Abbas Lakha KC is one of the UK’s leading criminal silks, with a heavyweight practice spanning serious and organised crime, international financial crime, and regulatory and asset recovery work. He is consistently instructed in cases where the stakes are highest—liberty, reputation and substantial financial exposure.
Abbas is regularly instructed in the most challenging and high-profile matters, including murder, terrorism, firearms and major drugs conspiracies; complex financial crime including fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption; and regulatory and tribunal work before the Tax Tribunals and professional disciplinary bodies. He is frequently engaged at the pre‑investigation and pre‑charge stages, particularly in matters involving reputational sensitivity and international elements.
Investigatory Power and EncroChat Litigation
A defining aspect of Abbas’s modern practice is his expertise in challenges to covert investigatory techniques and surveillance‑derived evidence. He has acted in proceedings before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, including litigation arising from EncroChat‑related interception and warrantry issues, addressing questions of lawfulness, statutory interpretation, proportionality and Convention compliance in cases of national significance.
Financial Fraud, Asset Recovery and Regulatory Work
Abbas has extensive experience across civil and criminal fraud and asset forfeiture, including restraint and confiscation, and appears regularly before the First‑tier and Upper Tribunal (Tax) in VAT and tax matters. He is particularly well known for substantial HMRC‑related litigation, including complex VAT/MTIC and excise disputes and challenges to regulatory enforcement decisions.
International and Cross-border Expertise
Abbas is frequently instructed in cross‑border investigations and litigation involving overseas authorities, international evidence and extradition‑linked issues. His work often involves sensitive reputational considerations for high‑profile individuals and corporate clients.
Approach
Abbas is known for meticulous preparation, strategic judgement and calm authority under pressure, combining technical mastery with clear and pragmatic advice focused on achieving the best possible outcome for the client.
Kings Counsel (2003)
Bencher of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (2009)
Inspector for the Department of Trade and Industry (2000)
The Criminal Bar Association of England & Wales Co-opted Committee Member
The Bar Council of England & Wales VHCC Fees Committee
Member of the Crime Editorial Board of LexisNexis
Swahili, Gujarati
The Bar Council of England and Wales
The Criminal Bar Association
The European Criminal Bar Association
International Bar Association
The International Criminal Defence Attorneys Association
The Society of Asian Lawyers
The Society of Black Lawyers
BA (Hons), Leeds Beckett University, 1980–83
Barrister at Law, Bar School, Council of Legal Education, 1983–84