Abbas Lakha KC

Abbas Lakha KC is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most successful and respected leading silks, with a heavyweight practice which encompasses a broad range of specialist areas.

He is regularly instructed to advise upon and defend in the most challenging and high-profile cases. He is particularly sought after to advise in International financial crime cases, representing clients both in the UK and around the world.

Background and Expertise

Abbas has experience in all forms of Civil and Criminal Fraud and asset forfeiture work, including restraint and confiscation, and appears before the Tax Tribunals (First Tier and Upper Tier) in respect of VAT and Tax cases. He is highly respected for his advocacy, his attention to detail and his negotiating skills. Regularly instructed to advise at the pre-investigative stages of cases, Abbas has extensive experience of representing high profile individuals for whom reputation management is a significant concern.

Rated in Chambers UK and Legal 500 directories as a leader in the fields of international crime, murder, terrorism, financial crime and asset forfeiture, Abbas Lakha KC is noted for his detailed preparation, incisive examination and strong jury advocacy. He is particularly skilled in handling international money laundering cases, bribery and corruption prosecutions, VAT frauds, missing trader frauds and insider dealing cases.

Areas of Expertise

• Financial Crime

Expertise in defending in large-scale HMRC MTIC/VAT frauds, SFO cases, Bribery and Corruption allegations, money laundering cases, and fraud related civil proceedings in the High Court [with civil Juniors].

Notable cases include: HMRC v Sunico ApS and Others, R v Goddard (Operation Vaulter), R v Gathani (Operation Inertia), R v Hague (Operation District), Z Khan v HMRC.

• Tax and Fraud

Abbas has experience in all forms of Civil and Criminal Fraud and asset forfeiture work, including restraint and confiscation, and appears before the Tax Tribunals (First Tier and Upper Tier) in respect of VAT and Tax cases.

In the Criminal Courts he has defended in some of the most high profile tax and duty evasion cases over the years including R v Goddard (Operation Vaulter), R v Gathani (Operation Inertia), R v Hague (Operation District) and the London City Bond series of cases.

In the Tax Tribunals (First Tier and Upper Tier) Abbas has appeared on behalf of Directors and Companies in cases concerning penalties, personal liability notices, HMRC’s decisions to withhold input Tax and excise duties arising from a failure to follow HMRC procedures.  He is also regularly instructed in an advisory capacity to assist Companies and Individuals wishing to challenge HMRC actions which are seen to be in excess of power.

• International Crime

Work undertaken includes being a Consultant to the Sabra Team at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, advisor to a Kenyan politician (extradition request from Jersey to Kenyan authorities) charged with corruption and money laundering, advisor to former British soldiers on anti-piracy duty in the Indian Ocean arrested in India, advising a Russian oligarch in relation to his financial affairs in the UK, and advising British Nationals residing in the UAE in respect of potential prosecution for financial fraud in the UK.

• Extradition

Experience of challenging European and International Arrest Warrants including Interpol Red Alert Notices.

• Domestic Crime Including Rape and Murder

Notable expertise in both large multi-handed murder cases, contract/organized crime cases, through to terrorism related murders as well as allegations of Sexual Crime, both current and historical.

• Regulatory Work

Undertakes VAT Tribunal work before the Upper and First Tier Tribunals and represents Accountants, Lawyers, Medical personnel and sports personalities before their disciplinary Tribunals.

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.

• Private Prosecutions

Abbas has experience of prosecuting and defending in private prosecutions on behalf of both individuals and corporate entities and is a member of the Private Prosecutors’ Association. He can lead clients through the procedural maze of the Criminal Justice System in mounting a Private Prosecution, the thorny issue of disclosure right up to preparing and presenting the prosecution case at trial.