Saleema Mahmood

Profile

For several years, Saleema has been recognised as a leading practitioner in complex crime in both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 and continues to be instructed in high profile leading junior work.

Saleema regularly acts as a leading junior in complex  serious crime, with a focus on violent offences including homicide and complex drug conspiracies.

Saleema’s practice instructions include representation of vulnerable adults and youth defendants in a range of serious prosecutions including terrorism, murder and conspiracy offences.

Saleema is fluent in French and Spanish. She has a working use of Urdu and Punjabi.

Saleema specialises in:

• Organised Crime.
• Terrorism.
• Homicide.
• Fraud and Financial Crime.
• General Crime.
• Sexual Offences.

Saleema is a very experienced senior junior specialising in criminal defence. She is frequently instructed as leading junior and has appeared in a number of high-profile cases.

She has appeared in a number of the recent high profile cases both in the Midlands and North of England, including the defence of the only defendant acquitted of the murders of Charlene Ellis and Letitia Shakespeare, the representation of one of the defendants in the murder of Naila Mumtaz (exorcism) and Percy Wright (murder of ex-partner leading to significant investigation into the practices of Warwickshire Police in cases of domestic abuse).

Saleema specialises in the defence of violent and sexual offences but also holds a growing Money laundering/ Fraud practice.

At 22 years call, Saleema holds a practice far beyond that which could be expected and holds a strong reputation in the field of criminal defence particularly young and vulnerable defendants.

Saleema is well regarded by both lay and professional clients for her no nonsense yet empathetic approach to defendants and complainants alike. She has frequently been recognised with entries in both Chambers and the Legal 500 publications.

Saleema’s attention to detail and focused approach to complex analysis work is well recognised and she has developed a strong reputation for her ability to deal with extensive telephone evidence and financial accounting in a manner which appeals to juries and judges alike.

Her down to earth court room approach lends to her growing reputation as an expert in cases involving young or vulnerable witnesses, frequently commended in the courts.

Those fortunate enough to have watched Saleema at work have praised her sensitive yet direct approach to cross-examination particularly in sexual offences cases and vulnerable complainants.

Her style of advocacy is commended by senior members of the circuit as direct, relevant and intelligent.

Saleema is well known for her meticulous preparation and analysis of cases together with her friendly and amiable personality. She has excellent rapport with young defendants and those from ethnic minorities.

Saleema’s style of advocacy lends itself well to leading junior counsel and solicitor advocates.

Her forensic analysis in complex frauds and large scale telephone work is second to none.

Saleema holds a formidable reputation for her detailed and forensic approach to her preparation and is counsel of choice in cases of terrorism, homicide, fraud and money laundering, multimillion pound frauds, money laundering allegations, and public office breaches.

Saleema is public access accredited, he can accept instructions directly or via solicitors.