Michael Lavery

Call 1990

lavery@exchangechambers.co.uk

"Michael is an extremely competent and charismatic barrister. He puts clients at ease but at the same time gives them realistic and forthright advice, he is well respected by all in the criminal justice system as a highly-experienced, first-class barrister, and he has an impressive court presence and judges really listen to him."

The Legal 500 2024
Photo of Michael Lavery

Criminal

Michael has an established, heavyweight and successful criminal practice which involves representing those accused of the most serious of offences including murder, fraud and large scale drug conspiracies.

He is predominantly instructed for the defence, although he is a Category 4 and specialist rape prosecutor.

He has been appointed as Leading Counsel in numerous cases and has been involved in some of the most notorious cases nationally, from the Strangeways riots of the early 90’s, numerous ‘Gunchester’ murder trials, to the infamous serial killer Dale Cregan. He recently defended Thomas Mair, the killer of the MP, Jo Cox.

Michael presents a straightforward view of each case, quickly bringing the real issues into sharp relief, and advising accordingly.

Michael is an expert in cases where fraudulent activity is alleged. He has extensive experience in defending clients charged with fraud and has been instructed on MTIC, eBay, reverse transaction and Ponzi frauds.

Current instructions include:

Acting in a high-profile fraud case where the fraud exceeds £150m;

A further Ponzi style fraud worth in excess of £250m;

A £25m racketeering fraud involving the formation of dummy companies;

Leading Counsel in a substantial 6 month fraud trial later in 2017 where the value of the fraud runs into many millions of pounds;

Acting for a Solicitor charged with fraud;

Defending a corporate financier alleged to be involved in the largest HMRC prosecution in respect of Tax evasion schemes, trial listed for 8 months