Lennart Poulsen
Introduction
Lennart is an international criminal barrister with an excellent reputation and over 15 years’ experience. He is recognised in the legal directories as a Leading Junior.
Lennart is regularly instructed to consult on some of the most high-profile matters and has extensive experience advising governments, international institutions and high-profile individuals. Recent instructions have involved advising Middle Eastern and African Heads of State and government ministers on matters of international criminal law and transitional justice. Lennart was the principal drafter of the underlying legal mandates, adopted by the Government of South Sudan in August 2023, for the establishment of its Commission on Truth, Reconciliation and Healing and Compensation and Reparations Authority.
He has defended in high-profile international cases including Prosecutor v Zupljanin at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and acted for several senior figures of the Jamaat opposition party in their defence for capital crimes before the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal.
Lennart is regularly sought after to lecture, speak at or chair panels at international conferences by the International Bar Association. He recently chaired an expert panel at a conference for the United Nations War Crimes Commission on the topic of universal jurisdiction. A recording of the panel discussion can be found here.
He has authored numerous articles for professional publications and for mainstream media on international law and recently featured in Counsel Magazine (the monthly journal of the General Council of the Bar of England and Wales) setting out his views on leadership in law.
Background and Expertise
Lennart has represented clients before various international criminal tribunals. He also has extensive experience in preparing legal submissions before the ICTY, ICC, the United Nation Human Rights Council and various United Nations Commissions and Working Groups. Further, Lennart has prepared legal submissions on behalf of non-governmental organisations, high-ranking military commanders and senior government figures on matters relating to international criminal law and human rights, often within the context of a complex domestic and geopolitical backdrop and/or conflict area.
Lennart specialises in drafting complex legal documents and legislation including constitutional drafting and the legal mandate underpinning the establishment of truth and reconciliation committees as adopted in several African, Asian and South American countries.
Lennart is also highly regarded for his trial advocacy and has represented clients in criminal trials in the senior courts of England & Wales in matters involving major drugs conspiracies and serious violent and sexual offences. He is a qualified and accredited Vulnerable Witness Advocate.
Lennart was selected in 2021 as one of a small group of successful applicants from across the Bar to take part in the Bar Council’s inaugural Leadership Programme – a landmark project requiring a 9-month commitment that resulted in a range of new leadership initiatives adopted and/or supported by the Bar Council.
In addition to his core international practice, Lennart was instructed as a junior for one of the Core Participants in the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry on which he was instructed by DWF.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Lennart qualified as a solicitor at Clifford Chance.
Read more AREAS OF EXPERTISE
NOTABLE CASES (England & Wales)
Advising on evidence and statements of witnesses and/or suspects on behalf of local authority.
Instructed as junior counsel for one of the Core Participants in the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry. Inquiry now closed.
Complex commercial fraud claim for damages amounting to £2.2bn (led by Steven Kay KC). Settled.
Defended in drugs case involving large-scale police sting operation.
Case profiled in the Oxford Times.
Case in Leicester Crown Court, concerning a sexual offence allegation against a minor.
Defendant accused of a range of serious violent offences, including GBH, at St Albans Crown Court. Acquitted on all counts.
Defendant accused of theft/breach of trust from employer. Defendant acquitted.
Publications
As sole author:
As co-author:
- Sanctions listing to lifting, Money Laundering Bulletin 2015
- Bangladesh’s Contribution to International Criminal Justice, Huffington Post UK, 22 July 2014
- Bangladeshi Tribunals Are Characterized By Vengeance, Not Justice, The Daily Caller, 20 May 2014
- Imperfect justice in Bangladeshi war crimes tribunals, The Daily Caller, 30 January 2014
LANGUAGES
- Danish (Fluent)
- German (Intermediate)
- Turkish (Learning)
Professional Recognitions
Legal 500 (2024) – Leading Junior Ranked: Tier 3
“Lennart consistently produces a high quality of work and demonstrates a thorough understanding of the issues. A pleasure to work with" (Senior Solicitor at international law firm)
“Diligent and extremely responsive, with a real attention to detail. (Senior Solicitor at international law firm)
Other Activities and Interests
- Guest speaker at international conference
- Contributor to legal articles and blogs on international criminal law

PROFILE: Lennart Poulsen
Year called
2006
Specialisms
Crime
Confiscation / POCA
Financial Crime
Fraud, Bribery & Corruption
Serious Crime
Sexual offences
Terrorism
Disciplinary
Inquests / public inquiries
International
Confiscation / POCA
Financial Crime
Fraud, Bribery & Corruption
Human rights law
Financial and Corporate law
Civil Fraud
Corporate Offences
Road Traffic
Road traffic
Direct access
Yes
Contact
020 7489 2727
Education
University of Warwick (LLM) – Distinction
Memberships
International Bar Association
Criminal Bar Association (England & Wales)
Recognition

