Fatima Laher

Profile

Fatima is a relentlessly determined advocate with experience across a range of offences. She is recognised for her calm, clear and practical approach to cases and her ability to provide clear, practical and realistic advice. 

Fatima is always thorough, personable and professional. She is clear when explaining the law and procedure and has regularly received positive feedback from her clients who have praised her for her approachable manner and accessible style.

She is a robust and knowledgeable advocate who is always willing to go the extra mile.

Expertise

Criminal Defence

2024

R v CH & Others: Operation Utah – Fatima is currently instructed by Farley’s Solicitors on a 7-month multi-handed pension fraud trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

R v JL & Others (04/2024): Operation Tyronic – Fatima was instructed by BKP Solicitors on a 6-week multi-handed aggravated burglary trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

R v GH (08/2024): Fatima secured an acquittal for her client who was charged with making threats to kill and an assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The jury deliberated for under two hours before unanimously acquitting the defendant. Fatima was instructed by Nicholas Rozee, The Johnson Partnership.

R v IW (08/2024): Following a 3-day trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Fatima’s client was unanimously acquitted on 3 counts of (1) Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, (2) Non-fatal strangulation and (3) Theft, in under 90 minutes of the jury retiring. Fatima was instructed by Muzir Waheed, Zak Law Solicitors

R v DT & Others (05/2024): Fatima represented DT in a 4-day multi-handed production of cannabis trial at Leeds Crown Court. She was instructed by Mariam Sabha, The National Law Firm.

R v JM (04/24): Fatima successfully represented JM in a 4-day GBH trial at Leeds Crown Court. Following a successful half-time submission, the defendant was acquitted of all charges.

R v RT (04/2024): Fatima represented a defendant who was accused of and pleaded guilty to committing acts tending to pervert the course of justice.  Although the crown placed the offence at its highest, following extensive mitigation, Fatima persuaded the court to impose a suspended period of imprisonment with rehabilitation activity requirement days and an unpaid work requirement. Fatima was instructed by Sadia Ali, The Johnson Partnership.  

R v AM (03/2024): Following a 4 day trial at Burnley Crown Court, Fatima secured an acquittal for AM who was charged with 1 count of exposure, under s.66 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The prosecution case against Fatima’s client was put on the basis that he had allegedly exposed his genitals to an 83-year-old lady who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease with dementia and an associated adjustment disorder. The trial involved conscientious assessments of credibility and detailed cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses, who were admitted as hearsay evidence. Fatima was instructed by Gary McAnulty, Fylde Law.

R v DL (03/24): Fatima was instructed by Eldwick Law for sentence following a plea to dangerous driving. Fatima persuaded the court to impose a suspended sentence and RAR days.

R v LO (01/2024): LO was charged with 1 count of possessing a bladed article, contrary to s.139 Criminal Justice Act 1988. Fatima made a successful submission of no case to answer, whereby the charge was dismissed, and the defendant was acquitted.

R v TW (01/2024): Fatima was instructed by Atta Rehman, Harris Solicitors on a 4 day trial at Lincoln Crown Court involving 4 counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

R v FG (01/24): Fatima was instructed by Black and Co Solicitors on a 2-day trial at Leicester Crown Court involving one count of PWITS Class B.

R v GG (01/24): Fatima was instructed by Tana at Carson Kaye Solicitors on a 2-day public order trial at Manchester Crown Court.

R v PM (01/24) – Fatima is currently instructed by Rebecca Templemann, Broudie Jackson Canter for a 7-day fraud trial at Chester Crown Court.

R v SK (2023-2024): Fatima successfully represented 4 members of a family in relation to POCA proceedings.

R v UM (2024): Fatima is instructed on a 3-day PWITS trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

R v AE (2024): Fatima is instructed in a 3-day trial at Derby CC for 2 counts of dangerous driving and attempting to inflict GBH.

R v DA (2024): Fatima is instructed by Eldwick Law on a 2-day ABH trial at Durham Crown Court.

R v IK (2024): Fatima is instructed by Sadia Ali, The Johnson Partnership on a 4 day robbery trial involving young witnesses at Sheffield Crown Court.

 

2023

R v DC & Others (09-12/2023): Led by Sarah Day in a 10 week multi-handed human trafficking trial at Winchester Crown Court, instructed by Sukhy Ark at Abbey Law. The client was acquitted of conspiracy to facilitate travel with a view to exploitation under s2 Modern Slavery Act 2015

R v KB (12/23): Fatima was instructed by Aftaab, Altaf Solicitors in relation to 2 trials for an 18 year old defendant: (1) 5 day multi-handed GBH trial at Leeds Crown Court, (2) Possessing ammunition when prohibited at Bradford Crown Court and PWITS.

R v MR (11/2023): Fatima was instructed by Rees Clayton Solicitors on a 3 day burglary trial at Preston Crown Court.

R v AC (10/2023): Fatima was instructed by Omar Saleem at Lexis Solicitors for a 5 day ABH and aggravated burglary whilst in possession of a bladed article. On the day of trial, due to numerous difficulties, the crown offered no evidence.

R v MW (09/2023): Led by Matt Lawson in what was meant to be a 4-month multi-handed fraud trial at Lincoln Crown Court. On day 4 of the trial, the client was acquitted of all charges following the recovery of 2000+ personal workspace files belonging to the officer, which had not been reviewed.

