Overview
Peter Glenser KC is a senior criminal barrister specialising in the most serious cases, including murder, serious violence and firearms offences.
He is widely recognised as one of the leading authorities in England and Wales on firearms law and licensing, and is described in the legal directories as “the pre-eminent practitioner in cases concerning firearms licensing.” He is regularly instructed in both criminal trials and appellate matters involving firearms, including cases requiring detailed technical and evidential analysis.
His practice spans the full range of serious crime, acting for both prosecution and defence in complex, multi-handed and high-profile cases. He is an experienced jury advocate, frequently instructed in cases involving sensitive evidence, expert testimony and significant public interest.
Alongside his criminal practice, he undertakes specialist advisory work in firearms law, particularly in relation to licensing decisions, regulatory enforcement and the interface between criminal and administrative decision-making. He is also regularly instructed in matters involving international clients requiring advice on UK firearms law and compliance.
These instructions include advice for overseas individuals as well as corporate bodies, including US-based clients, in relation to firearms licensing, eligibility and lawful participation in shooting and hunting activities in the United Kingdom.
Peter has a long-standing involvement in the governance and regulation of shooting in the UK. He served for ten years on the Council of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, including as Chairman until 2019, and is now a Vice President. He is also a member of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers.
He is instructed in matters across England and Wales and is known for his clarity of analysis, strategic judgment and effectiveness in complex and high-stakes litigation.
Notable Cases
R v L, 2019
Represented the defendant in three trials in 2019. He was a former army and police officer who worked at the MoD Smalls Arms School Corps Collection. Accused of wholesale theft of firearms from the collection over many years. He was acquitted of most counts at trial one with the jury undecided on 4 counts. The weapons involved included semi-automatic assault rifles, pistols and military sniper rifles. Retrial on 4 counts and then a firearms trial in relation to possession of a semi-automatic military pistol. Following a ruling before trial after several days of legal argument the defendant pleaded to this count. Instead of the mandatory minimum 5 years he was sentenced to 6 months for this particular offence.
Winchester Crown Court
See report here
R v M, 2019
Successful defence of gun club member for alleged breaches of licensing provisions regarding the storage of black powder revolvers.
Peterborough Crown Court
R v M, 2019
Defendant was a firearms manufacturer who inadvertently imported S5 shotguns from America, a strict liability offence with a mandatory minimum of 5 years. Complicated issues of fact and law about where any sale conducted over the internet had taken place and whether there was in fact a sale where the firearms had been intercepted before delivery. After legal argument he received a conditional discharge. The Defendant has a very successful business making high quality firearms which employs a number of people. Despite his eventual plea he kept his business and his personal certificates.
Isleworth Crown Court
FirearmsR v K, 2020
Prosecuting a trial where the defendant was charged with the illegal import and export of critically endangered European eels. Peter, leading Sean Sullivan, was instructed by the CPS Specialist Fraud Division after an investigation conducted by the National Crime Agency. European eels are considered so endangered that they are subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and there is a strict prohibition on exporting them to outside of the European Union. The offences spanned a two year period and involved 16 prohibited exports consisting of over 5 million elvers with an eventual retail value in the Far East of over £53 million. The defendant was found guilty of all offences.
Southwark Crown Court
See report here
CrimeR-v-ZR and others, 2021
Defended the alleged gunman in a drive-by shooting which resulted in the death of a bystander.
Preston Crown Court
R-v-LW and others (January - May 2021)
Defended LW who was accused of the murder of Miguel Reynolds, conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to possess a prohibited firearm and conspiracy to possess ammunition. This was a complex multi-handed trial where LW was accused of being the gunman.
Liverpool Crown Court
R v TM, 2020
Prosecuted Tamer Moustafa who was charged with murdering his wife and neighbour when he was high on cocaine. Following a nine day trial the defendant was found guilty. The defendant was given a life sentence.
Birmingham Crown Court
Read more on BBC News
R v M, 2020
Peter Glenser KC, leading Sean Sullivan, successfully appeared for the prosecution in the East Croydon Railway Murder in Sept and Oct 2020.
Murder and ManslaughterNews
View all
Achievements
- Western and Northern Circuits
- Association of Military Courts Advocates
- Criminal Bar Association
- Dulwich College, Southampton University
- Inns of Court School of Law
- Bar Vocational Course 1993
"Peter is very user-friendly; clients absolutely love him. He has a great sense of humour which helps with a lot of legal work and gets straight to the heart of the matter as well." Chambers and Partners, 2025
"Peter is brilliant in court and provides excellent advice. His work is of excellent quality." Chambers and Partners, 2025
"Peter is a devastating cross-examiner, who is loved by juries." Chambers and Partners, 2025
"He really is the quintessential expert when dealing with serious licensing matters, especially with firearms." Chambers and Partners, 2025
"Peter is a brilliant advocate who delivers with flair and precision." Legal 500, 2025
"Peter is brilliant in court and provides excellent advice. His work is of excellent quality." Chambers and Partners, 2025
“He’s adept at winning over professional tribunals and is great both in terms of his paperwork and his performances on his feet.” Chambers and Partners, 2020
“Very impressive with his examination of witnesses” Legal 500, 2020
“Easy to work with, accessible and very knowledgeable about firearms.” Chambers and Partners, 2020
“Extremely good with lay clients and on his feet. His manner with clients gives him an edge – he is superb in how he commands respect.” Chambers and Partners, 2019
“Very persuasive and someone with a good court manner, he gets on well with judges at court.” Chambers and Partners, 2019
“Excellent with lay clients, and a skilled and formidable advocate.” Legal 500, 2017
“Has cornered the market in firearms licensing, and regularly defends private clients who have breached firearm licence requirements. He is praised for the depth of his knowledge of this area.” Chambers and Partners, 2018
“A lawyer with a good network of connections in the firearms community” who is “approachable, amenable and always well liked by clients.” Chambers and Partners, 2018
“An extremely good advocate before tribunals.” Legal 500, 2016