lloyd Jones, involving the gross negligence manslaughter of a 16 year child, the neglect being diet related which was the first case televised in Wales regarding sentence. Lewis also is to receive a Honorary Degree of Doctor of Law this year in recognition of his significant contribution to the legal profession both domestically and internationally.

Lewis is recognised as a leading Kings Counsel by both Chambers UK and the Legal 500, commenting in particular on his renowned strength in cross-examination: “The epitome of a modern silk. He is approachable, naturally charming and engaging, with a work ethic that is second to none. His cross-examination is effortless and even in the most hopeless of cases, he fights tenaciously for the client and leaves no avenue unconsidered.” He is referred to as “an unrivalled cross-examiner” where his style is said to be “nothing short of brilliant”.

 

Regulatory Work

  • Part of Chambers experienced and highly acclaimed team advising and representing clients at all stages and at every level of the regulatory process, including advice on compliance with regulation and at all stages of investigation and prosecution of regulatory offences, and advice on enforcement and improvement notices in all areas of regulation.
  • Regular involvement in the provision of seminars to both professional and lay clients, providing opinion about the law as it was predicted to be enacted, and subsequently into the effect of the Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act.
  • Frequently defends the full range of Health & Safety offences and has appeared and advised in a number of high profile cases at the Central Criminal Court.

 

Offshore & International

  • Former lecturer in International law at Birbeck College, University of London.
  • Appointed Officer to War Crimes Committee of International Bar Association from January, 2015.
  • Joined the International Bar Association’s War Crimes Committee as the Conference Coordinator and moderated at the Peace Palace at the Hague in January 2016 at the Conference on Legal Challenges to Modern Warfare chairing the session on “Peacekeepers Responsibilities and Liabilities in Conflict Zones”.
  • Admitted as Defence lead Counsel to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) Counsel List (the STL is said to constitute in effect the World’s First International Terrorism Court).
  • Honoured as an Ambassador to Belfast, Northern Ireland, for outstanding contributions to international legal work.

 

Sports Law

  • Acts on a regular basis for high profile sports personalities, specifically in the fields of football, rugby, horse racing, and boxing, having acted for the World Heavyweight Champion, Tyson Fury.
  • Acted in the first ever football fixing trial (R-v Grobbelaar & others).
  • Advised professional jockeys before the Jockey Club and has acted recently in respect of extant Anti-Doping matters before the National Anti-Doping Panel Tribunal.
  • Recently acted in the trial of a Football Manager charged with corruption and the follow on proceedings before the FA.

Publications, Seminars & Articles

“Jury Really Want To Hurt Me?”- Church Court Chambers Webinar Recording, May 2020.
“The Changing Face of International Law” – Counsel magazine: England & Wales, February 2015.

“Slavery & Trafficking – An International Criminal Epidemic” – IBA, December 2013.
“21st Century Slavery: Hidden in Plain Sight” – Lead Article in Counsel Magazine -England & Wales – February 2014.

“Call to Arms”: A Paper on behalf of the North American Forum dealing with issues of International Criminal Justice: International Bar Association, 2013.
“Lewis Power KC Discusses Innovative Masters Programme in Gaming Law”- Church Court Chambers, 2019.

Appointments

- Member of Northern Ireland Bar
- Belfast Ambassador 2019
- Lecturer & External Examiner at Birkbeck College, University of London
- Head of Fraud Seminars at Church Court Chambers
- Defence Lead Counsel to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL)
- Member of North American Forum and War Crimes Forums
- Approved Football Association Lawyer
- Member of IBA Criminal Law and Business Crime Committees
- Full member of Association of Defence Counsel before ICTY (International Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia)
- Criminal Bar Association
- Sussex Bar Mess
- International Bar Association – War Crimes Committee Member.

Languages

English

Cases of note

  • criminal law
    R –v- Petraglia (2017)

    Southwark Crown Court – Defendant acquitted on all charges in 3 month money laundering trial involving Multi-Million Pound alleged Italian Mafia linked Bureau de Change Fraud and linked tax avoidance case.

    R –v- C (2017)

    Inner London Crown Court – Defendant acquitted on Marital Rape case after submissions on disclosure forced Crown to offer to offer no evidence – ground-breaking case as to disclosure in sex cases.

    R –v- DC (2017)

    Lewes Crown Court – Acquitted in University Rape Case.

