Our People at Caveat Solicitors in London

Rehana Choudhry

Rehana is the Principal and founder of Caveat Solicitors. She qualified as a solicitor in 1998 after training at a West London based specialist family practice where Rehana was made a partner and worked continuously until 2010. The stability of working at one firm for so many years provided Rehana with a wealth of experience in not only legal case work but also enhanced her management skills which is why she is able to run and manage Caveat Solicitors so effectively.

Rehana has worked in the areas of Family and Child Care law since training in 1996 and has been a member of the Law Society Childrens Panel since 2003. She is also a Specialist Accredited Member of Resolution since 2010 with specialist knowledge in the areas of children and domestic violence.

Rehana has volunteered for Rights of Women working on their telephone advice line, helping and advising some of the most vulnerable people of society. She also runs legal advice surgeries for charities around London providing pro-bono advice to vulnerable clients including those affected by domestic abuse.

Rehana has dealt with a broad spectrum of cases representing parents, grandparents and other adult parties in both public law and private law proceedings involving children.

She has specialist knowledge and experience in dealing with non-accidental injury cases and has dealt with a number of complex and high profile cases involving the controversial shaken baby syndrome. In all of these cases Rehana has successfully represented the clients to rehabilitate children back to parental care. Her experience and knowledge of criminal defence work has enhanced Rehanas expertise in advising clients with related parallel criminal proceedings.

Rehanas current case load consists of both public law and private child care matters, many with international and cultural issues; she has also had a significant case load in the past involving Chinese nationals and has developed an effective understanding of working with clients from different ethnic backgrounds who may not be familiar with the legal procedures. She has also dealt with cases where domestic violence is involved, representing clients in various fact-finding hearings.

In her spare time Rehana enjoys spending time with her family as well as travelling and cooking. Rehana has also taken part in judicial dry run exercises and is hoping as a progression of her legal career, to apply for a judicial position in the near future.

Niral Patel

Niral is a specialist solicitor in the Family and Child Care Department. She joined Caveat Solicitors in 2012 and was appointed as a director in 2013. Niral has spent her whole career since qualifying in 2009 practicing in London. This has led to her using and attending all Court’s in London and the surrounding areas, understanding how the various local authority’s undertake their work as well as being known to other solicitors in the field and building good working relationships.

She has a keen interest in representing parties in matters involving children and has specialised in this particular area since qualification. Niral is confident in undertaking all areas of Family work and especially matters within Children Act proceedings. She continues to represent parents, grandparents and other family members. Where, and if possible, Niral will undertake her own advocacy, but will also work collaboratively with counsel where instructed.

Niral is a member of Resolution’s Specialist Accreditation Scheme in the areas of Private Law Children and Domestic Abuse. Niral is confident in undertaking all areas of Family work but in particular matters within Children Act proceedings.

Also, as an Accredited Member of the Law Society’s Children Panel, Niral represents children through their Children’s Guardian and children independently as well as parents and other family members. Niral has extensive experience in dealing with complex care proceedings with issues such as non-accidental injuries, FII, sexual abuse, emotional harm, neglect, domestic abuse, substance/alcohol misuse, complex medical needs of children, multiple children and their varying needs, issues of mental health and litigation capacity as well as cases where there are concurrent criminal proceedings.

Niral’s main passion lies in representing parents and parties where the local authority is involved such as applications for care orders, supervision order, placement orders, emergency protection orders and special guardianship orders. Niral is extremely committed to the area of Public Law Children matters and works to the best of her ability to ensure that those who are vulnerable are given high quality legal representation, have their voice heard and achieve the best possible outcome for them. She is an advocate for justice for all.

It is essential for Niral that she has a good rapport with her clients and a relationship of trust. Niral achieves this through her understanding nature, friendly manner and ability to give sound legal advice which provides the client with confidence in Niral. This has led to clients returning to her, referring her legal services to others and continuing to cultivate a loyal following of client’s.

Niral has worked with many clients whose first language is not English, those who cannot read or write and deaf client’s. This has not in any way impeded her relationship with them and strong client- solicitor relationships have been built.

Niral has been able to form strong relationships with local organisations and has been on hand to provide legal advice to both the organisation and the individual seeking assistance often on urgent basis. This has led to organisations having the confidence to contact Niral and Caveat Solicitors as and when required with the reassurance that quality advice is given. This has also allowed Niral and other members of the Caveat Solicitors team to work towards ensuring that everyone has some form of access to legal advice and assistance irrespective of their circumstances.

