England - London • Crime, fraud and licensing

ABV Solicitors

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Akhtar Ahmad and Robert Borwick jointly lead the complex crime team at ABV Solicitors, with clients describing the department as ‘standout’ and ‘extremely dedicated’. The practice is experienced in advising clients in matters such as attempted murder, joint enterprise murder, sexual assault charges, drug trafficking, charges relating to indecent images, and driving offences. The ‘unflappable’ Hanisha Godhania is responsible for the practice’s Crown Court team and is particularly skilled in EncroChat cases. Sunita Mehta is praised for her ‘exceptional client care’ and has recently led on matters involving murders, and high-profile clients charged with driving offences. Associate Fergus Harrington, who specialises in money laundering cases and complex white-collar crime, is also recommended.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘ABV Solicitors are a standout firm in the area of general crime. They have a wide spectrum of legal talent on their roster. They offer clients impeccable advice and a conscientious service, guiding them seamlessly through complex litigation when the stakes cannot be greater.’
  • ‘They have a core of experienced solicitors who have been with the firm for over a decade. This means they are able to provide a comprehensive service, drawing on a wealth of practical experience across all levels of tribunal. They are extremely dedicated to client care and making an effort to match client to counsel.’
  • ‘Rob Borwick has an approachable style offering frank, clear, and careful advice. Akhtar Ahmed is highly experienced across the spectrum of criminal law. Sunita Mehta is exceptionally hard-working and diligent with the ability to dig deep into a case and carefully scrutinise complex, detailed, and novel cases. Hanisha Godhania is unflappable in her approach and is not afraid to give strong advice when needed.’
  • ‘Sunita Mehta is a partner who cares. She dedicates time to her clients and her cases in a way that is unusual in the current very busy climate and as a result, is a pleasure to work with. The care with which she analyses the issues ensures her clients are able to make the best decisions in their cases.’
  • ‘ABV have real strength in depth, ranging from their partners to their trainees. They deliver a first-rate service to their clients through assiduous attention to detail and a highly committed approach to client care. Every solicitor I have worked with has shared that level of commitment, and it comes through in the case preparation.’
  • ‘Akhtar Ahmad is one of the best solicitors in London. He brings an intellectual curiosity and an enthusiasm for the law to bear on a diverse practice encompassing terrorism offences, serious violence, dishonesty and sexual offending. Sunita Mehta has exceptional client care at the heart of her practice. She deals with litigation very efficiently, and running a case with her is always an easy experience.’
  • ‘ABVs provide a premium service to their clients. They will go the extra yard to pursue lines of enquiry, instruct the best experts and demand a high level of service from their counsel.’
  • 'Akhtar Ahmad (Partner) is bright, enthusiastic and hard-working. He is able to rapidly deconstruct cases and identify the real issues. He is particularly well regarded in cases involving allegations of murder and terrorism. He also represents clients very effectively in fraud cases. He has a keen eye for detail, which is a vital quality for that type of work.'

Work highlights

  • Advised in the high profile multi-rape and sexual assault trial of a Premier League footballer playing for Manchester City FC.
  • Advised a Sheffield United FC player in a highly publicised assault resulting in a pitch invasion by fans at Wembley Stadium.
  • Advised in the high profile gang murder tried at the Old Bailey involving rival gangs using the famous “drill music” as part of their murder operation.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Akhtar Ahmad, Robert Borwick

Other key lawyers

Hanisha Godhania, Sunita Mehta, Fergus Harrington