Overview
Steven Perian KC FCIArb is a distinguished King’s Counsel with an outstanding reputation in serious and complex crime, international arbitration, and cross-border dispute resolution. With over three decades of experience, he provides strategic, results-driven advocacy across multiple jurisdictions, particularly in complex commercial fraud, international arbitration, and high-stakes criminal matters.
Recognised for his intellectual rigour and strategic thinking, Steven is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) (FCIArb), a member of the Civil Mediation Council (UK), and an accredited mediator with the Malaysian Mediation Centre. He is also a panel arbitrator and mediator at the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), and a listed counsel at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Steven has advised government and multinational corporations in matters involving high-value commercial fraud, corruption, third-party funder liability, and international enforcement.
His insight into commercial wrongdoing and international legal frameworks has earned him the confidence of clients involved in complex, sensitive, and high-value matters.
The Legal 500 UK notes:
“Steven is very meticulous, experienced and articulate. A well-respected advocate.”
“Steven is a very accomplished barrister. He is patient and gets along with his clients”
“An industrious, approachable and charming silk.”
“He has an analytical mind and an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law.”
“He is able to get to the core of the case.”
Steven made history as the first English King’s Counsel to be admitted to the High Court of Malaya, further cementing his reputation as a pioneering figure in the global legal profession. He divides his practice between England, Dubai and Malaysia and leads the Economic Crime practice at Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership (RDS) in Kuala Lumpur.
In 2025, he was appointed to the Malaysian Criminal Law Reform Committee by the Minister of Law and Institutional Reforms and continues to play an active role.
A compelling advocate and trusted adviser, Steven also serves as a legal educator, published author, and mentor. He is regularly involved in advocacy and ethics training at Lincoln’s Inn in England and frequently delivers lectures on advocacy, fraud, corruption, and other legal topics in Malaysia and international forums.
Steven has published articles on a range of subjects—including arbitration, criminal procedure, and international enforcement—in respected legal journals, including, The Current Law Journal and The Law Review by Thomson Reuters Malaysia.
Known for his clarity, insight, and signature humour, Steven is deeply committed to mentoring aspiring lawyers, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, and remains a dedicated advocate for the next generation of legal professionals.
Steven is also active in community and charitable initiatives and serves on advisory boards including ALSA UK, supporting the next generation of legal talent.
Media Recognition.
Steven Perian KC’s exceptional courtroom skills and unwavering dedication have attracted widespread recognition across both local and international media. His distinguished career includes a series of high-profile cases that have captured public attention and demonstrated his mastery of complex and sensitive matters.
Among these was the Shaye Groves case, featured in the Sky TV documentary series Killer in My Village (Series 7, Episode 7), where he appeared on-screen offering expert commentary. He has also been interviewed by various media outlets, including Lyca Radio, on wider legal and professional issues.
Regularly invited to share his insights as a keynote speaker, panellist, and moderator at leading legal forums in the UK and internationally, Steven continues to be recognised for his authority and thought leadership in the field.
Crime – defence
Abuse of Power Charges
Appeared before the Malaysian Court of Appeal on behalf of Malaysia’s 8th Prime Minister
https://focusmalaysia.my/muhyiddin-prepares-for-legal-battle-with-uks-steven-perian-leading-defence/
https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/717830
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/710847
Murders
- R -v- A.S & Others– The murder of Joseph Marafini. AS acquitted following successful submission of no case to answer.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/ce73e14rlz3t
- R -v- L D & others – the murder of Daniel Adger in South Ockendon – LD acquitted of murder.
https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/20-year-old-man-been-1316855
http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/news/crime-court/dagenham-man-admits-murder-after-machete-attack-in-south-ockendon-1-5426805 - R-v- K P – the murder of Danny Myers in Clacton. http://tinyurl.com/y7e5c8an
http://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/clacton-murderer-jailed-life-after432741 - R-v- C T & others – Eight defendants charged with the murder of Che-Labastide Wellington who was stabbed in the heart as he left a party.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/che-labastidewellington-murder-trial-teenager-stabbed-in-the-heart-by-mob-of-youths-while-fleeing-a3338226.html
http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/crime-court/che-labastide-wellington-17-hunted-down-and-stabbed-to-death-by-small-army-in-kenton-1-4686616 - R-v-J A & others – JAcharged with the murder and manslaughter of David Darko. The case concerned the stabbing to death of DD in a park in South Norwood after a drug deal went wrong. The co-defendant was found guilty of DD’s murder.
