Leila is a CPS Level 2 Panel Advocate and has a mixed criminal practice, prosecuting and defending in both the Crown, Magistrates’ and Youth Courts. She has experience in dealing with a wide range of offences, including violent and sexual assault, domestic violence, dishonesty offences, criminal damage, possession of offensive weapons and driving offences. She also regularly finds herself drafting advices on appeal and evidence.
Leila also has experience in private prosecution work and has defended in local council proceedings for breaches of planning legislation.
She has developed a reputation as a charming, approachable yet tenacious advocate, and has been provided with positive feedback from clients and the Judiciary.
Before practising at the Bar, Leila worked within the international development and humanitarian sector in Iraq, Turkey and Syria working for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Her understanding of cultural sensitives is aided by her experience of working within diverse teams and her dual heritage background.
Leila’s background of campaigning on issues of social justice is what informed her career path. She continues to try to make a difference in her community by acting as trustee on different boards and volunteering in her community. She, therefore, takes pride in representing vulnerable individuals and leaving no stone unturned.
Reported Cases
R v Willans: defending in two substantial thefts of shipping containers from Maritime Transport, committed on the same day
R v Connors: defending a woman with complex psychiatric difficulties in a substantial theft of a vase from Harewood House
Leila has a burgeoning public & regulatory practice and is keen to expand this area of her practice.
She has recently been appointed as one of 11 Inclusion and Diversity panel members for Rugby Football Union to hear all disciplinary cases relating to rugby matters involving allegations of discriminatory behaviour.
Leila frequently represents the police in applications for Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and Anti-Social Behaviour Order Injunctions in the Magistrates’ and Youth courts. Her vibrant and approachable nature gives her an upper-hand at building and maintaining connections with clients from all walks of live. She also uses this to her advantage during witness handling.
She frequently represents Social Work England and the Nursing and Midwifery Council in substantive and interim fact-finding hearings and reviews concerning social workers and nurses that are facing disciplinary action.
She has represented the police in applications for the revocation of licence premises and has also defended those who find themselves facing the revocation of their taxi licence.
Leila also advised the police on Covid-19 health regulations at different stages of the Tiered lockdowns. She was also involved in the review of appeals submitted to Ofqual (non-ministerial government department) regarding GCSE and A level qualification results awarded during lockdown periods.
Reported Cases
Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police v Sugar Club: representing the police in successful application to revoke premises licence of local club in Barnsley
Leila has a growing employment practise. She has received instructions to represent both claimants and respondents and has instructed across all levels of the litigation process from preliminary and interlocutory hearings to final hearings. She has acted in claims involving unfair dismissal, discrimination (disability, race, sex), unlawful deduction of wages and breach of contract. She has also acted in preliminary hearings concerning points of law, for example employee status and issues of limitation.
She grasps the complexity of the various moving parts of a case, whilst still appreciating the ‘bigger picture’, which is important for clients who may not understand parts of what can be a technocratic process.
She also regularly drafts advices on appeal, remedy and merits assessments.
Leila’s exposure to employment was through her role working as Chair on the board of a charitable organisation whereby she chaired internal disciplinary hearings, appeal hearings and welfare meetings concerning staff members and management.