Ashraf Khan
- List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law (List C)
- Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
- Midland Circuit
- South Eastern Circuit
- Criminal Bar Association
- Panel of Defence Counsel at the International Criminal Court
- International Criminal Bar Association
- Dubai International Finance Centre
- ADR Group Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator
- LL.B (Hons)
- LL.M.
- Bar Vocational Diploma
- Direct Access Qualified
- “He is very adept at choosing a tactical course and he’s a good barrister when it comes to dealing with difficult clients.” Chambers & Partners 2024
- “He is studious in his attention to detail and charming in court.” Chambers & Partners 2024
- “Ashraf is a senior junior who in reality has a silk’s practice already. He has the ability to cut through the complexity of a heavy case and focus on the real issues for the jury. He has a highly defined level of attention in complex work and always on top of his brief.” Legal 500 2024
- “Ashraf has a great eye for detail as well as a tireless work ethic, a combination which makes him ideal for serious fraud work. He has excellent judgement and takes good points with ease whilst setting aside weak points that dilute the presentation of a defence case.” Legal 500 2024
- “Ashraf combines meticulous preparation with excellent client skills and a particularly persuasive style of advocacy.’” Legal 500 2023 (Crime/Fraud)
- “Has strong knowledge of the law and brings broad, tactical vision to his cases. He is deservedly busy in silk-level work despite being a junior.” Chambers & Partners 2023
- “Ashraf’s strengths lie in meticulous attention to detail. He is certainly tipped to take silk in the next few years by many senior members of the Bar.” “Ashraf is a highly skilled advocate who prepares cases thoroughly and presents a forceful case before the court.” Legal 500 2022
- “He has the ability to quickly instil a degree of courage in his clients.” Chambers & Partners 2022
- “He’s exceptionally talented and an extremely able barrister due to his grasp of the law and sensible approach to the jury. He can outshine leading silks on his day.” Chambers & Partners 2021
- “He is a particularly strong junior in serious crime and fraud. He has dry wit that can wither any hostile witness testimony with ease. He has a huge practice nationally in complex crime. A very safe pair of hands” Legal 500 2020
- “Highly sought after for his calm and collective approach which is never anything but measured. He is well received by clients, fellow professionals and the judiciary.” “He is meticulous in his preparation and presents his cases well before the court.” Chambers & Partners 2020
- “Has a great eye for detail” Legal 500 2019
- “Advises on serious financial crime matters. Regularly defends cases of mortgage, tax and investment fraud” Legal 500 2018
- “Recognised for advising on serious financial crime matters. He regularly defends cases of mortgage, tax and investment fraud… His written work is particularly good.” Chambers & Partners 2017
- “Particularly noted for his expertise in cartel investigations, insider dealing and rate fixing matters. He routinely represents large corporations and individuals.” Chambers & Partners 2016
- “His calm persona can cut through complex issues with ease.” Legal 500 2016
- “Has a nationwide financial crime practice and is regularly instructed to defend in complex fraud cases…has an A to Z knowledge of fraud work.” Chambers & Partners 2015
- “Often has the prosecution running around in circles.” Legal 500 2015
Instructing Ashraf Khan
To instruct Ashraf or for any further information please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7440 8888 or clerks@2br.co.uk.
Ashraf Khan specialises in Business Crime & Regulation, Professional Discipline, Police Misconduct, Inquests and Health & Safety. With a reputation for providing outstanding representation across all his practice areas, Ashraf routinely appears in some of the most complex and demanding cases across the country.
Ashraf is particularly noted for his ability to successfully navigate through difficult and sensitive cases with careful efficiency and ease. Given his profile, Solicitors and Regulators often instruct him in highly contentious proceedings, which require intense preparation and skilled presentation in court or at a hearing. He is regularly engaged during the early stages of major investigations to give clients the benefit of his expertise, strategic advice and assistance.
Ashraf’s clients include regulators; professionals facing disciplinary proceedings, particularly those who work in the health care sector; public and private organisations; directors, shareholders and high net worth individuals looking for commercially pragmatic advice and representation to protect their reputation and business interests.
Ashraf’s substantial experience as an advocate has also equipped well to accept instructions from interested parties involved in inquests; where a calm and sensitive approach is required, balanced with an authoritative and firm examination of the evidence.
Ashraf currently sits as an Independent Legal Adviser to the Fitness to Practise Committees at the General Optical Council (GOC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). He also sits as an Independent Legal Adviser to the Disciplinary Committee at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Ashraf accepts instructions under the Direct Access Scheme and is authorised to conduct litigation. He is an accredited Civil & Commercial Mediator, a registered Lawyer with the Football Association (FA) and is approved to conduct cases for the defence at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Ashraf is frequently cited by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners Directory as a leading Barrister in his fields of expertise. Most recent observations and commentary include:
‘Ashraf has a great eye for detail as well as a tireless work ethic, a combination which makes him ideal for serious fraud work. He has excellent judgement and takes good points with ease whilst setting aside weak points that dilute the presentation of a defence case.’
“Ashraf has the ability to cut through the complexity of a heavy case and focus on the real issues for the jury. He has a highly defined level of attention in complex work and always on top of his brief.”