    R –v- Mitchell (2017)

    Lewes Crown Court – Acquitted of Murder in Multi-handed murder trial – after successful submission of no case to answer at close of Prosecution case.

    R –v Cash (2017)

    Guildford Crown Court – Defendant acquitted on all charges in Modern Day Slavery Case.

    R—v- Sadler (2017)

    Cardiff Crown Court – Defendant acquitted on Murder Charges – daughter had killed father in house fire and found not guilty by reason of insanity.

    R v D (2016)

    Chichester Crown Court : Historical Sex abuse case by carer on children and separate Adult Rape Allegations – acquitted on all charges.

    R v Meade ( 2015)

    Lewes Crown Court – Paedophile ring familial sex abuse trial- representing vulnerable Defendant.

    R v – X (2015)

    Belfast Crown Court – Paramilitary case – Attempted Murder/Perverting the Course of Justice.

    R v Miles Headley

    Instructed on high profile case focused on the rivalry between prolific south london gangs. National newspapers ran features on the prevalence of such gangs which are responsible for some of the worst crimes committed in recent years by organised gangs in the capital. Defendant cleared of two attempted murders.

    R v Steven Miles

    Instructed on the dexter copy-cat murder case where a teenager fascinated with the hit tv show “dexter” murdered his 17 year old girlfriend in a sadistic fashion. Overview as to applicability of defence of diminished responsibility and brain disorders.

    R v Sandland

    Instructed in “Assassins Creed Baby Murder” case. Huge media coverage across national headlines in extraordinary baby shaking case with medical complications for both baby and Defendant, who required 29 medical experts for assessment.

    R v Khan [2014]

    Conspiracy to murder; hired assassins; defendant acquitted.

    R v RH [2014]

    Multi-handed murder of homeless man; defendant acquitted of murder.

    R v Nichols [2014]

    Complex murder trial at the Old Bailey; new defence of “loss of control”; acquitted of murder.

    R v Haskell [2013]

    Trial of one of oldest historic rape cases in UK dating back half a century; Defendant acquitted.

    R v Vijashinghe [2013]

    Multi-handed, 6 defendant, Sri-Lankan Gang related murder trial at Old Bailey; representing only defendant to be acquitted.

    R v JC & others [2013] EWCA Crim 368

    First judgment of Court of Appeal by Lord Chief Justice on new slavery offences; Lewis Power KC leading 4 Junior counsel.

    R v Tommy Connors [2013]

    The first ever prosecution of the new offences of “Slavery” under the Coroners & Justice Act 2009; acquitted all charges at re-trial.

    R v Brida Connors [2012-2013]

    Representing only female defendant in Irish Traveller slavery case.

    R v Denford [2013]

    Church of England Vicar with historic sexual abuse allegations within Church.

    R v El-Kurd [2013]

    Largest money laundering case involving Bureau de Change in UK to date; involving laundering of approximately £200 Million.

    R v W & W [2013]

    Representing defendant in million pound bank factoring fraud & building construction fraud.

    R v Teke [2013]

    Attempted murder by youth in racially motivated campaign.

    R v Topping [2012]

    “The Missing Body Murder Case”; representing only defendant to be acquitted.

    R v Harris [2012]

    Sophisticated fraud on law firm by employee.

    R v Biliniewicz [2012]

    Murder of wife case where defendant advanced “morbid delusional jealousy” as partial defence re diminished responsibility.

    R v Sole [2012]

    Baseball bat murder.

    R v-M [2012]

    National art fraud conspiracy.

    R v Shephard & Steele [2011]

    Serious Fraud Office (SFO) international prosecution where some 22 Million Euros were dishonestly appropriated by the Defendant.

    R v Megan Smith [2011]

    Multi-million pound international identity fraud.

    R v Wasim Sheikh [2011]

    A complex conspiracy to defraud the O2 Telecommunications Network by way of an International Revenue Share Fraud (IRSF).

    R v Mike Zur [2011]

    Murder – one of the first murder cases under the new legislation re partial defence for murder in diminished responsibility cases;defendant was putting forward “Alcohol Dependency Syndrome “as diminished responsibility defence.

    R v Simon Gold [2011]

    Murder; manslaughter contrary to the common law and one count of administering a poison or noxious substance so as to endanger life, contrary to section 23 of the OAPA 1867; defendant giving a lethal heroin injection.

