Matheos Lefteris was called to the Bar in 1997 and is a highly experienced criminal defence barrister with almost three decades of practice in serious and complex criminal cases. He has appeared in numerous murder trials and high-value fraud prosecutions, with a particular concentration of work at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey).

Matheos was instructed in his first murder case just two years after call and has since been frequently instructed as leading counsel in homicide and other serious criminal matters. His practice reflects a depth of experience and confidence in managing the most demanding cases, often involving significant evidential and legal complexity.

In 2009, Matheos was instructed in the largest car-clocking fraud trial ever charged, followed by a £64 million Money Service Business fraud, which initially alleged gains in excess of £150 million. He is particularly adept at defending in complex fraud and financial crime cases, and is widely recognised for his ability to make highly technical allegations clear and accessible to lay clients and juries.

Having practised exclusively in criminal defence throughout his career, Matheos has been instructed across the full spectrum of criminal law, with particular expertise in conspiracy cases, multi-defendant trials, and matters involving serious violence. His experience includes cases requiring strategic coordination, rigorous analysis of evidence, and decisive courtroom advocacy.

Matheos’ professional philosophy is that preparation is everything. He is known for “living” his cases, immersing himself fully in the detail from the outset, and often preparing his closing submissions before the trial begins. This meticulous approach underpins his reputation for focus, clarity, and persuasive advocacy.

Matheos is a duty-accredited barrister and is regularly instructed to provide pre-charge advice, frequently meeting clients at the earliest stages of proceedings. He is also a registered vulnerable witness advocacy trainer, with significant experience in cases involving vulnerable defendants and witnesses. He has been consistently praised for his disciplined preparation and compelling courtroom manner, making him a trusted and sought-after advocate in serious criminal defence work.

A simple, stylized illustration of a dark rose flower with layered petals.

Expertise

Murder & Manslaughter

Having spent much of his career acting in murder cases, frequently at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), Matheos is most often instructed in matters involving murder, manslaughter, and serious violent offences. He has extensive experience defending in high-stakes homicide trials, often involving complex factual and legal issues. Such cases frequently involve multiple defendants, many of whom are young, vulnerable, or unfamiliar with the pressures of lengthy Crown Court proceedings. Matheos’ skill lies not only in his legal expertise, but in his deep understanding of the dynamics of murder and serious violence trials, enabling him to guide defendants and their families through the process with clarity and reassurance. His calm, authoritative approach puts clients at ease and ensures that defendants are fully prepared to present their best possible defence. He is particularly effective in cases requiring careful handling of client expectations, sensitive family issues, and sustained engagement throughout long and demanding trials. Allegations of murder and manslaughter require more than technical legal knowledge; they demand sound judgment, strategic awareness, and the ability to remain calm and focused under intense pressure, often over trials lasting many weeks or months. Matheos brings these qualities to every case, making him a trusted and respected advocate in the defence of the most serious criminal allegations.

Noticeable Cases - Murder & Manslaughter

R v S

Junior counsel in a three month acid attack murder trial.

R v A

Junior counsel in a multi defendant murder trial involving the killing of a Greek tourist.

R v A

Junior counsel for the first defendant in a murder trial.

R v H

Junior counsel for the first defendant in a murder trial.

R v G

Attempted murder and assisting an offender. Defendant acquitted.

R v A

Attempted murder involving a sixteen year old shooting. Defendant acquitted.

R v M

Seven handed murder trial at the Central Criminal Court. Junior counsel. Defendant acquitted.

R v W

Leading junior for the fourth defendant charged with assisting an offender in a murder. Defendant acquitted.

R v B

Murder of sixteen year old Hani el Kheir in Pimlico in January 2013. Widely reported nationally due to the extreme ferocity of the attack.

R v A

Gang related murder of a nineteen year old in Edmonton. The case involved multiple defendants, CCTV, cell site evidence, and gang association evidence. Defendant acquitted.

R v D

Murder and violent disorder. Leading junior in a three month trial concerning the murder of Luke Fitzpatrick and the stabbing of his father. Defendant was the only accused acquitted of violent disorder. The case involved cut throat defences, late disclosure of thousands of pages of material, and was prosecuted by senior treasury counsel. Subsequently reported as [2014] EWCA Crim 1154.

R v I

Murder of a promising young athlete in Peckham. Defendant acquitted following a successful challenge to cell site evidence. The case was later reported as R v Adeojo and others [2013] EWCA Crim 41.

R v C

Murder trial concerning a shooting in Tottenham arising from a gang related feud. The prosecution relied on mobile phone tracking and CCTV evidence. Defendant acquitted.

