Ashtons Legal

Crime and Regulatory

Senior Associate

Maya is a Senior Associate in the Regulatory team, primarily based in the Norwich Office.

Maya’s career has spanned nearly two decades specialising in criminal defence and Public Law. Maya qualified as a Duty Solicitor in London where she regularly appeared before a wide range of Magistrates Courts and Police Stations, conducting her own advocacy. This involved being on the frontline representing detainees at police stations, vulnerable clients, including young people, those with complex mental health needs and victims of trafficking. Maya was instructed on representing those charged with Terrorism offences during the London bombing attacks (21/07). Maya has extensive experience working on police investigations led by Trident, Sapphire, Homicide Major Crime, Fraud and Counter-Terrorism Units.

Instructed on Court of Appeal case [2011] 1 Cr App Rep 35, [2010] EWCA Crim 2400, [2011] 1 Cr App R 35, prosecutions under s.31(7) of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1999 – refugees in possession of false passports, where the conviction was quashed.

Maya went onto work in International Law, Human Rights and Public Law. Maya’s Public Law experience includes strategic judicial reviews, and legal challenges against local authorities and public bodies.

For example, Maya was instructed on numerous challenges to local authorities in relation to the provision of accommodation and financial support to destitute children and adults with care needs acting on behalf of Claimants; R (M) v London Borough of Newham [2020] EWHC 327 Admin successful judicial review hearing, where the High Court Judge issued a mandatory order giving the local authority 12 weeks to secure that suitable accommodation is available to a claimant and his family.

Maya also acted on behalf of campaigning groups challenging the closure of Snibston Discovery Museum and libraries across England. These challenges were pursuant to 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act, where local authorities in England and Wales have a duty to provide a "comprehensive and efficient library service". This means they have a duty to offer a broad range of library services and resources to meet the needs of their local populations.

Maya was instructed on two leading and important inquiries, Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Undercover Policing Inquiry and contributed towards the Grenfell Inquiry.

Maya provides robust, strategic advice grounded in experience and compassion, ensuring that each client is heard, respected, and effectively represented throughout their case.

Maya is passionate about using the law as a tool to challenge injustice and defend the rights of those often overlooked or marginalised.

Outside of work, Maya enjoys yoga, currently learning Ashtanga yoga, theatre, and cooking.

Law Society of England and Wales Accredited Criminal Duty Solicitor/Police Station London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association (LCCSA)