Direct access barrister
Abbas Lakha KC
KC · 9BR Chambers · Called 1984
Abbas successfully appealed against HMRC's decision to cancel Brac Saajan Exchange Limited's registration under The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017....
Regions served: Nationwide · London and South East
About Abbas
Money Laundering Regulations
Abbas successfully appealed against HMRC's decision to cancel Brac Saajan Exchange Limited's registration under The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017.
Brac Saajan is a successful money service bureau which is required to register with HMRC. HMRC cancelled Brac's registration because it believed that were widescale breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations.
In a 10 day hearing at the First Tier Tribunal, Abbas was able to demonstrate that the majority of the breaches HMRC contended were simply not made out. Focusing on the errors in approach and interpretation by HMRC and its officer Sarah Chapman, Abbas succeeded in reversing the decision to cancel BSEL's registration and the decisions that individual officers of Brac were not fit and proper person and to impose a permanent prohibition on three officers from holding a management role.
About me
Abbas Lakha KC was called to the Bar in 1984. He completed his criminal pupillage in Michael Havers KC's Chambers (the then Attorney General) at 5 KBW before being invited to join the Chambers of Jeffery Thomas KC at 3 Temple Gardens. He moved to the Chambers of Ann Rafferty at 4 Brick Court at 5 years call and has been a member of those Chambers for the last 23 years (now located in Gray's Inn).
Abbas has spent his entire professional life practicing at the Criminal Bar with a wealth of experience in a wide variety of Criminal and quasi-Criminal cases. He uses his experience to further his clients' interests in the cases he undertakes. He is a master tactician and is able to navigate through cases with skill and is often able to resolve cases before they reach the Court. Once in Court he is a ferocious cross examiner and dogged in his pursuit of victory for his clients. His attention to detail and the hard work he puts in to his cases is a hall mark of his practice.
Notable cases
Abbas Lakha KC is able to accept instructions in general and serious criminal cases, proceeds of crime and forfeiture proceedings, regulatory matters in the First and Upper Tier Tribunals and cases before Professional Disciplinary Tribunals. He is also regularly instructed to advise individuals and companies during the investigatory stages pre-charge with a view to avoiding formal criminal proceedings.
Professional & academic
What the Legal Directories say about me
Legal 500
'Abbas has a collaborative and extremely effective leadership style which instils confidence in clients and brings out the best in the team. Client know that he understands their position and feel very well represented by Abbas. Abbas is a polished and effective advocate, and a tough negotiator. He masters complex materials quickly and pinpoints the essential factual and legal matters. Abbas stands out among leading silks as a clever, creative thinker, always with an eye on the big picture.'
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Chambers Guide UK
"Abbas Lakha KC is a well-respected silk with a notable practice in financial crime. He is experienced in matters concerning fraud, money laundering and corruption, and offers additional expertise in private prosecutions. Strengths: "He is really good with both clients and solicitors and is able to cut through to the issues. He also has a fantastic court manner."
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What clients say
It is my pleasure to write this testimonial for Mr. Abbas Lakha KC as I want to express my gratitude to him and his efforts for providing me with the highest level of professional legal counsel available. The outcome was everything I hoped for and everything he promised from day one of the process. Not only is he the epitome of professionalism he is a compassionate person as I felt he cared about me as a person and not only as a client. All my questions were taken seriously and answered regardless of how trivial they were. I always felt I was in good hands. I would recommend him wholeheartedly and would use his services again without a second thought, as my goal would have never been possible without his expertise, experience and kindness. Thank you,
Mr Lakha was an absolute god-send, he offered a very professional friendly service, I really thank him for all his hard work and support with my case,though time was so tight, he spared no effort to achieve best results, he worked day and night on my case and he was always doing his best to support me through each painstaking step of my case, he was always patient and he listened to me. I could not have asked for a better barrister. I highly recommend him and I assure you will be in good hands.
My wife and I were very concerned, upset and worried with the upcoming litigation but from the first telephone conversation you were very helpful and honest about the weakness and strengths of our case putting everything into perspective which was very comforting and reassuring, thank you. During our conference it was clear you had read and assimilated all of the case details with clear direction, at no point did we feel rushed in fact the reverse. Your polite and gentle manner is appreciated most importantly you LISTENED to us without making us feel we are wasting your time and giving us clear instructions on which information you required. We very much appreciate you keeping us informed and updating us at every juncture making us feel that we are in safe and capable hands of, we look forward to you representing us at the upcoming hearing.
Mr. Lakha's diligence and thoroughness makes him an excellent barrister to have on your side. In my matter, Mr. Lakha's organization and command of the facts, and methodically conveying those facts to the Court, resulted in a very favourable result. Other barristers had a despondent view; during closing arguments, Mr. Lakha portrayed my case as one which was most deserving of a light sentence...which was granted and allowed me to move forward. He genuinely advocates for his clients.
I met Abbas Lakha KC on a day when I also met two other barristers, one of whom was also a KC. He stood out immediately with more hunger and determination to fight my corner. Throughout the whole process, he was as professional as could have been and I can highly recommend Abbas' services to anybody who might unfortunately need him.
I was referred to Mr. Abbas Lakha KC during an acrimonious business litigation. From the onset Mr. Lakha demonstrated a genuine concern and understanding of my situation. With efficiency, diligence and thoroughness he guided me in a very calm and methodical manner. The manner in which he tackled the case, and the numerous issues which came up from the other side, demonstrated his true expertise and experience. He has this amazing ability of multilateral thinking various scenarios and his planning and advice is thus very sincere, efficient and pragmatic. Mr. Lakha is a barrister you really would want to have on your side and the respect he commands from both his peers and opponents at court was fascinating. He is a thorough gentleman and I have had no hesitation in recommending him to colleagues and friends over the years.
Areas of practice
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