R v LB & Others (08/23): Fatima was instructed by Govier Solicitors on a 4 day GBH trial at Stafford Crown Court.

R v LT (06-07/2023): Led by Gerard Hillman in a 6-week multi-handed child cruelty trial at Warwick Crown Court.

R v YC (07/2023): Instructed on a 4-day trial at Derby Crown Court: Complex Fraud involving the NHS.

R v MK (06/23): Instructed by Omar Saleem, Lexis Solicitors on a 5 day multi-handed robbery trial. The defendant was acquitted of all charges.

R v IK (05/23): Fatima was instructed by Drummond Solicitors. Following extensive mitigation, a suspended sentence and RAR days were imposed for 1 count of threats to kill in a domestic context.

R v SF (03/2023): Fatima represented the first defendant in a 4 day burglary and ABH trial, which led to acquittals on both counts.

R v WM (02/2023):  Fatima was led by Andrew Alty, representing the first defendant on the indictment before HHJ Dodd. The defendant, who was one of six named defendants, was charged with conspiracy to produce Class B drugs. The trial lasted 7 weeks at Burnley Crown Court and involved the presentation of extensive CCTV and phone evidence.

R v LC (01/2023): Successfully defended in a trial involving one count of breaching a sexual harm prevention order. The client was acquitted.

R v IM (01/2023): Successfully co-defended in a 4-day trial at Leeds Crown Court: fraud and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

R v JM (2023) – Instructed in a 3-day complex ABH/harassment trial involving a defendant with mental health difficulties.

R v RS (2023) – Instructed on a 2-day trial involving Possession of Class A drugs.

R v MP (2023) – Secured a community order for a defendant convicted of intentional strangulation.

R v AM (2023) – No evidence was offered on day 2 of a 5 day GBH trial.

R v FO (2023) – Secured a suspended sentence and unpaid work for a defendant convicted of Possession with intent to supply class B drugs.

 

2022

R v MIA (12/2022): Instructed as junior counsel on a 6-9 week complex fraud and money laundering trial involving 4 defendants at Bradford Crown Court. Following a successful abuse of process argument, the crown offered no evidence to all charges on the day of trial.

R v RL (11/2022): Instructed on a multi-handed Encrochat trial involving numerous complex issues.

R v GB: Instructed by Eldwick Law a 3-day trial involving 4 counts of possessing extreme images of animals.

R v SJ: Multi-handed GBH with intent resulting in serious injury.

R v TW: 3-day burglary trial at Bradford CC.

R v AH: Following successful mitigation for an offence of dangerous driving, the defendant received a short community order, avoiding a lengthy custodial sentence.

R v BM: 3-day burglary trial involving 2 defendants.

R v FR: Successful appeal against conviction and sentence

Recommendations

"It’s always a pleasure to work with Fatima! Fatima is great to be around and always goes above and beyond for her work. We have always received fantastic feedback from clients. Fatima builds a great rapport with her clients, ensuring they feel at ease, and they can trust her. She gives great advice and is very thorough at her job. She is a hard-working and very efficient lawyer. I look forward to continuing to instruct Fatima on our cases."Sana, Drummond Solicitors
"Fatima is the best counsel I have worked with. She goes above and beyond to help me with any questions I have and is happy to assist no matter how busy she is. She is a likeable person, and our clients have nothing but fantastic feedback on her. She is always well prepared when discussing clients cases with them and ensures she has either spoken or held a conference with them before their court hearing to answer any questions they may have. She is very knowledgeable and explains in a way that the clients understand and trust her. I will continue instruct Fatima on any upcoming court hearings as she is a pleasure to work with."Mariam Sabha, Alison Law Solicitors
"I have known Fatima from when she was doing her pupilage back in 2018. After Fatima qualified as a barrister I have been instructing her on a regular basis.

On every case I have ever instructed Fatima on, she has never let me down. The relationship she creates with the client to make them feel comfortable is exceptional.

On a recent case, we had a case transferred to us in which the client was charged on a fraud. The client had already sacked 3 firms and we were the fourth to take over. I instructed Fatima to deal with the case. Following the hearing the client contacted me and informed me that Fatima had spent almost 2 hours with him following the hearing in a consultation in court. He informed me that the advice she gave to him was the best so far. This shows the quality of work that Fatima can carry out despite being new in the field.

Fatima from my personal experience will always give as much time as a case requires and make sure the solicitors who instruct her have no complaints at all from their clients. "
Mohammed Omar Saleem, Director Lexis Solicitors
"Fatima Laher is someone who was introduced to me professionally by an experienced and highly regarded counsel. Since then I have had the pleasure of working with Fatima on a number of serious and difficult cases and a few very demanding clients. Fatima is hardworking knowledgeable and really good with clients in a professional and approachable way.

I am certain Fatima will achieve a lot more in this profession and she is a well prepared and highly competent lawyer and advocate"
Sav Khan, Eldwick law

Appointments/Memberships

  • The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn
  • Award: Advocacy Scholarship - BPP University

Miscellaneous

Qualifications

LLB Hons (Law) (1st class Honours)

Bar Professional Training Course LLM (Distinction)

Gujarati

Instruct FatimaTo instruct Fatima please contact our clerks by phone on +44 (0) 20 7036 0200 or email us at clerks@libertaschambers.com