“He is extremely experienced, intelligent and an excellent tactical thinker.” Crime – Chambers and Partners, 2025

“His court craft is excellent and he prioritises communication with his lay clients, going above and beyond in preparation.” Crime – Chambers and Partners, 2025

“His legal knowledge and flare in court stands out.” Crime – Chambers and Partners, 2025

“He is in high demand by career criminals and typically involved in cases involving violence, guns and drugs.” Crime – Chambers and Partners, 2025

“Ian McMeekin is a vastly experienced criminal practitioner with a reputation for strong defence advocacy and broad expertise in serious crime cases. He has handled murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery and sexual offences, as well as large-scale fraud and terrorism charges.” Crime – Chambers and Partners, 2024

Recommended in Legal 500, 2024 – Crime (General and Fraud)

“Ian is highly regarded by the judiciary and clients.” Chambers & Partners, 2023

“He has a lot of empathy.” Chambers & Partners, 2023

“He has an outstanding manner with juries and judges. He really gets to the heart of the case.” Chambers & Partners, 2021

“Vastly experienced criminal practitioner with a reputation for strong defence advocacy and broad expertise of serious crime cases. He has handled murder, drug trafficking and sexual offences, as well as large-scale fraud and terrorism.

“A first-class performer, both in preparatory terms and as an advocate. Totally approachable, friendly and supportive, but with an incredible eye for detail and exceptionally hard-working. His written work is of the highest order.” – Chambers & Partners, 2017

“He has very good ring-craft and gets a good feel for a case. He has bags of experience.” – Chambers & Partners, 2016

Ian McMeekin was called to the bar in 1987. He joined Lincoln House Chambers in 2008 and has since built a practice defending in all areas of serious criminal offences, including high-profile drug trafficking and related crime, murder, fraud, terrorist offences, armed robbery and sexual offences.

Ian specialises in drug trafficking offences and has been involved in most of the largest cases in the North West over the last fifteen years, working as both junior to silks and lead junior, many of which have focused on abuse of process and failures in the disclosure process.

Ian is currently defending in the Massey/Kinsella murder, one of the largest joint operations in Manchester and Merseyside to date.

Drug Related Offences

R v JD and others – Large scale importation of tonnes of class ‘A’ drugs. Liverpool CC.

R v H and others – Importation of tonnes of cocaine from S. America. Birmingham CC.

R v LT and others – Importation of tonnes of cannabis – largest on record. Manchester CC.

R v WM and others – Wholesale national distribution of cocaine. Mold CC.

R v TG-S and others – Duty fraud and tobacco importation. Manchester CC.

R v PD and others – Head of OCG – large scale distribution of class ‘A’ and ‘B’. Manchester CC.

Murder

R v MF and another – Double murder (“assassination” of Paul Massey and John Kinsella –ongoing.) Liverpool CC.

R v LA and others [‘The Gooch trial’] – Double murder against drugs background. Liverpool CC.

R v MJ and others [‘The Cregan trial’] – MJ acquitted of murder following ‘cut-throat’ defence. Preston CC.

R v C and others – Multi-handed murder in Stafford CC – gangland murder.

R v RA – Murder (stabbing). Manchester CC.

R v SW – Drug-related murder and escape from prison. Liverpool CC.

R v ND – Drug-related shooting. Manchester CC.

R v MJ – Murder (drug-related stabbing). Manchester CC.

R v AW and others –Quadruple murder (‘The Walkden arson trial’). Manchester CC.

Terrorist Cases

R v MJ and others – Plot to murder UK and US soldiers in Afghanistan. Manchester CC.

R v MJ and others – Appeal of R v Farooqi and others – reported case. London RCJ.

R v AM – Preparing for acts of terrorism in Syria.