Niral can assist on the following types of matters:-

PLO matters
Care proceedings which include complex cases where non accidental injuries are involved, international elements and families with complex needs.
Special Guardianship matters
Adoption
Child arrangement orders – arrangements for where a child/ren should live, spend time with.
Parental responsibility orders
Prohibited steps orders
Specific issues orders
Emergency Orders
Domestic Abuse matters
Outside of being solicitor, Niral is a busy mother of 3 children and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Pooja Verma

Pooja joined Caveat Solicitors in September 2012 and is currently heading the Immigration department. She is a qualified solicitor and supervisor.

Pooja qualified as a solicitor in 2010 after completing her part time LPC at BPP Law School, Holborn, London. She read law at the University of Westminster, London. Pooja is a qualified as a Level 2 senior caseworker and supervisor under the Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme.

Poojas experience includes:

Applications for marriage
Unmarried and civil partnerships
Visitors
Dependant relatives
Ancestry and long residence
Family reunion
ILR
Naturalisation
Discretionary leave
Concessionary policies
Human rights
British nationality law
Asylum applications
EEA workers
Family members rights
Removal and deportation matters
Bail applications and much more

Pooja is able to deal with Immigration and Asylum applications through to Judicial Review.

Pooja advises employers on how to apply for sponsorship licence applications and advises employers on how to issue certificates of sponsorship which include Tier 2 and Tier 5 migrants, as well as the intra-company transfers. She has a wealth of experience in all areas of business immigration law including the Points Based System (PBS), and keeps herself up to date with the latest developments in order to guide clients through the immigration process.

Pooja holds an enhanced CRB and has experience of working with unaccompanied minors, victims of domestic violence and detained persons, including the detained fast track process. She has helped many clients and has obtained successful outcomes for them in various applications.

Pooja undertakes her own advocacy at the First-tier Tribunal and has previously assisted clients in relation to their Asylum appeals, Human Rights appeals, bail applications, spouse refusal appeals, student appeals and many more.

Pooja is fluent in Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu; she is interested in travelling and enjoys cooking.

Sabiha Khatoon

IMMIGRATION

Sabiha qualified as a solicitor in 2011 and specialises in all areas of immigration law. She has a masters degree (LLM) in International Business & Commercial Law from the University of West London (UK) 2013.
Sabiha has an excellent rapport with her clients and achieves outstanding results for them, making her an increasingly popular member of the immigration team. She can communicate with the client in multiple languages including English, Punjabi, Urdu, Hindu and Mir Puri.
Sabiha’s expertise and experience is wide ranging and includes the following;

HUMAN RIGHTS LAW

All types of application based on private and family life under Art 8, compassionate and exceptional circumstances/outside the Immigration rules.
Extensive experience when dealing with multi-cultural clients

All entry clearance applications including UK Family visa applications ; spouse visa/civil partner visa , fiancée visa , same sex partner visa, all types of visit visa. Children/Adoptive children of British/settled person visa, application from surrogate children, Adult relative dependent visa,
British nationality and all types of ILR applications based on long residence , domestic violence , as bereaved partner.

Business Immigration Law

Applying for sponsorship licence, work permit visa, start up visa, temporary worker visa, overseas business representative visa.
Student visa and Graduate visa, Bail hearing, appeal work, administrative review, injunctions and judicial Reviews.

James Liasis

James Liasis Solicitor LLB (Hons)
Head of Criminal Department Caveat Solicitors

James Liasis is a Criminal Defence Law Solicitor who is the Supervisor of our Criminal Department. He has achieved Duty Solicitor status, Supervision status, as well as Higher Rights of Audience (right to advocate in the Crown Court)and is currently applying to be a Very High Cost Case (VHCC) Supervisor.

He has attended a large amount of police stations including representing Defendants facing serious charges including Drug Conspiracies and Murder.

He also attends the Magistrates court regularly to act in criminal proceedings and to fulfil his Duty Solicitor requirements.

James now conducts and specialises, as a Solicitor, in the Crown Court, some of the most serious and large scale matters including Murder, Fraud, Drug Conspiracies, Serious Sexual Offences amongst others, country wide, and is continually growing his reputation in ensuring maximum effort and positive results in such cases. He has had large success in the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal.

James can take on work on a private or legally aided basis. He can and has accepted instructions from clients all over England and Wales. He has a support team of trainees, paralegals and police station representatives to ensure maximum productivity on all cases.

Whilst conducting the above, he has also amounted a diverse rapidly growing client base including professional clients, international clients and those in the local community, by ensuring maximum effort is given to all clients and the preparation of their case, no matter the size or complexity. You will find his style very approachable and friendly.

He can act in all Criminal Defence matters including Pre-Arrest, Police station, Magistrates and Crown Court representation as well as Confiscation, Cash Seizure, Restraint Orders and advice and assistance on Appeal Matters and Judicial Reviews.

He can represent those facing serious allegations brought by agencies including the CPS, NCA, SFO, FCA, RSPCA, local councils and the Trading Standards.

He works closely with many high level and ranked barristers including Kings Counsel each specialising in their own practice areas which can suit all client’s needs. He also has access to specialist professional experts to assist in the defence of a case including phone, cell-cite, computer and psychiatric experts as well as private investigators.

In his spare time James enjoys watching his beloved Arsenal where he has had a season ticket for over 20 years. He enjoys keeping fit at the gym as well as playing football, tennis and boxing. He also is an avid runner and completed 5 half marathons and 2 full marathons raising a substantial amount of money for charity.

Selected Court cases include:

HOMICIDE

Murder – R v X (2019) – Northampton Crown Court – multi-handed murder with national press coverage.
Murder – R v Y (2020) – Central Criminal Court – Youth knife related murder described in national press as “Trojan-horse trap” Murder - Mental Health issues.
Manslaughter – R v A (2021) – “One punch death” case within HMP Brinsdown. Press coverage. Sentence appealed via AG Reference, given the leniency of sentence as a result of representation.

APPEALS

Appeal Against Conviction heard in front of Lord Chief Justice at the Court of Appeal. Appeal Successful and Conviction Quashed. Ground breaking case and one of national interest as regards the importance of ensuring that in every criminal trial care is taken so that false or inadmissible evidence does not become adduced in a trial either accidentally or negligently. This was also after successfully arguing leave after being refused initially. R v MB (2020) - Section 18 GBH with press coverage.
Appeal Against Sentence – R v X (2020) Court of Appeal – Successfully reduced sentence in a Murder Conviction.

FRAUD

R v P (ongoing) - Operation Reverse - Conspiracy to Defraud and Money Laundering. High level money laundering for organised criminal network via numerous schemes including crypto currency.
Conspiracy to Defraud – R v D (2019) – Blackfriars Crown Court – 10 million pound “diversion” fraud. Three month trial. Follow on trial from a Fraud trial earlier in the year with large press coverage.
Large Scale Immigration Fraud - R v D (2021) - Operation Lexes - Lead Defendant - Southwark Crown Court. Four month trial. Press coverage.
Conspiracy to Defraud (2022) – R v A – Durham Crown Court. Operation Tuscan – Courier Fraud.
37 million pound Money Laundering - R v A (2016) - Central Criminal Court. Case collapsed after Defence representations regarding disclosure. Investigated by National Crime Agency.
Conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry to UK (2022) – Newport (IOW) Crown Court – Smuggling illegal migrants from France to UK. National Crime Agency Investigation.
Fraud/ Perverting the Court of Justice – R v R (2021) – Portsmouth Crown Court – “Businessman Fraudster” / UK “Tinder Swindler” alleged to have deceived woman into handing over cash – Large Press Coverage.

DRUGS

Conspiracy to Import Class A – R v L (2024) – Kingston Crown Court – Case involving the importation in excess of 200 kilo’s of Cocaine. Six-handed, eight week trial.
Conspiracy to Supply Class A – R v S (2021) – Southwark Crown Court – Case involving “encro-chat” phone material. Large scale importation and dealing.
Conspiracy to Supply Class A – R v O (2023) – Bristol Crown Court – County Lines Drugs case with multiple Defendants.
Importation Cannabis/Money Laundering – R v ML (2018) – Harrow Crown Court – Case dismissed after plea negotiations. Also argued separately to un- freeze client bank accounts successfully.
Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs – known as the “Breaking Bad case of Bristol” in the press (2014) – Bristol Crown Court. Only Defendant to be acquitted after half time submissions.
Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs 10 Kilos R v TH (2014) - Central Criminal Court - Lead Defendant
Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs R v JF (2015) - Lincoln Crown Court - Lead Defendant in case over 15 Defendants spread over 3 Trials

SEXUAL OFFENCES

Rape - R v I (2024) – Maidstone Crown Court – Former high profile Doctor charged with historic rape allegations. Acquitted. Press coverage.
Attempted Rape Minors/ Sexual Assault Minor (2022) – R v C - Lewes Crown Court- Attempted rape/ sexual assault involving step-daughters.
Rape trial involving a youth at Central Criminal Court (2017) R v S
Rape of a minor R v PP – (2015) – Croydon Crown Court – Acquitted of Rape.
Rape R v W (2016) – Croydon CC – Case discontinued.
Rape R v O (2023) – Croydon CC – Case involving a vulnerable victim at a care home. Acquitted.
Sexual Assault involving Police Officer - R v JB (2013) Blackfriars Acquitted – Press Coverage

SERIOUS VIOLENCE

GBH section 18 x 2, Sexual Assault x 2, Offensive Weapon (2022) – Southwark Crown Court – “Hammer attack” in Central London. Prosecution argued for a “life order” – Successfully defended against. Nationwide Press Coverage.
Conspiracy to Rob – R v R (2024) – Kingston Crown Court – Organized Crime Group targeting high end jewelry and watches in violent armed attacks across the Streets of London. Flying Squad investigation. Operation Swanhold.
Section 18 GBH (2018) – R v HA – Case involving stabbing of two minors. Case dismissed on first day of trial after disclosure issues Defence put forward.
R v E (2024) - Conspiracy to Supply Firearms. Operation Hessmer where 52 arrests were made.
Section 18 GBH (2019) – R v A – Snaresbrook Crown Court - Gang related stabbing with a shooting element. Youth matter.
Death by Dangerous Driving (2021) – R v A – Maidstone Crown Court – Young victim with press coverage. Acquitted.
Conspiracy to Kidnap and Rob (2023) – R v H – Burnley Crown Court – Planned Kidnap and Robbery with press coverage. Prosecution offered no evidence after legal arguments once trial started.
Kidnap/Blackmail/False Imprisonment (2022) R v K- Snaresbrook Crown Court - Chinese male accused of offences in relation to a large debt owed to him. After representations pre-trial matter discontinued.
Section 18 GBH/Violent Disorder (2024) R v D – 42 handed case involving the travelling community at England Boxing National Youth Championships. Press coverage.
Rare case of Conspiracy to Commit Unlawful Burial R v RV (2013) - Isleworth Crown Court

TERRORISM

R v X (2023) - Represented at the police station a 14 year old boy with autism charged with terrorism offences. Through careful advice and representations, no further action taken.

Sinead McCaffrey

Sinead joined Caveat Solicitors in 2022 as a Paralegal in our crime department

Sinead’s working style and unique approach has afforded her a high reputation with our client base.

Sinead has assisted on an extensive caseload of criminal defence work, from assisting clients who are involved in police investigations, through to preparing Youth, Magistrates, Crown Court and Appeal proceedings.

Sinead has worked on a diverse workload with a focus in all areas surrounding Criminal defence. The spectrum of her case load varies including road traffic and driving offences, drug offences, burglary, assault, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault, arson, murder, possession of firearms, theft, public order offences, Criminal damage, attempted robbery, possession of offensive weapons, possession of prohibited articles whilst in prison, conveying prohibited articles into prison, child cruelty and breach offences.

Sinead works extremely well with the more vulnerable clients especially our youth and clients that suffer with mental health and disabilities.

Sinead has assisted clients in obtaining expert help to ensure they are represented fairly and justly include liaising and instructing on the client’s behalf, intermediary’s and medical experts.

Sinead understands that each client is an individual and works closely with each client to ensure that their service and the care they require is tailored to clients on an individual basis.

This has afforded her an exceptional reputation with our clients. She is particularly noted for her attention to detail, empathy, trustworthiness and passion to strive for the best result possible.

In 2016 – 2019 Sinead volunteered for the pro bono project ‘Lawyers in the Soup Kitchen Brixton’. Her role at the project included being a legal consultant and senior member of management. Sinead managed the housing sector at the project and worked with her team to provide free legal assistance on a wide range of issues, to the community at the weekly sessions.

Sinead’s skill set ranges from low level crime to those specified under the more serious nature, her notable cases include:

Notable Cases

R v DC (2022) Possession of firearm without a certificate, Possession of Ammunition without a certificate - (Case dismissed).

R v LJ (2022) - GBH with intent (against a police officer) (acquitted).

R v ZP (2021) Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (acquitted)

R v Y (2020) – Youth, Robbery and possession of an offence weapon – (acquitted of all charges).

R v F (2020) – Conspiracy to Supply class A drugs – (case dismissed)

R v X (2020) – Multi handed Youth Murder – with national press coverage.

R v J (2020) Multi-handed Gang Related Murder involving firearms – with national press coverage.

R v G (2019) – Assault and Criminal Damage – (acquitted on all charges)

R v F (2019) Possession of a prohibited weapon – (acquitted of charges)

R v R (2019) Multi-handed Murder, GBH, Arson with intent to endanger life – with national press coverage

R v M (2019) Burglary - dwelling

R v H (2019) Convey prohibited items into prison – (acquitted of all charges).

R v T (2019) Possession of indecent child images.

R v K (2019) Racially Aggravated GBH.

R v S (2019) Possession of offensive weapons with intent to endanger life.

R v C (2018) Child Cruelty.

R v A (2018) Multi-handed GBH trial involving a stabbing and firearms.

Other Staff

We have many other solicitors and admin team enabling us to provide you with experience, expertise, skill and the highest standards of client care, this includes: Jahangeer Choudhry [Office Manager], Tasleem Bhatti [Reception & Admin Manager]

Our staff and clients are the foundation of our firm and our most valuable asset

Call us today on the number listed at the top of this page for more information on how any of our highly qualified staff can assist you.