News

Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce the expansion of their Birmingham Crime Department with the inclusion of three new Crime Duty Solicitors to the team; Arif Iqbal; Zaheer Ahmed Khan; Kamal Preet Shergill.

Arif, Zaheer and Kamal will be joining 36 Crime Duty Solicitors in the Crime Law department.

The new additions to the department ensure that Duncan Lewis maintain the steady growth of its Crime Law practice across offices in London and the UK nationwide, retaining the firm’s position as a steady growing and forward thinking department.

Arif Iqbal brings to Duncan Lewis substantial experience in general and business crime litigation and professional discipline. He has particular expertise in representing professionals facing serious criminal and/or disciplinary proceedings. He also has expertise in representing interested parties in Inquests.

Arif was called to the Bar in 2003 and cross-qualified as a solicitor in 2007. He has rights of audience in all courts and tribunals. Arif has obtained an LLB (Hons) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Services.

Zahar Ahmed joins the firm as a Crime and Family & Child Care Solicitor.

Zaheer deals with Private Children Act matters which involve disputes between parents in relation to their children’s arrangements for residence and contact. Zaheer has also dealt with matters relating to obtaining prohibited steps orders and specific issue orders. Zaheer has undertaken advocacy before the Family Courts in relation to directions hearings, contested hearings and also fact finding hearings in Private Children Act proceedings. Zaheer has represented clients who have suffered from domestic abuse at ex-parte and directions hearings for injunction proceedings in relation to non-molestation orders. Zaheer has also dealt with applications for divorces and decrees for judicial separation.

Zaheer’s extensive knowledge and advocacy experience within Criminal Proceedings has assisted him in dealing with Family Law cases. This includes representing parents who are facing serious allegations in relation to violence, drug addiction or sexual offences.

Zaheer studied Law at Staffordshire University and graduated with an LLB honours degree in law. Zaheer undertook his Legal Practice course with De Montfort Law School and graduated with a commendation. Zaheer began his legal career by working for local firms within Birmingham, practicing in the areas of Immigration, Conveyance and Crime Law. Zaheer initially worked as a paralegal and thereafter as a Trainee Solicitor. Zaheer qualified as a Solicitor in 2005.

Zaheer undertakes the majority of his own advocacy. Zaheer has appeared before Magistrates, District Judges and Circuit Judges abd speaks in both Urdu and Punjabi languages.

Kamal Preet Shergill joins Duncan Lewis in both the Crime and Child Care departments.

Kamal brings to the firm over ten years of experience in the Criminal Law field. Kamal is an Accredited Police station representative and a qualified Duty Solicitor and has practised in the Magistrates Courts local and afar from the London area, conducting trials and contested hearings.

Kamal has experience in case analysis and preparation, attending upon clients and other professionals and is a Higher Courts Advocate with experience of appearing before the Crown Court at pretrial hearings as well as post trial.

The extensive experience in Criminal litigation and advocacy are transferable skills that Kamal possesses she is now applying to Family and Childcare Law. She is therefore well equipped with knowledge and understanding of domestic violence cases and child neglect.

Kamal studied law at the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University) and obtained an LLB (Hons) qualification and undertook the LPC at the College of Law in London and graduated with a commendation, qualifying as a Solicitor in 2004.

Arif, Zaheer and Kamal join the specialist Crime and Prison Law departments at Duncan Lewis Solicitors. The Duncan Lewis Crime Department is able to deal with all criminal offences and is available on an emergency basis for people 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Duncan Lewis Crime Solicitors regularly represent clients at Police Stations, Magistrates Courts, Crown Courts, and at Appeal Courts such as the Court of Appeal.