Zubair Ahmad KC

Zubair Ahmad KC is a leading silk described as “a phenomenal advocate”; “a great tactician in extraordinarily difficult cases” and “unbelievably able, immensely knowledgeable and with very sound judgement”.

He has significant experience in both civil disputes and criminal matters involving corporate, professional and HNW clients.

Zubair is one of only a few silks appointed in both civil and criminal law. He regularly works on cases involving parallel civil and criminal proceedings or where the civil and criminal law intersect: he worked on both the private law civil claim in Belhaj (extraordinary rendition) and in the parallel judicial review brought by Belhaj of the CPS’s decision not to prosecute a public official for complicity in his rendition to Libya. He has acted in civil, criminal and immigration proceedings arising out of alleged breaches of the Syria sanctions.

He regularly advises corporate, professional and HNW clients on reputational management and has successfully avoided prosecution in a number of significant cases by making pre-charge representations or otherwise brought proceedings to an end: he acted for a British director who was detained in Albania pending extradition to Bahrain for alleged fraud and secured the withdrawal of the extradition request and his immediate release. He recently acted for a HNW client who avoided prosecution for supporting a proscribed organisation contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000.

He works on immigration and nationality matters including deprivation of British citizenship cases arising out of allegations of criminality. He has worked on a number of judicial review cases involving foreign citizens challenging the Secretary of State’s refusal to relocate them to the UK. He has successfully secured relocation in each case.

Has experience of advising corporate and professional clients on the Official Secrets Acts. With very significant expertise in Closed Material Procedure and the Justice and Security Act 2013 he is able to advise corporate clients on all aspects of the National Security and Investment Act 2021.

His areas of practice in addition to general crime include: all forms of fraud, bribery and corruption, financial crime and economic sanctions. He is currently acting for a director who is accused of being part of a scheme to launder £263 million in cash via the Nat West bank – this was the first case in which a bank was prosecuted for money laundering.

He has very extensive experience of homicide trials. Since taking silk he has successfully defended in a number of homicide trials: R v AY (prosecution offered no evidence in response to an application to stay proceedings as an abuse of process); R v KK (acquitted of all charges by the jury) and R v MG (acquitted of all charges following successful submission of no case). Prior to taking silk he had extensive experience of prosecuting the full spectrum of homicide trials as a monitoree Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court.

He has additionally been called to the Bar of Northern Ireland.

Zubair accepts Direct Access instructions.

What others say:

“He is a phenomenal advocate with both broad and deep expertise.” – Chambers UK 2024 (Crime)

“He was very responsive, even at the police station stage, and his written work was exceptional.” – Chambers UK2024 (Crime)

“Totally involved in the detail of his cases, he’s measured, pragmatic and the kind of person you want on your side.” – Chambers UK 2024 (Crime)

“He is one of these individuals who is effortlessly composed, very calm and compelling, but has the mastery of detail at his fingerprints. A great tactician in extraordinarily difficult cases.” – (Civil Liberties & Human Rights)

“Zubair has fantastic client care skills, is empathetic and really puts his clients at ease. He has a real attention to detail, is extremely focused and has a very calming disposition. His written work is also exceptional.” – Legal 500 UK 2024

“He is fantastically articulate and impresses with his tireless approach. He always fights for his clients.” – Chambers UK 2023

“Zubair is always extremely well-prepared, with an outstanding eye for detail. ” – Legal 500 UK 2023

“He goes into court knowing the papers inside out and backwards.” – Legal 500 UK 2022

“He grasps the complexity and details of a case thoroughly and easily. He’s an astute tactician and possesses all the skills you require in a barrister. He tirelessly pursues the best interest of your client.” – Chambers UK 2020

“He goes into court knowing the papers inside out and backwards.” – Legal 500 2020

“Unbelievably able, immensely knowledgeable and with very sound judgement too.” – Legal 500 2017