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Leena Lakhani
Leena is an Associate (Barrister) in the Criminal Litigation department. She was called to the Bar in 2015 and practised at the independent Criminal Bar, both prosecuting and defending, prior to joining Kingsley Napley. During that time, Leena represented clients in the Crown Court, Youth Court and Magistrates’ Court.
Criminal Defence & Police Investigations
Leena advises clients (adults and youths) under investigation by the police and other prosecuting authorities at all stages of criminal legal proceedings from interviews at the police station, through to trial. Her defence experience includes dealing with a wide range of offence including serious sexual offences and cases involving dishonesty.
Leena brings considerable prosecution experience to the team, having advised on and appeared in trials and hearings relating to serious violence, drug offences, firearms and fraud offences. She also spent a period of time seconded to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), where she advised on charging decisions. As a result of her experience, Leena has an extensive understanding of all stages of a criminal case and is able to apply her knowledge as a former prosecutor to her defence strategy, at both pre-charge and post-charge stages of the legal proceedings.
Leena has developed a particular niche in representing foreign nationals who find themselves before the Criminal Justice System, and who are often subject to conditions which require them to remain in the UK until the conclusion of their case. She prides herself on being able to understand the cultural nuances that are relevant to her clients. She prepares cases with a view to relaying the importance of them to the Crown in representations, in relation to bail applications to allow them to travel back to their home country, or before a jury at a trial.
Leena has experience of dealing with vulnerable witnesses and vulnerable defendants in the course of her practice; she understands the emotional and practical impact that criminal legal proceedings can have on an individual.
Firearms and shotgun licensing work
Leena advises individuals who hold shotgun or firearms certificates in relation to applications to grant or renew a certificate, as well as in circumstances where a certificate has been refused and where there has been revocation of a certificate. She has a successful track record in appealing revocations and refusals.
Court Martial work
Leena is experienced in representing service personnel who have been accused of criminal offences. She understands the nuances required to effectively defend them and navigate the unique Service Justice System.
Cross-over with other disciplines
Leena is interested in cases where there is a cross over between different practice areas, such as school/university investigations, internal investigations by employers in relation to possible criminal conduct in the workplace, and inquests in the Coroner’s Court.
Fraud and Business Crime
Leena regularly acts in cases of serious fraud, bribery and corruption and money laundering brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and Serious Fraud Division (SFD) of the Crown Prosecution Service. She has also advised witnesses in relation to their attendance at compelled interviews in investigations brought by the SFO and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). She has a particular interest in matters involving the breach of Anti-Money Laundering Regulations, and in relation to challenging Asset Freezing Orders.
Leena also conducts internal investigations on behalf of organisations into allegations of wrongdoing.
Further Information
Prior to joining Kingsley Napley, Leena was instructed in a high-profile public inquiry to assist with obtaining witness evidence.
What Clients have said
As a lawyer myself but now in need as a client, I benefited from the excellence of your services (both legal and psychological) , with a critical and appreciative eye. All I can say from the bottom of my heart and the top of my brain is, for all of you, pure and simple, thanks. You were the lawyer's lawyers I was seeking (and always aspired to be) in an emergency and I was lucky to have found you.
A Client, 2021
Professional societies and memberships
- Criminal Bar Association
- Young Fraud Lawyers Association (YFLA)
- Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum (DELF)