Practice
Criminal Law
Farrhat acts for defendants in criminal proceedings, particularly cases involving human rights or civil liberties points. She practices extensively in serious criminal work in the Crown Court and her practice includes all aspects of criminal work including murder, serious violent and sexual offences, drug offences, fraud, large scale public disorder and cases arising out of animal rights activism and protests. Her Court of Appeal work includes out of time conviction and sentence appeals, particularly in relation to IPP sentences. Farrhat''s instructing Solicitors include many of the North-West's leading criminal defence firms.
Recent cases have included: - Sexual offences (2009): Teacher accused of serious sexual offence against pupil; allegations against youth of sexual offences on sleeping girl; familial rape; historic allegations of rape and sexual assault dating back to 1970s; historic allegations of buggery dating back to 1970s
- Multi-handed Class A drug conspiracy to import (2009)
- Section 145 SOCPA (animal rights) (2009)
- R v El-Hudarey, Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004, s.2(1); "reasonable excuse";
- Drugs: Case involving one of the largest ever importations of cannabis (2008)
- Money laundering / fraud £500K value (2008)
- Firearms case where "automaton state" argument successfully run (2007)
- False Imprisonment involving Asian woman accused of falsely imprisoning and assaulting her daughter-in-law (2006)
- Represented female juvenile in multi-handed kidnap, false imprisonment and assault case alleging torture (2006)
- Appeared for Edwards in R v Edwards, Fysh, Duggan, Chohan (bad character, propensity) (2005)
- Appeared for Miller in Javaherifard and Miller, described by Blackstones Criminal Practice 2006 as "a leading case on the construction of s. 25 of the Immigration Act 1971" (2005)
- R v Baird (and another) [2006] EWCA Crim 993 (IPP sentence quashed for low-level robbery offences
- Represented Linda Walker, the Manchester schoolteacher charged with firearm offences (2005)
Public Law (Judicial Review)
Undertakes Judicial Review work, in particular that arising out of criminal proceedings, prison and ASBO proceedings: - R (on the application of F) v Bolton Crown Court (2009) Judicial review of post-conviction ASBO made against 13 year old boy; ASBO quashed by High Court as "unnecessary" (2009);
- R (on the application of Williams) v. Lowdham Grange (2009), Judicial review of re-categorisation decision (2009);
Prison Law
All aspects of Prison Law are undertaken including Parole Board hearings, Lifer Panels and Advice on re-categorisations, Article 5(4) ECHR claims and release and recall..
Civil Actions against the police
Wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.
Inquests
Representing families of the deceased in death in custody cases and other controversial deaths. Her experience of the criminal justice system including crime, prison law and actions against the police provides valuable insight when conducting inquests into wrongful arrest / detention and the rights of detainees.
Anti-social Behaviour Orders
Defending those against whom ASBOs are sought either via section 1 of the CDA 1998 or section 1C and appeals, Judicial Review or appeals by way of case stated against the making of ASBOs.
Recommendations Recommended in Chambers & Partners in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and in Legal 500 in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009:
Leading Junior in Crime : Northern (2010) "moved from Garden Court North to Doughty Street Chambers, a set that has recently set up new premises in Manchester. "Incisive and personable," she is "great at dealing with defendants in a sensitive but assertive way." Chambers & Partners 2010 Regional Bar - Northern Circuit - Crime (2009) "Farrhat Arshad's busy defence practice is based on her 'refusal to retreat when she believes there's a point to be made'." Leading Junior in Crime : Northern (2009) "Farrhat Arshad is "excellent in court and can stand firm against the occasional attempts at pressure that a judge might try to use." In addition, she "makes the clients comfortable - she is sensitive with those who have mental health problems, or who are just terrified of the court procedure." Chambers & Partners 2009
Regional Bar - Northern Circuit - Crime (2008) Farrhat Arshad is "a determined advocate, who leaves no stone unturned in putting her case." Legal 500 2008
Leading Junior in Crime : Northern (2008) "Garden Court North has the respected Farrhat Arshad who continues to attract some of the most interesting cases around, many with an immigration slant." Chambers & Partners 2008 Regional Bar - Northern Circuit - Crime (2006): "A skilled and determined defence lawyer with solid Court of Appeal experience."
Legal 500, 2006 "Future star of the Bar", Times Online, 1st October 2007
Times article
Publications - "Not all that glitters is gold" - an interview considering the new ASB Action Website, launched in July 2009 - LNB news 04/08/2009
- "Indeterminate ethics of sentences: What is the framework behind sentences of imprisonment for public protection, why are they so widely imposed and how can they be avoided?" by Farrhat Arshad and Kate Stone - Independent Lawyer May 2008
Other Activities
Continuing interest in the ICTY and the International Criminal Court. Advised on procedural legality in the ICTY.
Provides seminars on criminal law and public law. Recent topics have included Criminal Justice Act 2003 and Dangerous Offenders and IPP Sentencing.
Member of Manchester Prison Law Practitioners Group (MPLPG)
Professional Associations - Howard League for Penal Reform
- International Law Association
- Justice
- Liberty
- Criminal Bar Association
Languages
Basic Urdu and Hindi.
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Year of Call
1998
Education
BA (Hons) LLM (Public International Law)
Email Address
f.arshad@doughtystreet.co.uk
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Specialist Teams
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