General Crime MURDER
R v O (current): is representing a Defendant accused of hiring a contract killer. R v Henderson (2010/11): represented a Defendant accused of being a contract killer hired by organized crime in a machine gun shooting. R v Daud Ahmed (2008): Represented a Defendant alleged to be the armourer for organized crime in a murder investigation. R v Kohli (2008): The Hannah Foster murder trial - represented the first ever Indian National to be extradited to the UK to stand trial for abduction, rape and murder. R v Niaz Khan (2006): Represented a Defendant charged with gangland killing involving a series of shootings in Bradford. The Rettendon Murders appeal (The “Essex Boys” case) (2005): Represented one of the 3 Appellants in their appeal against conviction based on fresh evidence.
TERRORISM
R. v Khan (2008): Acted for the principal defendant accused of running Al Qaida's UK website and of recruiting for Pakistani terror training camps. Aabid Khan was alleged to possess the largest electronic collection of terrorist materials found by the anti-terrorist squad. R v Safi & others (2001-3): Acted for one of the Afghan Hijackers, Taimur Shah, in both Old Bailey trials.The case involved the armed hijacking of an airplane, which was diverted from Afghanistan to England via Russia, and the longest ever hostage siege at an airport, namely Stansted. R v M (2006): Acted for a Defendant alleged to be an Al Qaeeda operative in the UK.
R v F & others (2005): The Ricin Case: represented a Defendant alleged to have been part of an Algerian Terrorist cell linked to Al Qaeeda.
R v K & others (2007): Represented a Defendant alleged to be an Al Qaeeda operative accused of Conspiracy to murder in the UK.
SEXUAL OFFENCES
R v Michael Lyons (2009 and 2010): Acted for the Defendant who was alleged to be the head of a religious Cult accused of raping and sexually assaulting a number of females introduced to him by his followers. R v Nagra (2008): Acted for a businessman alleged to have sexually abused his step grand daughter. Prosecution successfully stayed on the grounds of abuse of process. R v Gill (2008): Acted for a Pharmacist accused of historical sexual abuse against stepdaughter. Prosecution successfully stayed on the grounds of abuse of process.
OTHERS
Operation Greyhound (2004): Acted for a Police Sergeant charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and conspiracy to cause GBH in a CIB3 investigation into corruption in the police force. 'A Juryman's Tale' trial - The Kidnapping and Blackmail of a Greek Shipping magnate.
International Abbas Lakha QC is one of the UK’s Leading QC’s who is best known for his domestic national work. Over the last 20 years however he has regularly been instructed in cases that have involved significant international issues and dimensions. In recent years he has increasingly become involved in high profile international cases in different parts of the world, and now joins chambers’ International team, which is committed to providing high quality advisory and advocacy services to clients internationally. INTERNATIONAL LITIGATION/CRIME Re O (Current) - Defending an African Minister who is contesting extradition proceedings to the United Kingdom in relation to financial crime allegations. Re S ApS and others (Current) - Advising and representing a Danish Company and its Directors in relation to a worldwide freezing order and action by HMRC. R v Thanos Papalexis (2009) - Advised on extradition from the United States of America in an International murder investigation. R v B & others (2008) - Advised and represented an individual in an International FBI investigation into global arms sales. R v Dara (2007) - Advised on and appealed against a European Arrest Warrant and Extradition request by the German authorities against a Pakistani National for allegedly exporting materials for use in the Pakistani Nuclear Weapons program. INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC TERRORISM R. v Aabid Khan (2008) - Acted for the principal defendant accused of running Al Qaida's UK website and of recruiting for Pakistani terror training camps. Aabid Khan was alleged to possess the largest collection of electronic terrorist materials found by the anti-terrorist squad. R v K & others (2007) - represented a Defendant alleged to be an Al Qaida operative accused of Conspiracy to murder in the UK. R v Safi & others (2001-3) - Acted for one of the Afghan Hijackers, Taimur Shah, in both Old Bailey trials. The case involved the armed hijacking of an airplane, which was diverted from Afghanistan to England via Russia, and the longest ever hostage siege. Client acquitted on appeal. R v M (2006) – Acted for a Defendant alleged to be an Al Qaida operative in the UK.
R v F & others (2005) - The Ricin Case – represented a Defendant alleged to have been part of an Algerian Terrorist cell linked to Al Qaida. INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CRIME R v Goddard (Current) - Operation Vaulter – acts for a Company Director in a Prosecution brought by HM Revenue and Customs in a multi million pound contra trading MTIC fraud in the mobile phone industry. R v Azam Yaqoob (2009-Current) - acted for a Defendant in a Prosecution brought by Yorkshire Police alleging mortgage fraud (multiple mortgages) and criminal laundering of the proceeds of a banking fraud. The resulting conviction was overturned on Appeal and awaits retrial. R v Gathani (2010-2011) - Operation Inertia – acted for a Trader in a Prosecution brought by HM Revenue and Customs in a contra trading MTIC fraud in the mobile phone industry with a revenue loss of £120 million. R v Hague (2010-2011) - Operation District – acted for a Defendant in a Prosecution brought by HM Revenue and Customs involving a multi million pound VAT fraud in the automobile industry. R v Williamson (2009) – Acted for an Accountant in a Prosecution brought by HM Revenue and Customs alleging a conspiracy to cheat the Revenue. Case collapsed as a result of disclosure issues raised by the Defence. R v Akhtar Hussain (2008) - Acted for a Hawalla Banker on retrial (original conviction quashed on Appeal) in a Prosecution brought by HM Revenue and Customs in relation to the use of a hawalla banking money transmission bureaux for laundering £127 million of the proceeds of drugs and crime over a 3 year period. Successfully resisted a Prosecution application for £127 million confiscation order in the ensuing confiscation proceedings. R v Flint (2006) - Acted for a Defendant in a Prosecution brought by the Serious Fraud Office alleging a multi million pound Investment fraud. R v Sollazo (2004-2005) - Acted for an Accountant in a Prosecution brought by the Serious Fraud Office alleging a fraudulent diversion and use of funds obtained under the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme resulting in an acquittal. R v. Sewell (2002 ) - The ‘London Ci ty Bond case’ – acted for a Defendant in a Prosecution brought by HM Revenue and Customs in a multi million pound diversion and reclaim fraud and in the ensuing appeal against conviction and eventual successful stay of Prosecution on grounds of an Abuse of Process. R v Dowell (1999-2000) – The ‘London City Bond case’ – acted for a Defendant on appeal against conviction and at the following abuse hearing resulting in a successful stay of Prosecution on grounds of Abuse of Process. MembershipsThe Bar Council of England and Wales.
The Criminal Bar Association.
The European Criminal Bar Association.
The International Criminal Defence Attorneys Association.
The Society of Asian Lawyers. AppointmentsQueens Counsel (2003).
Bencher of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (2009).
Inspector for the Department of Trade and Industry (2000).
The Criminal Bar Association of England & Wales Co-opted Committee Member.
The Bar Council of England & Wales VHCC Fees Committee. LanguagesGujerati.
Swahili. | 