“Ashraf combines meticulous preparation with excellent client skills and a particularly persuasive style of advocacy.”
“Has strong knowledge of the law and brings broad, tactical vision to his cases. He is deservedly busy in silk-level work despite being a junior.”
“Ashraf’s strengths lie in meticulous attention to detail.”
“Ashraf is a highly skilled advocate who prepares cases thoroughly and presents a forceful case before the court.”
“He has the ability to quickly instil a degree of courage in his clients.”
“He’s exceptionally talented and an extremely able barrister due to his grasp of the law and sensible approach to the jury. He can outshine leading silks on his day.”
“He is a particularly strong junior…. He has dry wit that can wither any hostile witness testimony with ease. He has a huge practice nationally….. A very safe pair of hands”
“Highly sought after for his calm and collective approach which is never anything but measured. He is well received by clients, fellow professionals and the judiciary. He is meticulous in his preparation and presents his cases well before the court.”
Practice Areas
Ashraf offers clients highly specialised and dedicated representation at all levels of the criminal justice system. He has appeared in Courts throughout England and Wales in cases of the highest national profile. He provides his lay and professional clients with outstanding legal knowledge, clearly focused and timely advice, and robust and effective advocacy.
Ashraf offers exceptional experience and ability in the defence of a wide range of serious and complex criminal cases involving serious organised crime; all forms of homicide, particularly gang related executions; serious violence and public disorder; large scale drug trafficking; terrorism; blackmail; kidnapping; and armed robbery.
Over the years, Ashraf has gained substantial expertise in dealing with the use and interpretation of scientific evidence, including DNA; facial mapping; firearms residue; cell-site analysis; and complex medical evidence.
Notable Cases:
- Operation Ardeonnaig: South London gang machine gun shooting.
- Operation Avalanche: Gang related execution over drugs territory.
- Operation Landseer: Gang related execution killing.
- Operation Baritone: Gang related execution killing.
- Operation Movate: Gang related public disorder and attempted murder.
- Operation Chapletown: Gang related murder where prosecution offered no evidence against the client after legal argument 8 weeks into the trial.
- Operation Poppy: Executions carried out by gangs in Liverpool at war over drugs territory.
- Operation Filey: High profile planned murder by a pharmacist of his wife.
- R v WC & 3 Others: Murder of a man alleged to have abused young children
- R v GW: Causing the death of elderly man during the course of a burglary.
- R v LW: High profile murder in Middlesbrough involving gang related execution and drugs.
- R v DC: Defending man who strangled his ex-girlfriend to death in a secluded woodland park in Birmingham during sexual intercourse.
- R v MH: Murder of vulnerable adult by a gang of youths.
- R v SSM & 5 Others: Highest profile honour killing case to date. Successfully defended the only defendant charged with the honour killing of Benaz Mahmod.
- R v RR: Defendant charged with gang related murder over a drugs dispute.
- R v FK & 8 Others: Gangland shooting over drugs dispute.
- R v BS: Attempted Murder of husband.
- R v AH, MH & Others: Attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm and violent disorder.
- R v DH & Others: drugs related gangland execution.
- R v BT: Attempted Murder of her husband.
- R v AO: Gang related violent disorder resulting in death of 3 men.
- R v RL & Another: Father and son charged with murder of their wife/ mother and perverting the course of public justice.
- R v SC: Unprovoked murder of a stranger.
- R v G & Others: Multi handed gang murder.
- Operation Venetic/Oberon: International drug trafficking.
- Operation Vermont: International drug trafficking.
- Operation Clubman: International drug trafficking involving cocaine in excess of 200kg.
- Operation Jericho: Large scale drug trafficking.
- Operation Washington: Large scale conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- R v GH & 18 Others: Large scale conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs.
- Operation Frank: Large scale importation and supply of Class A controlled drugs.
- Operation Alamos: Large scale importation and supply of Class A controlled drugs.
- Operation Penshurst: Large scale importation and supply of Class A controlled drugs.
- Operation Ebony/Brisbane: International drug trafficking.
- Operation Heptagon: Armed robbery.
- Operation Marble: Firearms supply
- Operation Iron: Conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, Police corruption and misconduct in public office.
- R v AG and Others – Armed robbery of high value items from a distribution centre.
- R v MW & 8 Others: Conspiracy to Import and Supply Class A drugs worth £6.6 million.
- R v MS & 8 Others: Conspiracy to Supply Class A and Money Laundering.
- R v PS & 11 Others: Large-scale conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration from the UK into Canada.
- R v MR & 6 Others: Client alleged to be part of a highly organised crime group facilitating illegal immigration from Bangladesh.
- R v IM & 35 Others: Representing one of the main defendants in one of the largest drugs conspiracies prosecuted in the Midlands.
- R v DJ & 12 Others: Instructed to represent the defendant charged with evading duty on cigarettes on a substantial scale.
- Operation Manifest: Defending in large scale and highly organised drugs conspiracy involving organised crime group in Sheffield and Nottingham supplying drugs to North East of England. Defendant acquitted of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- R v S & 8 Others: Defending one of the lead defendants in a multi-million drug trafficking case involving a sophisticated organised criminal group based in North East England.
