I offer expertise in a wide range of legal fields and in particular criminal defence work including, complex fraud, murder and attempted murder, rapes and sexual assaults, drugs and money laundering and organised crime. I have appeared and advised in a variety of contested cases in the Crown Court, Court of Appeal and the High Court and have had success.
I also practise in civil law and in particular, personal injury, employment, commercial disputes, power of attorney cases and all aspects of driving offences.
I have a special ability to deal with cases which require a careful eye to detail, and which involve, expertise. In terms of my approach to cases, I am a strategist, ‘who will always find an angle’. I’m quick thinking and a natural advocate which means I am a lethal cross-examiner who is able to take a witness apart within minutes of them stepping into the witness box. I believe in gaining an advantage quickly in cases.
In terms of client care, I am dedicated to the end and often spend more time than is even necessary to ensure that ‘no stone is left unturned.’ I am a naturally caring and will always ensure my client feels “at ease”.
John also undertakes a range of civil cases including personal claims, money claims for breaches of duty of care, unfair dismissal and applications for forfeiture (FTT) and claims against insurance companies.
My approach
I am very thorough and well organised and have a very “clinical” approach to all my cases. I have extensive experience in cases which involve expert evidence, including: forensic accountancy, forensic psychiatry, forensic psychology, all manner of forensic semantics, forensic Arboriculturism, fireams and ballistic experts, forensic fibres expert and many more.
I am prepared to travel to my clients, although I would normally charge the costs of travel.
Costs: I usually set fixed fees, so that you know exactly how much you will have to pay.
My work
2017 - R -v- Renroy Johnson Attempted Murder at Wolverhampton Crown Court (case of nationwide publicity)
2017 - Mohammed Ali, K Hussein (& others) – Sexual Risk Prevention Order – involving 4 defendants at Birmingham Magistrates Court;
2016 – R -v- Pierzhada Khan – murder trial involving 6 defendants lead by Tyrone Smith QC at Birmingham Crown Court.
2016 - Lauma Vankova (& others) Large scale fraud and money laundering trial which involved 4 defendants – lead counsel (leading Thomas McGarvey) and prosecuted by Greg Perrins (now HHJ Perrins at Wood Green Crown Court).
2016 - R -v- John Burnley – Cambridge Crown Court – extremely unusual trial involving rape of a grandchild;
2016 – Foysol Ahmed (& others) Local authority prosecution at Stafford Crown Court involving 9 defendants – case of large scale publicity;
2015 - R -v- Robert Bailey (& others) exceptionally large multi-handed trial involving 13 defendants of child abuse at Warwick Crown Court.
2014 - R -v- Leon Pacquette – Central Criminal Court – 3 week murder trial led by James Scobie QC.
2014 - R -v- Jason Farinas (& others) Lead Counsel in 9 handed attempted murder trial at Wood Green Crown Court co-defending with Lee Karu QC (for the second defendant). A commendation received from the Learned Trial Judge (HHJ F. Morrison who is now retired).
2013 - R -v- Blandford – Worcester Crown Court – Serious Crime Prevention Order involving 5 million pounds.
In all the above cases I have used my many years of experience and highly developed strategic skill to help my clients. My adversarial ability is well recognised and I have been complimented by numerous judges over the years.
About me
I have been a barrister for 23 years and have appeared in almost the entire range of courts in the United Kingdom and even in other European countries. I was born in London in Wimbledon and hail from a family of distinguished and well recognised barristers, and Judges. I went to school at St Johns School Leatherhead where I developed a keen interest in sports and foreign languages which I still have. I have two degrees including a PG (LLB) in law which I achieved at City University. I am a positive and happy person who enjoys his work and the challenges it brings. I keep fit by going to the gym, playing tennis and cycling. No challenge is too much for me.
What my clients say
R -v- Georgina Alleyne – Croydon Crown Court – (possession of firearms ….2017 result of suspended sentence)
“I can’t thank you enough for giving me John Lucas as my barrister…he was always re-assuring and I thought my whole life was collapsing ...he handled the case brilliantly…”)
R -v- Manuel Antougia – Inner London Crown Court (Sexual Assault ...2017 unanimous verdict of not guilty.)
