Syam Soni
Call: 2015
Syam Soni
Honourable Society of Lincolns Inn
Criminal Bar Association (CBA)
Society of Asian Lawyers
Mentor at Queer Lawyers of Tomorrow
Amicus ALJ
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 / 0113 246 2600
A dedicated criminal defence specialist with a nationwide practice, Syam has developed a reputation for consistently delivering excellence for clients across the spectrum of criminal allegations. From conspiracy to murder to burglary, Syam is fearless in his representation of all clients.
Syam has represented those accused of some of the most serious offences, as well as leading business professionals, CEOs and even nobility.
Syam had a successful career in the banking industry prior to the Bar. He also volunteered on Death Row in Houston, Texas, following which he studied Astronomy and Philosophy in Boston, MA.
Syam is multilingual- fluent in Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi- and authorised to accept instructions from members of the public.
Reputation
Syam is ranked in the Legal 500:
“Syam Soni has exceptional legal acumen” (2025)
Syam has provided training to solicitors, local authorities and universities on a range of legal matters including:
• Advocacy/case presentation
• The rules of evidence (bad character, hearsay etc.)
• The disclosure regime and best practices
Syam is part of the South-Eastern Circuit (SEC) delegation due to visit Gainesville, Florida, in 2022 to assist with the training of US lawyers.
Expertise
Syam is experienced both as a led junior and junior alone and is regularly instructed in complex and heavyweight cases including:
- conspiracy to murder
- serious violence (offences up to and including attempted murder)
- rape and serious sexual offences
- serious firearms allegations
- multi-million pound drugs supply conspiracies
Notable Cases
Operation Phantom (Bolton CC, 2024): Syam was instructed to defend complex POCA proceedings where the defendant was said to have benefited to the value of approximately £10 million arising from a large-scale conspiracy to supply drugs. Through forensic analysis and careful negotiation, Syam was able to halve both the alleged benefit and available amounts to achieve the most favourable outcome for his client.
Operation M (Birmingham CC,2023): prosecuted by KC in case concerning drugs supply conspiracy worth hundreds of thousands of Pounds.
Operation D (Teesside CC, 2023): representing defendant accused of large-scale fraud targeting vulnerable customers
York CC,2023: represented at retrial a man accused of raping his former partner. Syam succeeded in making targeted and focused submissions as well as robustly challenging the fairness of the prosecution. The jury acquitted within an hour.
Operation S (Central Criminal Court, 2022): led junior in conspiracy to murder, possession of firearms with intent to endanger life, possession of Class A drugs etc. Cross-examined the leading Prosecution EncroChat expert
Operation M (Manchester CC, 2022): defended man charged with multi-million Pound drugs importation conspiracy involving EncroChat
R v G (Leeds CC, ongoing): defending man accused of serious sexual offences against a child
R v C (Basildon CC, 2021): represented defendant charged with possessing indecent and extreme images. Avoided Newton Hearing and secured community order where custody otherwise inevitable
R v B (Kingston CC, 2021): s.18- defended woman with complex mental health difficulties accused of throwing boiling water in the face of a care worker
R v S (Isleworth CC, 2021): acquittal in serious violent disorder (later affray) involving 25 people armed with swords in a residential neighbourhood
R v M (Snaresbrook CC, 2021): secured suspended sentence for PWITS Class A where the expectation was that D would receive a sentence of immediate custody of significant length
Clerks