http://tinyurl.com/j8ngfw2
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/man-guilty-of-murder-of-david-darko-who-was-stabbed-to-death-in-croydon-park-a3305161.html - R v T B & others – The murder of Andrew McGowan in Great Yarmouth. TB acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter. Co-defendant convicted of murder.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-36327094
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-37244529 - R v M S & others – Conspiracy to commit murder arising from a shooting in Hertfordshire. The case occupied the court for 10 weeks with Smith being the only defendant acquitted.
https://tinyurl.com/ydct4t88
http://www.heart.co.uk/watfordhemel/news/local/convictions-after-south-oxhey-shooting/
http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/four-men-jailed-bungled-south-867644
http://www.heart.co.uk/watfordhemel/news/local/convictions-after-south-oxhey-shooting/
http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/four-men-jailed-bungled-south-867644 - R v S I & others – female defendant accused of luring a young man to a group who waited to stab the victim to death.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3249311/Girl-lured-bright-student-death-ferocious-attack.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-34021888 - R v G –man charged with killing a pedestrian with a single punch to the head following an altercation over the defendant’s friend cycling on the pavement.
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/feb/26/bournemouth-man-jailed-kill-punch
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2567496/Pictured-Shocking-moment-doting-son-killed-single-punch-head-row-cycling-pavement-killer-jailed-just-four-half-years.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10661790/One-punch-killer-sentence-a-joke-says-victims-mother.html - R v K man charged with a double murder following a two-week period of attacks on victims in a London woodland in early 2011.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2146328/Ali-Koc-Sadistic-killer-jailed-life-battering-OAPs-death-attacking-north-London.html?ITO=1490
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2132185/Ali-Koc-accused-bludgeoning-2-pensioners-death-injuring-7-month-long-orgy.html - R v D Smother who drove a stolen car whilst being unfit through drugs which resulted in the tragic death of her two young children and two friends.
- R v W et al– Murder and Child Cruelty case where the victim was the 5-year-old daughter of Mr W.
- R v H & 9 others – the murder of Danny O’Shea
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21356994
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/sports-agent-charged-with-murder-of-danny-oshea-in-canning-town-7880771.html - R v R J et al– execution style killing of reggae singer, Miss Tippa Irie and 2 others including rape.
- R v K H– Vietnamese man who killed his wife by stabbing her 14 times
- R v T B et al– 9 defendants involved in killing a Ugandan school boy)
- R v S K et al
Attempted Murders
- R v N(younger brother of famous disc jockey)
Rapes
- R v C
- R v B
Child Sexual Abuse
- Conspiracy to supply sexually explicit materials to underage children. Other charges:
- Indecency with children
- Rape
- Indecent Assaults
Fraud
- R v J et al(public sector fraud)
- R v A S(export of stolen cars from Europe for onward transmission via United Kingdom to Africa. Case involved participating informants, Interpol, Dutch police surveillance and Metropolitan Police)
- Advance fee fraud ($21.5 Million) mutual co-operation between FBI and City of London.
- Conspiracy to defraud (copyrights)
- Benefit, Police and DSS surveillance cases. Car ringing.
- Large scale money transfer offences involving International Investigation
Drugs
- Police undercover and surveillance operation involving the Supply / Importation (Customs and Excise) of Heroin, Cocaine, Cannabis – the latter valued at £1.5 million
Robbery
- Armed (guns and knives), Post office and Building Societies
Firearm Offences
- R v P– Large scale forgeries and counterfeiting. Largest haul of false passports and counterfeiting equipment in the last ten years in the South East of England.
Crime – Prosecution
Murder
- R v Shaye Groves, a serial killer-obsessed woman who brutally ended her partner’s life, broadcasting the crime to a friend. The trial gained widespread recognition internationally, featuring in True Crime narratives and on YouTube. Notably, Sky TV production of this trial as a documentary.
