Your Criminal Defence Team

Our criminal defence team is committed to providing excellent service to clients in a timely and professional manner. During the course of the past 13 years, we have built an impeccable reputation for securing favourable outcomes in some of the most complicated cases. We are second to none when it comes to meticulously preparing our clients’ cases for any forthcoming hearings.

Our quality practice is not just built on our many years of expertise and knowledge, but what we feel is more important, is having the ability to fully understand our clients’ particular circumstances. We can assure you that each case is handled with due care and attention and you are regularly updated throughout the process.

Your Team

Our criminal department is able to deal with all criminal offences no matter how serious they may be. Mr Manzoor Ahmad  Shah, Duty Solicitor, and an accredited police station representative, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to advise and represent you, be it at the police station or in Court.

We have strong expertise in:

• Police Station representations;
• Magistrates’ Court matters;
• Crown Court matters; and
• The Appellate Courts matters.

Mr Shah has been highly praised by clients for his prompt and effective service from the beginning of the investigation, right through to the conclusion of the case, whether it be at the police station, the Magistrates’ Courts or the Crown Court.

Manzoor Ahmad Shah – Duty Solicitor

• Manzoor is the head of our team and has over 20 years’ experience. He has been supervising the Criminal offences department in the firm since its establishment in 2008.
• He completed his BSc from University of Kashmir (J&K, India), LLB (hons) and Sharia’ Law from IIUI (Islamabad, Pakistan).
• Manzoor qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and gained experience in several law firms before opening his own comprehensive practice in 2008.
• He has also completed several professional development courses in conveyancing law and speaks fluent Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi and Arabic.

Khadija Khan – Consultant Solicitor

• Khadija graduated with a Bachelor of Science from London Southbank University, and following which, completed her CPE and LPC from the College of Law in London.
• She was admitted as a solicitor of the Courts in England and Wales in 2005 and has extensive experience in criminal defence.
• She is available to instruct in such matters and has a professional and approachable attitude towards her clients.
• She takes the necessary time to understand and appreciate each case and provides coherent advice tailor made advise in regards to your circumstances.

Naseer Ahmad Shah – Associate Solicitor

•  Naseer completed his higher education in Law in India. He undertakes work in criminal defence and is available to accept instructions.

• He obtained his LLB from the University of Kashmir and qualified as a solicitor in 2013, upon completing his QLTT.

Quality of service

We can advise you of your rights and how they can be protected at any stage even before you are arrested.

Our aim is to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. If you or someone that you know is being held at the police station out of office hours, then please do not hesitate to contact us via our emergency mobile number to notify us as early as possible. We can advise you of your rights and how they can be protected at any stage even before you are arrested.

Our case building is based on a thorough knowledge and understanding of the UK Criminal Justice system. We secure the services of the highest quality experts and barristers, to ensure that we get the best possible outcome for our clients.

Criminal defence Services

We are able to represent you during an interview at the police station right through to any court, regulatory or disciplinary hearing. We cover the following:

• Appeal against Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court orders
• Assault
• Blackmail & Extortion
• Business Crime
• Confiscation & Restraint
• Cyber Crime
• Deletion of Criminal Records and Cautions
• Driving Offences
• Drug Offences
• Extradition & Mutual Assistance
• Firearms Offences
• Fraud
• Investigations
• Murder
• Manslaughter
• Private Prosecutions
• Protest Law
• Public Order Offences
• Serious Crime
• Sexual Offences
• Tax Fraud
• Terrorism
• Theft and Dishonesty Offences
• White Collar Crime
• Youth Crime

Please note that the above is an inexhaustive list.

Criminal Defence Procedure

1. Contact us – Get in touch if you require representation in relation to any criminal
   defence matter.
2. Responsible & Reliable Representation – A member of our team will work alongside you and will assist you in every step of your matter.
3. By your side – If your matter is sent to Court, we will ensure that you are fully supported, informed and prepared for any hearings. We will work tirelessly to ensure that the best outcome is achieved for you.

Methods of Funding Your Case

Together with privately funded work, we also offer Legal Aid to those clients that are entitled to it. In essence, when a client is entitled to Legal Aid, they are not required to contribute towards our legal costs, or any disbursements that will be encountered during the course of the matter.

At your initial consultation, our solicitors will be able to advise you on whether you are entitled to Legal Aid or not. We will comprehensively explain your situation to you and highlight what documentary evidence you will need to provide in support of your application. We will then take the responsibility of submitting your application to the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) and will obtain a Representation Order in relation to your matter. Legal Aid is available in the police station, the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court.

Timescales

Timescales can vary depending on the case and the complexity of issues that are involved. For straightforward cases, it will normally take between 3 – 6 months to finalise a case. However, where cases are more complex, it can take up to a year and sometimes beyond a year. Nevertheless, we will always keep you updated.

24-hour Police Station Solicitor

At Shah Law Chambers, we have a defence solicitor on standby 24/7 every day of the year (including bank holidays). If you are arrested, or there is a chance that an arrest may take place, you can contact us immediately and we will advise you at any stage of your criminal investigations.

There are a number of options that are available to you during your police station interview, and expert advice may be required to assist you with choosing the best option. We believe that it is imperative that you receive the relevant disclosure in advance of your interview, to make certain that you are provided with the the most appropriate advice according to your circumstances.

We will endeavour to reach you as soon as possible in order to provide you with free independent legal advice, as per your entitlement. We completely appreciate that our involvement at the police station could affect the ultimate decision in relation to the outcome of your investigation. Therefore, we can assure you that we will work relentlessly to assist you to guarantee the best possible outcome.

We have two 24-hour emergency telephone numbers:
07868 847084 and
02089009529.