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Steven Perian KC

Steven Perian KC. FCIArb

Call: 1987; High Court of Malaya
Silk: 2016

Overview

Steven Perian KC FCIArb stands as a towering figure in the legal arena, recognised for his outstanding contributions and excellence as a King's Counsel in Crime in London. Consistently recognised as a leading Silk in the Legal 500, his career is a tapestry woven with remarkable achievements and substantial impacts on the field of law. It reflects a career steeped in defending and prosecuting the most serious criminal offences.

Steven is renowned for his outstanding work as a prosecutor in a series of high-profile and compelling cases. His remarkable courtroom expertise has led to successful convictions and captured the attention of both local and international media. He has appeared on Sky Crime’s Killer in My Village series, discussing a prominent murder case he prosecuted. These cases, extensively covered by the press, stand as a powerful testament to his unwavering commitment to upholding the law and delivering justice on a global scale.

As a Fellow of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), an affiliate of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, and a member of the Civil Mediation Council, Steven Perian’s commitment to legal excellence is truly international. His work in international arbitration and his role as a Commercial Mediator in both the UK and Malaysia underscore his dedication to fostering global justice. This commitment is further highlighted by his position on the Panel of Advocates for the International Criminal Court, reflecting his expertise and influence in the field.

A trailblazer in legal history, Steven achieved the unprecedented feat of being the first and only English KC called to the High Court of Malaya.

In Malaysia, he is a partner at the prestigious law firm Rosli Dahlan and Saravana Partnership, where he leads the economic crime practice. His expertise is highly sought after by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Bar Association, where he regularly delivers lectures on advocacy and anti-money laundering, further solidifying his influence within the global legal arena.

He is a member of the Inns of Court Malaysia (ICM), a distinguished society of judges, lawyers, jurists, legal academics, and other legal professionals from diverse backgrounds. The ICM is united by a shared mission of promoting professional legal excellence across all levels of the legal field.

Steven was formerly a Senior Crown Prosecutor, for Special Casework Division (London) and a part-time law lecturer.

Beyond his role as a legal luminary, Steven is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of legal talent. His dedication shines through in his advocacy and vulnerability training for Pupils and New Practitioners at Lincoln’s Inn, where he imparts invaluable skills and insights. He also serves as an Advisory Committee Member for the Asian Law Students’ Association United Kingdom (ALSA UK), further solidifying his commitment to supporting and inspiring emerging legal professionals.

Outside the courtroom, Steven is a compassionate humanitarian actively engaged with charitable organisations. As a member of Tamil Rise, he brings together Tamil entrepreneurs and professionals from over 30 countries, working to elevate the global profile of the Tamil community in the 21st century.

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

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

Attempted Murder

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
  • International and UK Civil and Commercial Mediation

Education

  • LLB(Hons)
  • Diploma in International Arbitration
  • Trained in Civil and Commercial Mediation.

Memberships

• Member of Lincoln’s Inn and Inner Temple.
• Member of the Panel of Advocates at the International Criminal Court.
• 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 United Kingdom.
• Bar Council United Kingdom.
• Malaysian Bar Council (Malaysia)
• Kuala Lumpur Bar
• Civil and Commercial Mediator (Malaysia).
• Inns of Court Malaysia.
• British Malaysian Society (Ex Co)
• The RISE

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 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

13 Jan 2025

The Doctrine of Harmonious Construction: A Malaysian Legal Perspective.

Steven Perian KC's article on The Doctrine of Harmonious Construction: A Malaysian Legal Perspective has been published in the Law Review of Thompson and...

The Doctrine of Harmonious Construction: A Malaysian Legal Perspective.
6 Jan 2025

The Law of Defamation in Malaysia: essential elements, defence, and remedies.

Steven Perian KC's article on the Law of Defamation in Malaysia has been published in CLJ.  Designed as a practical SWOT ( success without...

The Law of Defamation in Malaysia: essential elements, defence, and remedies.
12 Nov 2024

Steven Perian KC nominated for Asian Legal Award 2024

Steven Perian KC has been nominated for the Criminal Lawyer of the Year 2024 award at the Asian Legal Awards, organised by the Society...

Steven Perian KC nominated for Asian Legal Award 2024
1 Nov 2024

Steven Perian KC guest speaker at Faculty of Law, UiTM

Steven Perian KC is amongst the guest speakers at an Alumni Insights from the Bench and a Glimpse into Legal Aid talk on 9...

Steven Perian KC guest speaker at Faculty of Law, UiTM
11 Oct 2024

Legal 500 Rankings 2025

Mr Steven Perian KC is ranked as Leading Silk in the 2025 Legal 500 Rankings.

Legal 500 Rankings 2025
2 Oct 2024

Steven Perian KC appointed to the Advisory Committee of the Asian Law Students Association United Kingdom (ALSA UK)

Effective from 1st September 2024, Steven Perian KC has received an honorary appointment to the Advisory Committee of the Asian Law Students Association United...

Steven Perian KC appointed to the Advisory Committee of the Asian Law Students Association United Kingdom (ALSA UK)
Contact

Daren Milton

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