- Serial killer fan Shaye Groves jailed for murdering boyfriend – BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-64720003 - https://nypost.com/2023/01/20/shaye-groves-butchered-boyfriend-showed-pal-dead-body-prosecutors/
- True Crime Fan Turned Killer | Documentary | Shaye Groves
- R v LV- Death of a 6-week-old baby at the hands of the father of the child. After a 4-week trial, the jury convicted the accused of murder. The child died of a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain and was found to have suffered many other serious injuries.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-50156833
- R v A. A and C. C– The murder of a 20-year-old drug dealer at London, Colney in St Albans.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-48527277
- https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/17660327.murder-trial-underway-after-stabbing-in-london-colney/
- https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/17660478.dealer-from-walthamstow-stabbed-and-murdered-for-his-drugs-jury-told/
- R v V. M. & others – The murder of Kyle Yule in Gillingham (Kent) – the defendants were sentenced to a total of 88 years.
- http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2018-06-14/five-teenagers-jailed-for-total-of-88-years-for-the-murder-of-kyle-yule/
- https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/6481660/kyle-young-murder-gillingham-machete-gang/
- https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/teens-jailed-for-brutal-murder-184614/
Attempted Murder
- R v B and others.
- https://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/17546507.attempted-murder-gang-of-teens-deny-leaving-man-for-dead-in-knife-attack-during-late-night-rampage/
- R v A K– love crazed, besotted ex-boyfriend who stalked and stabbed his victim 13 times.
Fraud
- Operation Arad– A police investigation into large scale Internet Shopping Fraud. The fraud was valued in excess of £2 million and perpetrated by an international Romanian Organised Crime group.
- R v H and S.
Conspiracy to defraud U.K. financial institutions (US Treasury Bonds Worth $US 2.3 Trillion Dollars). - R v A V et.al(largest seizure of Illegal manufacture of Viagra) £6 Million.
- Conspiracy to obtain money transfer and property by deception from Price Waterhouse Cooper.
- Conspiracy to defraud Time Computers Plc by employees.
- Conspiracy to defraud Jaguar Motor Company and LEX PLC (£1,000,000.00)
- Conspiracy to defraud U.K. financial institutions (US Treasury Bonds Worth $US 55 billion).
- Conspiracy to defraud a charitable organisation (Black Charitable Organisation called The Abeng)
- Conspiracy to handle stolen goods (motorcycle ringing).
- Conspiracy to defraud the Vehicle Registration Office.
- Theft of £891,842.85 by employee from Halifax Building Society.
- Endangered Species EEC Regulation prosecution (Operation Charm).
- Handling of £490 Million of Stock Bonds.
- Conspiracy to clone credit cards (large scale credit card factories).
- Computer related crimes – in particular the use of computers and Internet in order to defraud.
Child Sexual Abuse
- Operation Fetteresso– Male rape and indecent assault on young children.
- R v GT
Unlawful sexual intercourse – 23 Counts of Indecent Assault. - R v M
15 counts of Indecent Assault by a retired Police Sergeant on 2 Granddaughters, 2 Step-Granddaughters and Gross-indecency on 2 Great Granddaughters - Child Cruelty and Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Indecent Assault on a Circuit Judge’s daughter.
Drugs
- Operation Barking(Joint investigation by Customs and Excise and the West Midlands Regional Drugs Task Force)
- Operation Jasel
- Operation Hong Kong– serious crime directorate
- Operation Razor(18 defendants selling drugs from the Kensal Rise Area)
- Operation Helium
- Operation Welling
- Informant Lead investigations – multi-handed (Public Interest Immunity cases)
Organised Crime
- R v B and W– guns and drugs (Special Projects Team)
- R v I. E, Z. E, H. E. and I. K(Special Projects)
Unusual Violence
- R v O and A, Juvenile defendants causing grievous bodily harm to a Muslim man who was on his way for Friday prayers to a mosque
- R v M S, J B(2-man crime wave who targeted vulnerable Jewish people where they used machetes and imitation firearms to rob them.
Robberies
- Operation Grapevine
- R v P et.al
- R v D.
