Zia Nasim : Call - 2001

Summary:

Zia joins us with experience in many different fields but mainly specialises in Crime, Immigration, Extradition and Licensing.

Bar Scholarships:

Hardwicke Scholar and Award by the Inn for Placement in Pakistan.

Educational Qualifications:

1999-2001            Inns of Court School of Law (Bar Finals: Competent)
1996-1999            London Guildhall University (LLB) OPTIONS: Public International
1990-1996            King Fahad Academy (4 A-Levels) and (10 GCSE’s)

Other Experience:

Oct 2004 - To Date    Legal Consultant in Overseas Department at Government of Pakistan National Accountability Bureau, Islamabad Pakistan
Oct 2002 - April            Pupillage at Chambers of Michael Gledhill QC 2 Dyers Buildings, London (Pupil to Andrew Jefferies and Lauren soertsz)

• Paralegal at Kingsley Napley Solicitors, 14 St Johns Lane, London EC1M 4AJ
• Legal Assistant at Quist Solicitors formerly Raja & Partners, Mayfair, London W1S 2QA

Areas of Experience:

Immigration:

All aspects of Immigration Law including judicial review, Counsel in reported case of CD v Secretary of State, A decision under section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 that involves the invalidation of any leave to enter or remain is to be treated for the purposes of the 2002 Act as a curtailment of that leave within section 82(2)(e), with the result that a person may appeal against that decision whilst he is in the United Kingdom, whether or not he has made an asylum claim or a human rights claim.

General Crime:

Has appeared both in Magistrates and Crown Courts on a regular basis undertaking primarily defence work.

Regulatory Law and Licensing:

Has represented mini cab firms appealing against decisions made by the Public Carriage Office and has acted for various restaurants and BP Shops for licensing applications.

Extradition Law:

Has participated in various cases, which have been at the forefront of major developments in Extradition Law. Is presently advising and submitting a proposal for ad hoc extradition arranging between the UK and Pakistan and have advised the Government of Pakistan National Accountability Bureau on Individual extradition requests to USA and UAE.

Disclosure and Article 5 of ECHR (ex parte Kashamu No. (1)): Closely assisted with the conduct of this case and was given the task of assembling important aspects of evidence and researching existing principles of law, Which required revision in the light of the ECHR. The case met with a successful outcome in the Divisional Court.

Abuse of Process and Jurisdiction (ex parte Kashamu No. (2) TLR 12-12-01): This case had two principal aspects. Firstly, whether there ought to be an abuse jurisdiction recognised by the courts (which until then did not exist in extradition proceedings).              Secondly, whether in this particular case, the court having accepted jurisdiction, there were sufficient merits to make out an abuse of process by the government. Was given the responsibility of organising evidence to advance an argument that there had been an abuse of process.

In both these cases my work involved marshalling evidence gathered from various law enforcement agencies investigators and lawyers in different jurisdictions around the world.

Extra-territorial Jurisdiction and Admissibility of Anonymous Witness Testimony (Al-Fawwaz [2002] 2 WLR 101): In this case exposure focused on researching extensive and complex case law. The case concerned the US Embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar-El Salam and the issue was whether our client was a ‘fugitive criminal’ and thus capable of being extradited to USA because of the extra-territorial nature of the crimes alleged against him. We succeeded on this point in the Divisional Court but the client’s appeal was dismissed by the House of Lords. The courts also reviewed the law pertaining to the admissibility of evidence from a confidential source.

Various other Extradition Cases: Experience was broad and covered a variety of extraditions (US, Europe & South Africa), where alleged fugitives were charged with serious crimes.

 

Commercial Law:

General Commercial: In this field, had the benefit of working alongside a Senior Partner in a solicitors firm. Assisted with the preparations of evidence to obtain a Freezing Order. Also gained close insight into extensive negotiations in large commercial cases and learned various tactical and procedural skills. For example, in one case managed to secure a settlement for £500,000 for the client. Prepared and made applications in the High Court before Masters. Assisted with various interim applications; variation of freezing order; complicated application for specific  disclosure; application to remove a party; and applications in the companies’ court.

Defamation:

Was given exclusive conduct of a case, which required enquiring into the merits of a potential claim for libel, arising from a publication on the Internet. Following this, also took instructions and advised on a claim for libel against INTERPOL, by a well-known dissident. This resulted in a favourable outcome for the client.

Charity Law:

Have helped conduct cases mostly involving disputes in relation to the control of a Mosque, by competing charities. In one case prepared an application to strike out a claim in charity proceedings commenced in the Chancery Division , in which the Attorney General was a party. Secured a successful outcome. Also considered and advised on charity schemes. Furthermore, also advised a charity during an inquiry conducted by the Charity Commissioners under the Charities Act and prepared applications for registration of charities.

Landlord and Tenant:

Most of the clients were tenants. Conducted litigation during a renewal of a business tenancy and for breaches of covenants.

Criminal Injuries Compensation:

Have advised applications of their entitlement to compensation under the schemes operated by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority; this required researching case law and liaising with various authorities. Also represented an application at an appeal to challenge the award granted by the CICB. (Appeared before three Deputy High Court Judges).

Internship at JUSTICE:

Public Authorities and Disclosure: Undertook an internship at JUSTICE, during which, prepared a paper for a seminar on the disclosure of information held by police authorities as well as third parties. This involved compiling an overview of domestic law (statutory and case law). Attended numerous conferences organised by JUSTICE with leading Chambers regarding the impact of the Humans Rights Act on domestic law.

Advocacy Skills and Mooting:

Advocacy experience comprises appearing before; Magistrates Courts; Crown Courts; Employment Tribunal; an appeal panel (CICA); a variety of applications before High Courts Masters; dealing with applications and final hearings in the small claims court; making applications to District Judges in County Courts; Applications before the District Judge at Bow Street Magistrates Court in extradition cases. Whilst in Pakistan, participated in various seminars on corruption in Pakistan and the UN Convention against Corruption.

Drafting Skills:

In this regard, gained good experience in drafting advices on evidence; appeals against conviction and sentence; defence case statements; skeleton arguments; abuse of process applications; witness statements; letters offering settlement terms in commercial cases; written representations to the Secretary of State in extradition cases; applications in the High Court; and routine correspondence in various litigation cases.

Negotiating Skills:

Attended settlement meetings, which ran overnight on occasions and where opponents were present with Counsel. Was part of the negotiating team with the senior partner of a solicitors firm and not a mere observer.

Affiliations:

Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA); British Pakistan Law Counsel; JUSTICE and also a Trustee of an Educational and Cultural Charity in Brent.

Languages:

Urdu (fluent), Hindu (fluent), Punjabi (fluent) and French (basic knowledge)