Abdul Iqbal

Criminal and Regulatory & Public

Crime

Abdul Iqbal QC is a favoured choice of counsel among both solicitors and lay clients. He is widely recognised for his skilful, tactical and robust advocacy in the most complex cases. He took Silk in 2014 after years of being instructed as leading counsel in high-profile cases where Queen’s Counsel had been instructed by other parties in the case.

Abdul has built a very large and successful defence practice focused on the most serious criminal cases, such as homicide, high-value complex commercial fraud, serious organised crime, terrorism, and large-scale international drug trafficking. He also has specialist expertise in confiscation and deprivation of assets issues arising from these areas of criminal work.

Abdul previously practised as a pharmacist, and has a particular interest in cases involving expert medical or paramedical evidence. He is noted for his ability and experience in cross-examining expert witnesses on the most complex areas of evidence.

He has defended in a series of sensitive cases where professionals (solicitors, accountants, doctors, pharmacists) have been charged with criminal or regulatory offences.

Abdul regularly reviews serious and complex cases and advises upon the prospects of seeking to overturn, before the Court of Appeal, potentially unsafe convictions sustained in cases where he has not appeared at first instance. He also regularly reviews serious cases and advises as to whether a sentence can be regarded as manifestly excessive so as to be successfully appealed before the Court of Appeal.

Abdul is noted for his ability and judgment to quickly and reliably identify the real and decisive issues in ‘very heavy’ cases. He excels in offering clear, concise and tactically focused advice in the most complex and voluminous cases

Regulatory & PublicAbdul qualified as a pharmacist and has experience of clinical practice. He represents corporate and commercial clients charged with regulatory offences and/or facing financial liability arising from breaches of regulatory law.

Abdul’s pharmaceutical background and experience of serious criminal work naturally lend themselves to representing professionals charged with disciplinary breaches before regulatory bodies (General Medical Council, General Dental Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, General Optical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Solicitors Regulation Authority, Financial Reporting Council).

He is a keen sports fan. His criminal practice lends itself well to providing representation to players and clubs alike at disciplinary tribunals of governing bodies such as the FA, RFL and RFU.

Abdul’s pharmacy expertise gives him additional insight into issues of doping, charges brought by the UK Anti-Doping Agency, and appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

1991Bradford University, Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons)

1993Northumbria University, Diploma in Law (Distinction)

1994Inns of Court School of Law, BVC (‘Very competent’)