- Armed robberies – multi-handed (P.I.I. cases)
- Rolex robberies- multi-handed
- R v S and others, Tamil gang members engaged in intense internal disputes. These conflicts expose a web of power struggles and rivalries, creating a compelling and secretive underworld drama.
Data Protection Act
- R v C– Misuse of Police National Computer
Indecent Images of Children
- R v H– senior employee of Norton Rose Solicitors downloads indecent images of children from the Internet.
Civil Work for Prosecution
- Appointment of Receivers on Fraud and Drug Trafficking cases (R v Pope Cr App. R.)
Other practice areas
- International Civil and Commercial Arbitration https://www.aiac.world/panellist/14459
- International and UK Civil and Commercial Mediation
Education and Professional Qualifications
• LLB(Hons)
• Diploma in International Arbitration (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK)
• Diploma in Corporate Governance by the Corporate Governance Institute.
• Professional Certificate in Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (London School of Economics)
• Professional Certificate in EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) by the Corporate Governance Institute.
Professional Affiliations - Memberships
• Member of Lincoln’s Inn.
• Member of Inner Temple.
• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) dealing with International Arbitration
• Civil Mediation Council (UK) Registered Civil and Commercial Mediator.
• Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (affiliate).
• Criminal Bar Association England.
• Bar Council United Kingdom.
• Civil and Commercial Mediator (Malaysia).
• Asian International Arbitration Centre (Kuala Lumpur)
• Malaysian Bar (Malaysia).
• Kuala Lumpur Bar (Malaysia)
• Member of Inns of Court Malaysia.
Practice Jurisdictions
• England and Wales
• Malaysia.
• Dubai, UAE.
Directory testimonials
The Legal 500 has said of Steven … ‘He is able to get to the core of the case’. ‘His practice includes a range of challenging homicide cases’ .‘Comfortable prosecuting and defending violent and sexual crime.’
The 2026 edition states:
- Steven Perian KC …”Steven is a very accomplished barrister. He is patient and gets along well with clients.”
The 2025 edition states:
- Steven Perian KC …“Steven is very meticulous, experienced and articulate. A well-respected advocate.”
The 2023 edition stated:
- Steven Perian KC …“An industrious, approachable and charming silk.”
The 2020 edition stated:
- Steven Perian KC … ”He has an analytical mind and an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law.”
https://www.legal500.com/firms/9655/offices/9655/lawyers/9024232
Steven delivered training to CPS [NBCPA members] in November and December 2019 on the law relating to bad character. https://www.nbcpa.org.uk/2019/12/nbcpa-law-discovery-sessions-nov-and-dec-2019/
Steven appeared in the 2018 edition of The Legal 500 where it said:
- Steven Perian KC… ‘‘He defends in murder cases.”
Awards
- 2013 and 2014 Steven named ‘Forensic Law Barrister of the Year’ by Acquisition International.
News
2025 Malaysia Legal Forum | 30 October – 1 November 2025
Chambers is pleased to announce that Steven Perian KC will be moderating a Special Session on Malaysian Constitutional Law, titled: “Conflict Management within Federalism and...
Legal 500 Rankings 2026
Mr Steven Perian KC is ranked as Leading Silk in the 2026 Legal 500 Rankings.
From Chaos to Clarity: Strategic Approach to Litigation & Arbitration – Steven Perian KC guest speaker at RDS General Counsel Forum 2025
Steven Perian KC is a guest speaker at the RDS General Counsel Forum on 28th October 2025 taking place at the Grand Ballroom, St...
Practising Law on the Global Stage: Insights from Steven Perian KC
Industry Specialist Seminar at Anglia Ruskin University on 15th October 2025 at 12 noon. Steven Perian KC is a leading King’s Counsel with over...
Steven Perian KC interviewed on Lyca Radio
Steven Perian KC was a guest on 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗩𝗮𝘇 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝘆𝗰𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼 on 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟳 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱. Listen again and tune...
The Importance of Pleading Actus Reus in Fraud & Abuse of Power Charges (Law Review, July 2025)
In his latest piece for The Law Review (Thomson Reuters Malaysia), Steven Perian KC examines the critical requirement for the prosecution to explicitly plead...
