5 Essex Chambers

Leila is a dual-qualified barrister in England & Wales and Canada specialising in public inquiries and inquests, administrative and public law, public international law, human rights and regulatory law. She is consistently ranked as a leading barrister in the UK and Canada.

She routinely acts in large-scale, high-profile inquiries and inquests of national significance, which frequently involve extensive and sensitive evidence, national security considerations, parallel political or criminal processes, and intense public and media scrutiny.

Leila acts for government departments, public and private organisations, senior public officials, bereaved families, and as Counsel to the Inquiry. Her experience across public, regulatory, international and human rights law brings complementary expertise and a broader strategic perspective to these complex and sensitive cases.

Current and recent instructions include the Manston Inquiry for the Cabinet Office; Nottingham Inquiry for the Home Office; UK Covid-19 Inquiry for the Cabinet Office, No.10, HM Treasury and senior government figures; and acting as Counsel to Canada’s Foreign Interference Inquiry. Previous work includes the Manchester Arena Inquiry for the bereaved families; Gosport Independent Panel as Counsel to the Inquiry; Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry for the Information Commissioner; and the Hillsborough Inquests for the former Assistant Chief Constable of West Midlands Police.

Leila’s wider public law practice includes acting for government departments, corporate entities, individuals and a variety of public and private organisations across a broad range of public law matters. Her experience includes advising on statutory powers, government decision-making, public consultation processes, and policy development, as well as acting in litigation brought by and against government, public, professional disciplinary and regulatory bodies.

Leila is appointed to the Attorney General’s Public International Law Panel and Civil Panel of Counsel, the Panel of Specialist Advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law and the Equality and Human Rights Commission Panel of Counsel.

Before joining the independent Bar in 2012, Leila spent ten years as a local government lawyer, acting for the local authority across its public, corporate and statutory functions. This gave her substantial experience in public administration, government decision-making and implementation of national and local legislation and policy.

Leila sits on the Executive Committee of the European Circuit of the Bar and the Manchester Law Society International Committee, where she co-chairs the North America Sub-Committee. She is also a member of the Canadian Bar Association International Law Section Committee.

Please visit the 5 Essex Chambers’ website for Leila’s profile, which sets out full details of her practice including relevant work of note. 

European Circuit of the Bar

Manchester Law Society International Committee

International Bar Association

International Law Association

Canadian Bar Association

Canadian Council on International Law

Toronto Lawyers Association