Expertise

Murder & Manslaughter

Noticeable Cases - Murder & Manslaughter

R v S

Junior counsel in a three month acid attack murder trial.

R v A

Junior counsel in a multi defendant murder trial involving the killing of a Greek tourist.

R v A

Junior counsel for the first defendant in a murder trial.

R v H

Junior counsel for the first defendant in a murder trial.

R v G

Attempted murder and assisting an offender. Defendant acquitted.

R v A

Attempted murder involving a sixteen year old shooting. Defendant acquitted.

R v M

Seven handed murder trial at the Central Criminal Court. Junior counsel. Defendant acquitted.

R v W

Leading junior for the fourth defendant charged with assisting an offender in a murder. Defendant acquitted.

R v B

Murder of sixteen year old Hani el Kheir in Pimlico in January 2013. Widely reported nationally due to the extreme ferocity of the attack.

R v A

Gang related murder of a nineteen year old in Edmonton. The case involved multiple defendants, CCTV, cell site evidence, and gang association evidence. Defendant acquitted.

R v D

R v I

Murder of a promising young athlete in Peckham. Defendant acquitted following a successful challenge to cell site evidence. The case was later reported as R v Adeojo and others [2013] EWCA Crim 41.

R v C

Murder trial concerning a shooting in Tottenham arising from a gang related feud. The prosecution relied on mobile phone tracking and CCTV evidence. Defendant acquitted.

Expertise

Murder & Manslaughter

Noticeable Cases
Murder & Manslaughter

R v S

Junior counsel in a three month acid attack murder trial.

R v A

Junior counsel in a multi defendant murder trial involving the killing of a Greek tourist.

R v A

Junior counsel for the first defendant in a murder trial.

R v H

Junior counsel for the first defendant in a murder trial.

R v G

Attempted murder and assisting an offender. Defendant acquitted.

"Matheos is a strikingly good courtroom operator with an unerring eye for the best points. He has an air of unflappability when on his feet which greatly encourages client confidence. He is admired by judges and opponents alike and can always be relied upon to advance his case with meticulous attention to detail and not a little charm."

— Leading Juniors Ranked: Tier 3

"Matheos is a strikingly good courtroom operator with an unerring eye for the best points. He has an air of unflappability when on his feet which greatly encourages client confidence. He is admired by judges and opponents alike and can always be relied upon to advance his case with meticulous attention to detail and not a little charm."

— Leading Juniors Ranked: Tier 3

Memberships & Scholarships

Criminal Bar Association

Member of the Criminal Bar Association, the representative body for specialist criminal advocates, providing professional support, training, and guidance across all levels of criminal practice.

Criminal Bar Association

Member of the Criminal Bar Association, the representative body for specialist criminal advocates, providing professional support, training, and guidance across all levels of criminal practice.

Duty Accredited

Duty accredited barrister qualified to accept instructions through the duty solicitor scheme and to provide representation at the earliest stages of criminal proceedings.

Duty Accredited

Duty accredited barrister qualified to accept instructions through the duty solicitor scheme and to provide representation at the earliest stages of criminal proceedings.

Vulnerable Witness Trainer

Registered trainer in vulnerable witness advocacy, with experience advising on and preparing cases involving vulnerable witnesses and defendants, including appropriate questioning techniques.

Vulnerable Witness Trainer

Registered trainer in vulnerable witness advocacy, with experience advising on and preparing cases involving vulnerable witnesses and defendants, including appropriate questioning techniques.

South Eastern Circuit

Member of the South Eastern Circuit, supporting professional development and advocacy standards for barristers practising across London and the South East.

South Eastern Circuit

Member of the South Eastern Circuit, supporting professional development and advocacy standards for barristers practising across London and the South East.

Year of Call:

1997

Expertise Overview

Professional Profile

Expertise

Noticeable Cases - Murder & Manslaughter

R v S

R v A

R v A

R v H

R v G

R v A

R v M

R v W

R v B

R v A

R v D

R v I

R v C

Expertise

Noticeable Cases - Murder & Manslaughter

R v S

R v A

R v A

R v H

R v G

R v A

R v M

R v W

R v B

R v A

R v D

R v I

R v C

Expertise

Noticeable CasesMurder & Manslaughter

R v S

R v A

R v A

R v H

R v G

Memberships & Scholarships

Memberships & Scholarships

Criminal Bar Association

Criminal Bar Association

Duty Accredited

Duty Accredited

Vulnerable Witness Trainer

Vulnerable Witness Trainer

South Eastern Circuit

South Eastern Circuit

Related News

Related News

Related News

Noticeable Cases
Murder & Manslaughter