Name Ian Leist
Occupation
Partner & Barrister (Called to Inner Temple 1981, appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2011)
Specialisation
Bribery & Corruption; Business crime; money-laundering law and administrative law.
Summary of experience
Ian Leist is a leading specialist counsel in criminal and administrative law. He is a highly regarded trial advocate having previously practised in the leading Barristers chambers of Lord Havers QC at 5 Kings Bench Walk and Michael Kallisher QC at 2 Hare Court, Temple. He is considered tactically astute in resolving difficult cases, and he has specific expertise in cases or public inquiries with a complex range of international law issues. He is a creative lawyer, skilled negotiator and consults for UK companies operating in emerging markets in China and Africa, dealing with governance, reputational, anti corruption and human rights challenges. He acted as Independent Counsel to Operation Gestalt (the Met Police investigation into HM Customs and Excise conduct in London City Bond tax fraud appeal cases) and the Butterfield Judicial Review and has acted as a trusted adviser to both prosecution authorities on sensitive anti-corruption issues. He has consulted and successfully defended a number of UK accountants and other professionals charged with fraud and money-laundering and in 2009/10 he represented a London architect charged with compliance and planning offences in connection with a development of the historic Putney Bridge. He is an expert on international Human Rights. Between 2000 and 2010 he successfully represented before the internationally recognised Bloody Sunday Inquiry, a group of soldiers from the Parachute regiment, considered responsible for the shooting and killing of civilians demonstrators in 1972, including Soldier H, who featured at the centre of the Inquiry. Ian has advised Members of Parliament on Human Rights, security and community relation issues arising from Terrorism legislation. He is a legal adviser to Islam Channel TV on Human Rights issues and recently made a documentary in 2010 in Bosnia to mark the 15th anniversary of the Srebrnica massacre. He has been consulted by Bosnian businessmen preparing for entry into the EU on governance related issues.
Recent Notable Cases
R v Gardner
In 2009/10 he represented at trial and on appeal to the House of Lords, an English Muslim, suffering recognised mental health issues, charged with terrorist offences committed while a serving prisoner. R v Nazir
In 2009, he successfully defended at trial a Muslim company director with a first class degree in law, charged with a conspiracy to defraud investors living in the United States arising from activities at the Luton Mosque. The Bloody Sunday Inquiry
(published report in 2010); R v Lord Saville of Newdegate ex parte Soldier H; R v Central Criminal Court
ex parte Bright, Alton Rusbridger (David Shayler); R v Gardner
2009 UKHL 9, a leading case on terrorism law. R v Cahill
In 2008, he defended Sean Cahill, former Millwall footballer and brother of Australian and Everton football star Tim Cahill, following his extradition from Australia. In 2009 he appeared for a defendent charged with money-laundering offences arising from international drug dealing in SOCA's most important prosecution of the year in the North East.
Contact details
Fulcrum Chambers LLP
11 Old Square, Lincoln’s Inn, London WC2A 3TS T: +44 (0)20 7186 0420
E: ianleist@fulcrumchambers.com | 
