Owen is the joint Head of the Criminal team at Linenhall Chambers. He specialises in crime and regulatory law and is consistently ranked in Chambers UK and the Legal 500 as a leading criminal barrister.
Having established an exceptionally strong junior practice Owen became a level 4 prosecutor in 2002 and is a member of the CPS serious Organised Crime Panel. He is regularly instructed as a leading junior for both the Defence and Prosecution.
He has lectured on several topics and coordinates advocacy training for new practitioners.
Owen is instructed in several high profile and difficult cases including homicide, drugs conspiracies, serious sexual offences, frauds, regulatory matters, inquest, driving and health and safety fatalities.
Owen acts in insurance funded cases nationally and has experience of appearing in inquests.
Owen has a significant private practice with clients praising his calm, approachable manner, and his Courtroom skills.
Owen is a Welsh speaker and can conduct trials in Welsh.
Murder:
R -v- Orlando Santos – Double murder
Operation Tee – Hale Village Shooting
Regulatory:
Powys CC -v- Proctor – Health & Safety fatality
R v Kings Scaffolding – Corporate manslaughter prosecution
Drugs Conspiracies:
Operation Metaphrase – Leeds Crown
Operation Barometer – Chester Crown
2016 -2020:
R v H – Successful defence of officer at Court Martial (Colchester)
R v E – Defence Counsel for trainee teacher acquitted of rape (Mold Crown Court)
Operation Educe – Leading Defence Junior in case involving allegations of sexual and physical violence over two decades in five countries. (Mold Crown)
Operation Triplane – Successful prosecution of the Chester jogger rape (Chester Crown)
R v Andrews – Leading Prosecution Junior in the high profile six-week trial of a senior police officer accused of a course of harassment against former partners (Manchester Crown)
Operation Measure – Successful defence of young man of good character charged with involvement in major cocaine conspiracy (Caernarfon Crown)
Operation Palliall – Defence Counsel for former Radio City DJ in high profile eight-week child abuse trial (Mold Crown)
R v Barry Bennell – Successful prosecution of the Manchester City and Crewe Alexandra youth coach at the heart of the football abuse scandal (with Nicholas Johnson QC Liverpool Crown)
R v Ian Naude – Leading Prosecution Junior in the successful prosecution of a police officer who committed paedophile offences throughout England and Wales (Liverpool Crown)
Halton BC v Miles and Gilbert- Successful Trading Standards Prosecution involving finding of fact trial (Liverpool Crown)
R v JC – Successful defence of young man whose acquittal featured in the disclosure scandal relating to sexual offences (Chester Crown Court)
R v SM – Sole counsel defending in trial of an issue in a murder committed by Polish builder prosecuted by Richard Pratt QC
2020-2022:
R v Burrows – Successful prosecution in gross negligence manslaughter trial involving home carer (Liverpool Crown)
R v Barry Bennell – Further prosecution of Bennell as leading junior (Chester Crown)
R v Stephenson – Successful defence in death by careless driving case (Swansea Crown followed by Inquest at Haverfordwest)
R v Thomas – Successful defence in death by careless driving trial (Mold Crown)
R v Dr Ahmed Darwish – Successful defence in death by dangerous driving trial (Cardiff Crown)
R v B – Successful defence in historic sexual abuse trial (St Albans Crown)
R v Wilkinson – Successful defence in murder trial, defendant having earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter (Chester Crown led by David Elias QC)
Operation Casino 1 and 2- Successful prosecution in drugs and guns conspiracy (Liverpool Crown)
Cardiff University LLB
Inns of Court School of Law, London
Qualified Advocacy Trainer, Trainer of Ministry of Prosecution at Oman 2018.
Member of Lincoln’s Inn
Circuit Representative of the Criminal Bar Association
Level 4 Prosecutor 2002
Member of the Specialist Advocacy Panel for the Serious Crime Group
Joint Head of the Criminal Team at Linenhall Chambers
Owen Edwards is ranked as a leading individual in both the Legal 500 (2019, 20, 21, 22 and 23) and Chambers and Partners UK (2020, 21, 22 and 23).
Owen is recognised as a KC in the Legal 500 2023 rankings
Legal 500 Owen Edwards KC – Linenhall Chambers ‘His advocacy is forceful and persuasive. Hard working, eloquent and loved by juries. A bright star.’
Chambers & Partners “Owen is a brilliant cross-examiner and keeps the attention of the courtroom. He is highly respected by judges, opponents and colleagues alike. I highly recommend him for any serious case.”
