Leo Seelig
Call: 2007
Personal profile
Leo prosecutes and defends in Crime and Business Crime, advising on and usually appearing as lead counsel in large, multi-handed cases involving complex, technical and sensitive evidence.
He is experienced in dealing with trials arising from proactive investigations spanning a number of years, and those which involve sensitive investigative techniques.
Recent instructions include—
- The Golders Green Hatzola ambulance arson attack.
- R-v-S concerning an allegation of terrorism funding for ISIS in Syria.
- R-v-E concerning an allegation of inviting support for a proscribed terrorist organisation.
- Op Jugavail – a five-handed shooting in north London and Op Lynxpal, a drive-by shooting outside a church using the same firearm.
- R-v-K,D,M,G and J – allegations of money laundering arising from Operation Destablise, the NCA’s disruption of a multi-billion dollar money laundering network.
- R-v-X,Y – conspiracies to important automatic weapons and ammunition into the UK.
- R-v-PH – facilitation of live-streamed child abuse in the Philippines.
Leo is instructed to appear in the High Court in sensitive ex parte matters. He is direct access accredited and has sat as a Recorder of the Crown Court since 2022.
Recommendations
― Chambers UK (2027)Leo is an exceptional prosecutor - fair, measured and calm. Judges and juries listen to him in court
― Chambers UK (2027)Utterly outstanding
― Chambers & Partners (2026)Leo Seelig is excellent and very impressive.
― Chambers & Partners (2026)He is a very persuasive and engaging advocate.
― Legal 500 (2026)Superb counsel.
― Legal 500 (2025)Leo is an exceptional advocate with sound judgement.
― Chambers UK (2023)A diligent counsel who gets on top of new developments in a case quickly and never loses his head.
― Chambers UK (2022)Very competent, fair and balanced when prosecuting. He works hard and understands how to cut through the detail in complicated cases.
― Legal 500 (2022)He prepares meticulously, and the attention to detail which you see in his paperwork no doubt gives him the confidence which is obvious as soon as he gets to his feet. He has a dry sense of humour which he can deploy to devastating effect.
― Legal 500 (2022)Judges immediately sense they can trust him; witnesses realise that if they are lying they are going to be exposed; juries love him. He has a wide ranging practice in general crime.
― Legal 500 (2021)Very bright, with a calm and compelling court manner. A classic cross-examination style which was very effective.
Crime
Ranked as a leading barrister in legal directories, Leo practises in all areas of criminal and regulatory law.
Featured Cases
- Op Wheelswarf – leading counsel; facilitation of international child sexual abuse.
- Op Bemat – terrorism.
- Op Mainferre – leading counsel; importation of firearms.
- Op Beefin – leading counsel; importation of firearms.
- R-v-B,M,H and A – leading counsel; drugs conspiracies.
- R-v-K – attempt murder.
- Op Jawfallen – leading counsel; people smuggling.
- R-v-A&A – leading counsel; firearms conversion.
- Op Frizington – leading counsel; 10-handed drugs conspiracy.
- R-v-H, A & S – leading counsel; importation of drugs.
- Op Pancetta – leading counsel; firearms.
- Op Jugavial – 5-handed attempt murder.
- Op Gnathonize 1 – leading counsel; conspiracies to import drugs ([2022] EWCA Crim 1575).
- Op Chaguar – terrorism ([2023] EWCA Crim 928).
- Op Gnathonize 2 – leading counsel; money laundering.
- Op Metatarse – terrorism.
- Op Boswellian – preparation of terrorist acts ([2021] EWCA Crim 39)
- Op Snowangel – leading counsel; 8-handed conspiracy to rob.
- Op Broad – leading counsel; conspiracies to supply drugs.
- Op Chueen – leading counsel; 14-handed conspiracy to supply drugs.
- Op Donezteba – leading counsel; attempted murder.
- Op Kakapo – terrorist financing.
- R-P&P – police corruption.
- R-v-R – infant murder.
- R-v-Jiang – fraud / money laundering.
- Op Dalmas – 8-handed £12m fraud.
Education
- Bar Vocational Course
- Graduate Diploma in Law
- MSc Medical Anthropology, University of Oxford
- BSc Biology, University of Leeds: First Class Honours
Awards
- Wolfson Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
- Sir Thomas More Bursary, Lincoln’s Inn
- Hardwicke Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
Professional Appointments
- Recorder of the Crown Court (2022)
Memberships
- Serious Crime Group Specialist Panel Member
- Fraud Specialist Panel Member
- Counter-terrorism Specialist Panel Member
- Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Specialist Panel Member
- Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
- CBA
- South Eastern Circuit