John Lyons specialises exclusively in criminal defence, in particular white collar crime and commercial fraud. He also acts for those accused of terrorism-related offences, large-scale drug trafficking, serious sexual offences and murders. He has been instructed on behalf of potential victims of miscarriages of justice and is involved in representing those seeking to appeal historic criminal convictions through the Criminal Cases Review Commission. He has a clear understanding of the approach of the prosecution and disclosure issues, having previously been appointed a Grade 4 (highest grade) CPS prosecutor.
John regularly undertakes leading junior work and is also led by Queen’s Counsel. He has defended in large-scale financial frauds, high-tech computer frauds, VAT and tax offences.
A selection of cases concluded in the last two years and current contested cases include:
As a former qualified Company Secretary and with a degree in economics, John is well equipped to understand and analyse complex company accounts and other financial documents.
He is highly proficient in the use of computers for case preparation. He has lectured in the use of case preparation software. He is able to establish case-based intranets and designs, develops and uses bespoke databases and spreadsheets for case preparation and presentation of complex evidence.
He has a background in public law and human rights law. He served for many years as a member of the Legal Services Commission Public Interest Advisory Panel. As a former Chair of Liberty and member of the International Federation of Human Rights he has a strong knowledge of the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights.
He has considerable experience in confiscation matters, often succeeding in reducing dramatically the size of orders. Two recent examples:
Legal 500 (2016): Leading Individual
Postgraduate Diploma in Law, City University (1985)
Institute of Chartered Secretaries (1984)
BA Economics, University of Durham (1980)
Middle Temple
Howard League for Penal Reform
South Eastern Circuit
Criminal Bar Association
Bar Pro Bono Unit
Legal Services Commission Public Interest Advisory Panel
Chair of Liberty and Trustee of the Civil Liberties Trust
British representative to the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH)