Maryam Syed > Chambers of Rachel Langdale KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

Maryam Syed

Position

Maryam Syed is a highly regarded Leading criminal and family practitioner heavily experienced in dealing with serious complex and high profile cases.

She also sits as a Crown Court Recorder.

From defending in the Jill Dando Murder, to prosecuting a RAF Squadron Leader for sexual abuse of boys, to defending a UKIP Councillor in fraud, to Prosecuting a Bishop of a Large Church for Sexual Offences-Maryam has dealt with a wealth of complex serious and notorious cases.

Often instructed prior to charge she advises in highly complicated and distressing matters and is asked to direct the shape of an investigation or defence-and the marshalling of evidence then acting at trial.

She has particular expertise in complex serious sexual abuse cases, rape and historic matters often spanning decades, and in complex multi-defendant serious crime and murder.

Maryam is a Grade 4 Prosecutor and on both the Rape and Serious Crime Panel Lists.

In family she deals with children and allegations of physical and sexual abuse in care proceedings, private law and fact finding.

Maryam has a fearless reputation and is lauded for her ability to talk to and persuade whoever her audience be whether Judge or jury.

She is often asked to deal with cases of extreme sensitivity and represent those who are vulnerable or have physical or mental health difficulties.

She regularly commentates both in the written media and on television.

Maryam is fluent in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi and is often called on to deal with allegations of religious and racially motivated crimes.

She frequently provides training to police, defence, CPS Lawyers, SOITS, ISVAS, Social Workers and NGOs on vulnerable witnesses and defendants, sexual offences, FGM, Forced Marriage and controlling coercive behaviour and modern slavery.

She is direct access qualified and able to accept instructions directly from lay clients.

Career

Called 1993, Lincoln’s Inn. Legal expert on Islam TV (Sky TV). 

She acted as defence counsel in R V Barry George (the murder of BBC TV presenter Jill Dando; from pre-arrest through trial, and appeals to the Court of Appeal; drafting petitions to the House of Lords and European Court and assisting with drafting submissions to the CCRC that led to Barry George’s retrial and acquittal). 

She recently has prosecuted Jordan Worth for assaults and controlling and coercive behaviour upon her boyfriend see BBC documentary “ABUSED BY MY GIRLFREND” (2019) and R V LEWIS accountant to film and theatre stars for fraud. 

 She regularly represents defendants in Operation Trident cases and has defended in Terrorism cases. She has significant experience in major drugs and fraud cases. She acted for the defence in Athelete/Atropine/Adverb, representing a semi-professional footballer cleared of £3.5m conspiracy to supply Class A drugs at two trials. She also has extensive experience of serious high-profile sex cases, including representing Gerald Cattermole in the S Club 7 sex case (the defendant, charged with assaults on underage girls, being the father of Paul, a member of the group). 2009 Sole defence counsel R v Akiniyi Operation Trident attempted murder; 2010 Sole prosecution counsel R v Lunn cellist with LSO and contemporary of Jacqueline Du Pres abuse of boys over 40 years across schools in England. Sole defence counsel R v Urbartas Wisbech murder of Lithuanian woman, defendant exonerated after Crown dropped all charges. 

She is an experienced family and mental health practitioner. She acts in fact finding hearings in relation to serious sexual abuse and domestic violence allegations. In both crime and family she has specialist knowledge of PII, sensitive disclosure, SOCPA agreements and high level sexual offenders. 

Languages

Fluent in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.

Memberships

CBA; FLBA; Lawyers for Liberty; Amnesty International; Solicitors International Human Rights Group; South Eastern Circuit (ambassador).

Education

Richards Lodge High School Wimbledon; Southbank University (LLB Hons).

Leisure

Salsa and Bollywood dance, National Trust, cinema.