“You saved my life Mr Lucas …thank you so much…”
R -v- Jaider Periera – Kingston Crown Court 2017 (Sexual Activity with a child ...his daughter -unanimous verdict of not guilty)
“the way you handled the witnesses was brilliant …. I can’t express my gratitude to you ...I was facing a lifetime of misery…”
R -v- Bobby Melrose – Cambridge Crown Court … (Rape Allegation 2016 – unanimous verdict).
” John practically save my life…he was brilliant in every and had the jury eating out of his hand…. I was so worried that my life was going to come to an end and that I’d never see my son again but John changed that…...I now have my life back ….and I’m seeing my son and all thanks to John”
R -v- Jason Farinas & others – Wood Green Crown Court (Attempted Murder allegation 2015 along with 8 co-defendants, lead counsel …first trial hung jury ...re-trial unanimous not guilty verdict by jury)
“John is a brilliant barrister …. we can’t thank him enough …he has been dedicated to the end and had done a brilliant job….” (Family of Jason Farinas)
R -v- B Mohammed – Harrow Crown Court ... (s.18 GBH allegation 2016) …...
“the case started badly and John had only just got the papers but by the 2nd day he turned the case upside down on its head in my favour and against the prosecution and we started winning…from there it was better and better in my favour until we won the case…I’m very grateful to John ...
"John is our ‘Preferred barrister for criminal Court of Appeal work’ , General civil work, including personal injury claims and forfeiture claims including FTT tribunal hearings in relation to s146 notices etc." - return client
"I would like to leave a review for John Lucas, He was the light at the end of my tunnel, fully trusted his judgement we won with a jury in crown court with a unanimous verdict, can't thank him enough for all his efforts, top barrister!' - Many Thanks Nicola Thompson
Serious Harm Case March 2021
IBDI MOHAMMED ESA
Stafford Crown Court
April 2021 HHJ Montgomery QC
3 years 3 months
'Thank you so much for you for your efforts to save my son Mr Lucas. You owned our hearts and minds, and you have become like a member of our family. We cannot reward you enough for the harvest of work you have been doing for us since 2019. I promise that I will remember you, I thank you more than I can say, you deserve so many rewards.'
'R -v- X Cardiff Magistrates Court - July 2021
John was fantastic at court. He was well prepared, very professional and knew exactly what points to advocate for in order to get the outcome we wanted (which we did). When advising me, John was clear about the possible outcomes and next steps. I felt well supported throughout the proceedings.John practically saved my life.
C. P.'
'I thank God I was fortunate to have John Lucas as my barrister. I feel as though I have my life back now.
Prosecution wanted to proceed with the trial without a fundamental witness.
John is clearly on top of the law and impressed the court with his submissions. I cannot quite explain the relief I feel now from all this – I will be eternally indebted to John for today.
Mr Singh, Romford.'
“I was facing 10 charges all calls A drug related. I have never been in trouble before my whole family was so worried. I was desperate to find the best barrister I could. I was lucky with John Lucas, as he somehow managed to turn the case around.
I was looking at a long prison sentence. I ended up walking free with a suspended sentence. Mr Lucas had so much control over the court and managed to persuade the judge round to his way of thinking. I am eternally grateful to John”
“Had been waiting for this trial to happen to happen for over a year. My landlady that I had only lived with for 2 weeks told the police that Inhad sexually assaulted her. John was amazing form start to finish. Always calm and confident. But you are a sworn in on Tuesday and my Thursday at 2 pm without 20 minutes of going out to consider their verdict they found not guilty. John was a genius in his cross-examination and his speech sent chills down my spine. My life was on hold and now I have it back -‘thanks be to God for John Lucas’ he believed in me. He was in a word brilliant.”
'Brilliant work performed by John Lucas with simple clear words ultimately won my case.
This outcome meant the world to me, my mum, sister and brother and my future.
Barrister John Lucas is truly gifted at his job !
No case to answer on all counts !
John Lucas handled the case from start to finish and had it dismissed, couldn’t of asked for a better Barrister, was pleasure to have him has my barrister
If I need legal work done again here is where I will come
I thank you so much ..
From
Marc Anthony . 11/09/2023.'
Professional & academic
I studied at Oxford Brookes University (BA Hons in History and Business) and I did my second degree at City University (PG LLB)
I was called to the Bar in 1998 and have had a relentless and successful career thus far. This extensive experience of cases means I have an advantage.
Memberships
CBA
Armenian Lawyers Association