Laurence Grant

I am a Consultant Solicitor at Duncan Lewis specialising in criminal defence.

I have extensive experience in a range of criminal defence matters including; murder and attempted murder; GBH and other assault matters; serious fraud; conspiracy to smuggle drugs; people trafficking; armed robbery and blackmail. I also have experience in handling more niche areas such as confiscation and motoring. I have defended cases investigated and prosecuted by SOCA, the NCA, HMRC, the Serious Fraud Office, UK Borders Agency, Economic Crime Units, the DWP, Local Authorities and Trading Standards.

Having represented clients in some of the most serious MTIC prosecutions of the last decade, I am recognised as a Grade A Fee Earner by the Complex Crimes Unit. Most recently I was the Grade A Fee Earner with conduct of the case of a Defendant prosecuted by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs on the first ever Carbon Credit Missing Trader VAT Fraud. I have represented clients at the police station since 1995 and recognising that informed and intelligent advice at the police station can make or break a case, continue to regularly attend on behalf of clients.

I have worked as a Consultant for Duncan Lewis since 2008. In 2012 with Simon Connolly, I was responsible for establishing a dedicated Proceeds of Crime and Fraud Unit which has resulted in Duncan Lewis Solicitors becoming recognised as one of the leading providers of advice and representation in this highly specialised area. The unit represents clients nationwide and particularly focuses on proceedings where the Crown seeks multi million pound benefit figures. Recent notable cases in this area include a landmark case where the Crown sought a benefit calculation based on the victim’s ‘slave’ wages and representation of a client listed on the SOCA ‘Toxic’ list following a conviction for money laundering using the ‘cuckoo smurfing’ method. The Unit works closely with selected Counsel and Forensic Accountants who specialise in this discipline and have achieved a number of outstanding results in reducing both benefit figures and available amounts.

• Consultant at Duncan Lewis 2008-present
• Self Employed Consultant 2002-2008
• Cabral and Co Solicitors 2000–2002
• Teresa Evans Solicitors 1997-2000
• Tyndallwoods Solicitors (Trainee 1995–1997)
• Admitted as a Solicitor 1997

• Recommended Lawyer - The Legal 500 UK, (2024 & 2022 - 2021)

Criminal Court

• R v H - This was the first ever Prosecution for Carbon Credit MTIC fraud and the loss to HM R and C was £38 million. The fraud resulted in the suspension of the trading system in Carbon Credits that the EU had adopted. Following a trial that spanned 5 months the Defendant was acquitted.


• R v A - Landmark Confiscation Case which followed a series of trials involving the trafficking and enslavement of a youth. The case was unique as the Crown alleged a benefit figure based on a calculation of wages during the victim’s enslavement.


• R v S - High profile terrorist case resulting from an attack on an Indian General who was in charge of Operation Blue Star in 1984 (Indian Government’s operation to take control of the Golden Temple.)


• R v Q - Operation Kinsfolk. Represented lead Defendant in Conspiracy to Supply Class A Prosecution, investigated by SOCA in Kent, Dorset and Wales. The Confiscation proceedings were particularly complex and had the unique feature of the Crown relying on a will to make assumptions under The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.


• R v D - Represented the wife of a notorious con man who had previously deceived the entire art world on an art forgery fraud. The Defendant and her husband both faced charges in these proceedings and the husband sacked 3 legal teams before ultimately standing trial on his own. The Defendant was acquitted following a trial that lasted from October until February.


• R v W - Represented lead Defendant in Operation Ginseng proceedings, one of biggest mobile phone MTIC investigations in the UK. Proceedings against the Defendant were discontinued following an aggressive strategy of pursuing disclosure.


• Appeal of F - Successfully represented Appellant in having conviction quashed following conviction for a number of Rape offences alleged by his daughter.


• R v Offen - Represented one of Appellants in R v Offen and others, reported case on Life Sentences 2000.


• R v J and N - As trainee solicitor part of the defence team that represented 2 Defendants charged with high profile murder in St Paul's Bristol, New Year's Eve 1995. Dealt with ID issues, case was reported on issue of consent for ID Parades after one Defendant was forcibly placed on an ID Parade.


• R v B - As trainee solicitor had day to day conduct of case where Defendant was charged with a series of murders, attempted murder, GBH with Intent and numerous assaults while working as a hostel warden in what was described as a 'Reign of Terror'. Following trial the Defendant was acquitted of all counts bar two ABH charges.

• Football
• American Football
• Fantasy Sports - I won the first News of the World Fantasy Football competition in the 1996/7 season
• Travel

• Policeman alongside wife who sold private information for profit may have to pay it all back (15 November 2017)