    R v Lambeth [2011]

    Manslaughter; cyclist road rage.

    R v Abdelgadir & Others [2008]

    London terrorist bombings case where only 1 out of 2 defendants acquitted.

    R v M [2007]

    Leading Counsel in the “Adams Family” gangland case “Operation Trinity”; joint Police and MI5 case quoted as the biggest corruption case to come before the UK Courts; acted as leading counsel and secured acquittal for family Accountant.

  • international law
    R v Cheddi

    Acted for the first Defendant in this International Fraud case which involved the infamous Indian Corporate Giant Company Sahara India Pariwar. Secured the acquittal of the Defendant. Highly complex and novel case involving International Corporate Fraud on a huge scale and where the Crown acknowledged that this case involved concepts of “International Capacity Building” on money laundering and cash smuggling with recent foreign deployments and also and most crucially “Alternative Remittance Systems and Informal Value Transfer Systems” such as Hawala.

News

  • Church Court Chambers statement regarding CTS cyber-incident
  • Yasin Patel comments on the legal implications of Everton FC’s breach of financial rules, in City A.M.
  • Lewis Power KC secures Acquittal in Multi-Handed Murder Trial
  • Lewis Power KC receives Honorary Doctorate of Law
  • Lewis Power KC and Colin Witcher succeed in Bashir Panorama Defamation Claim 
  • Lewis Power KC and Colin Witcher instructed on behalf of Constance Marten 
  • Breaking Bread with Breaking Bad
  • Chambers’ Counsel Receive Multiple Recognitions in the Legal 500
  • Lewis Power KC secures Acquittal in Murder Case by mother of her disabled son
  • Lewis Power KC Appears in High Profile Sabina Nessa Murder Case
  • Lewis Power KC Secures Acquittal in Lincoln Murder Trial
  • Lewis Power KC featured as “The Times Lawyer of the Week”
  • Lewis Power KC Secures Acquittal for Teenager in Attempted Murder Trial
  • Lewis Power KC & Michael Polak Achieve Spectacular International Success In Supreme Court of Cyprus in Landmark Case of Teenager Rape Appeal.
  • Lewis Power QC and Michael Polak Secure a Retrial Acquittal for Alleged £20m Tobacco Fraud Mastermind
  • Lewis Power QC and Michael Polak take the Landmark Cyprus Rape Case to the Supreme Court of Cyprus
  • New Authority: Court of Appeal Upholds Competition and Markets Authority Decision in Respect to Online Sales Restrictions
  • Lewis Power QC and Michael Polak Involved in Internationally Reported Cyprus Teenager Rape Case
  • Lewis Power QC receives Homecoming Ambassador Medal
  • Lewis Power QC and Michael Polak see Stunning Success in 4-Month Complex Fraud Matter
  • The Prosecution of Mr Boris Johnson MP by Private Prosecutor Marcus Ball
  • Lewis Power QC and Kevin Molloy from Church Court Chambers Secure Acquittal in Murder Trial
  • Lewis Power QC and Colin Witcher Kick Off Chambers’ Financial Crime Lecture Series
  • Boris Johnson MP : Private Prosecution Press Statement
  • Lewis Power QC Secures Unanimous Acquittal In Expenses Fraud Case
  • Church Court and the Rule of Law.
  • Church Court Chambers Members ranked by Legal 500, 2019.
  • City Insurance Broker Represented by Lewis Power QC Cleared of s18
  • Lewis Power QC Secures Acquittal In Youth Murder Case
  • Church Court Trio Spearhead Efforts to Bring Accountability for Situation in Myanmar
  • Lewis Power QC secures Not Guilty Verdicts In Marital Rape Trial
  • Lewis Power QC succeeds in Murder Charge being dropped at Close of Prosecution Case
  • Lewis Power QC Secures Acquittal in University Rape Case.
  • Lewis Power QC secures Unanimous Acquittal In Modern Day Slavery Trial
  • Lewis Power QC enjoys Judicial Review success in the Northern Ireland Divisional Court
  • Lewis Power QC secures acquittal on 3 month Money Laundering trial
  • Lewis Power QC secures acquittal in murder/manslaughter trial
  • Church Court Chambers are delighted to welcome Lewis Power QC.
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    Criminal Law

    Business Crime

    Extradition

    Immigration Law

    Regulatory and Disciplinary Law

    Sports Law