Peter Lownds

Peter Lownds has a mixed practice covering complex criminal cases, professional disciplinary proceedings, and inquests.

His criminal practice often involves acting for professionals. He has substantial experience in representing clients facing allegations of fraud or high-level involvement in drugs supply. During the first half of this year, he has successfully defended a professional businesswoman accused of involvement in a substantial business fraud, and also secured an acquittal for a man charged with managing the commercial supply of Class A drugs.

Peter is frequently also instructed in disciplinary proceedings. He has defended doctors, dentists, teachers, and police officers. He also acts for regulatory bodies and has presented cases against vets, optical professionals, teachers and for NHS England. He has particular expertise in defending cases concerning allegations of dishonesty and sexual misconduct. His disciplinary cases this year have included defending a doctor accused of sexually harassing nurses and representing a doctor facing multiple allegations of dishonest misrepresentation.

He is regularly instructed to represent interested parties at inquests. He has acted for families, health authorities, housing providers and doctors. Earlier this year he represented the family of a man who died after he was restrained on the floor of a pub. His other recent inquests include representing a psychiatrist at an inquest concerning the death of a child deliberately killed by a man who drove his car into a group of school children, and representing another doctor in circumstances in which a father shot and killed his partner and their children before shooting himself.

Peter regularly undertakes pro-bono work for the Death Penalty Project and is a committed volunteer for the homeless charity Crisis.

Peter accepts Direct Access instructions.

Recent praise for him includes:

“Peter is really thorough in terms of his preparation and knows his cases inside out.” – Chambers UK 2024 (Financial Crime)

“Peter is very measured and compelling in the way he puts across his cases.” and “He is a brilliant in terms of his advocacy and the tactical acumen he brings to cases.” – Chambers UK 2024 (Crime)

“Peter is a very skilled and measured advocate in particular when dealing with vulnerable clients or witnesses. He is incredibly thorough in his preparatory and written work and is first choice counsel for serious and complex matters.” – Legal 500 UK 2024 (Crime)

“A junior who goes above and beyond. Clients love him.” – Legal 500 UK 2024 (Professional Discipline)

“An excellent communicator with clients from all backgrounds who undertakes the most serious and complex matters and understands the case requirements from the outset. He is a very strong advocate.” and “A first-class counsel.” – Chambers UK 2023

“His written work is exceptional. He is tactically astute and great on his feet.” and “Peter is an experienced practitioner and he is very effective.” – Chambers UK 2023

“Peter is a highly-experienced and polished advocate.” – Legal 500 UK 2023

“Peter has a fantastic eye for detail, especially when dealing with large paper caseloads.” – Chambers UK 2022

“His written work is excellent, and his response time is incredibly prompt. He is great with clients regardless of their backgrounds.” – Chambers UK 2022

“Peter is client-focused in all areas of his work. He is approachable, clear, and coherent in communicating his advice to all types of client. Solicitors and clients alike are completely safe in his hands. He is a joy to work with.” – Legal 500 UK 2022

“He is an exceptionally talented barrister. Incredibly thorough in relation to paper heavy cases. Outstanding written work. Very prompt in responding to correspondence. An advocate of the highest calibre able to easily adapt to the demands of differing cases. Excellent with clients. First choice counsel in London and the surrounding areas.” – Legal 500 UK 2021

“Very studious and a man whom juries trust.” “A very knowledgeable and experienced junior” who is “hard-working and diligent in case preparation.” – Chambers UK 2021

“A superb junior – thorough and astute.” “He’s very knowledgeable and experienced.” – Chambers UK 2021

“An excellent barrister who is both erudite and eloquent, and who exercises great tactical judgement. He is adept at handling tricky clients in a robust but sensitive way.” and “As a man of few but well-chosen words, he has gravitas.” – Chambers UK 2020

“Peter has a fantastic eye for detail, especially when dealing with large paper caseloads.” and “An excellent trial advocate who does detailed case preparation and is excellent with clients.” – Chambers and Partners 2020

“He exudes quiet authority.” – Legal 500 2020

“Very good at detailed financial crime cases and brilliant with clients.” – Chambers and Partners 2019

“He is very, very astute and tactically savvy.” – Chambers and Partners 2019

“Even with impossible cases and nightmare lay clients, he is effective with limited tools.” – Legal 500, 2019

“Excellent in and out of court, with a very practical approach and great client care skills” – Legal 500, 2017

“He is very thorough and has a good strategic eye in fraud cases.” – Legal 500, 2017