- R v JW & 8 Others: Representing one of the main defendants in this large scale drugs conspiracy involving millions of pounds of heroin. Defendant acquitted.
- R v OO & 15 Others: Representing one of the defendants charged with conspiracy to facilitate sham marriages between British Nationals and nationals of an African origin for significant profit.
- Operation Tartrate: Representing one of the defendants charged with evading duty of cigarette importation on a substantial scale.
- R v PW & 7 Others: Representing lead defendant charged with conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration on a large scale.
- R v N & 23 Others: Client charged with supply of controlled drugs on commercial scale. Case also linked to a separate but linked murder trial.
- R v E & Others: Defence counsel in large-scale conspiracy to import/export class A drugs and money laundering valued at over £80 million. Case stayed as a result of successful abuse of process application.
- R v RB & Others: Multiple rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment and assault.
- Operation Harehill: High profile CSE case in the North West of England
- Operation Span: The highest profile CSE case to date.
Ashraf is a fraud defence specialist. He provides advice and representation in some of the largest and most complex fraud cases to come before the Courts in the country. He specialises in advising and representing corporate and individual clients across the full range of white collar criminal offences, business crime, and related regulatory proceedings.
Ashraf’s services are often called upon at the earliest stage of a fraud investigation to assist in active case management. Due to the sheer size of the fraud alleged and the volume of documents involved, he often works within a team of specialist lawyers and forensic accountants during the preparatory stages.
Ashraf has experience of a wide spectrum of the business crime or regulatory issues which can face companies or individuals, including criminal anti-competitive behaviour (cartels, insider dealing, market abuse, LIBOR and other foreign exchange rate), Fraud (including Revenue (VAT and excise/duty diversion), mortgage, carbon credit trading, banking/fraudulent trading, factoring, MTIC/Carousel, boiler room, land banking, money laundering and “Ponzi” schemes) and Intellectual property crime.
Notable Cases:
- Operation Warbird: Substantial fraud on HM Government Department
- Operation Abundant: Multi million pound MTIC fraud
- Operation Hyperion: multi million pound money laundering.
- Operation Nightjar 2: Multimillion pound money laundering
- Operation Hornet: large scale fraud and tax evasion
- Operation Dublin: Complex Trading Standards prosecution into fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.
- Operation Supertop: £53 million international money laundering.
- Operation Yates: Multi million pound money laundering linked to major drugs trafficking conspiracy in North East England.
- Operation Lever: Alleged multi million pound International Revenue Share Fraud on mobile phone industry.
- RE: AW: Investigation into a multimillion pound insider dealing syndicate carried out by the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF).
- R v EA and others: High value fraud on lending institutions and banks.
- R v RS: High value Tax fraud.
- R v PS & 8 Others: Multi million pound conspiracy to defraud Banks.
- Operation Coil: Defence of a mortgage broker charged with conspiracy to defraud lenders in excess of £1.6 million.
- Operation Thatcham: Instructed to defend in a large-scale conspiracy to defraud Insurance companies.
- Operation Lollipop: Defence of man accused of large-scale conspiracy to defraud insurance companies.
- Operate Savate: Instructed to represent the lead defendant, a company director, in allegation of direct and indirect tax fraud within the construction industry. This case has been described at the largest construction fraud to be prosecuted to date.
- Operation Bamburgh: Instructed to represent one of the main defendants in what has been described as the largest mortgage fraud to be prosecuted to date.
- Operation Nacho: Instructed to represent one of the principal defendants. This case has been described as the largest ‘cash for crash’ fraud ever prosecuted in the country. The allegation involves a large-scale fraud on insurance companies through false/exaggerated accident and personal injury claims.
- R v NC & 4 Others: Representing defendant charged with fraudulent trading on a substantial scale.
- Operation Enigma: Client alleged to be part of a £200 million international money laundering crime syndicate.
- R v TP & 6 Others: Trading Standards prosecution of organised crime group involved in large scale counterfeit goods fraud.
- R v AD & 17 Others: Instructed to represent defendant charged with large-scale ‘cash for crash’ insurance fraud.
- R v MG & 5 Others: Represented one of the principal defendants (a professional banker) charged with laundering the proceeds of her father’s cheat on the public revenue which ran into millions.
- Operation Anerley: Representing the lead defendant as leading junior in this multi-million pound mortgage fraud.
- R v JP & 4 Others: Representing defendant charged with £1 million money laundering. The source of the money alleged to by the proceeds of drug trafficking.
- R v MC & 6 Others: Representing lead defendant in a £100 million steel fraud.
- Operation Pompeii: Representing one of the defendants in a multi-million pound mortgage fraud.
- R v MA & 20 Others: Substantial fraud on insurance industry.
- R v IH & 8 Others: Substantial MTIC (Missing Trader) fraud.
- Operation Jericho: Multi million pound money laundering resulting from proceeds of crime generated via drug trafficking.
- R v PJ & 5 Others: Represented acquitted defendant of multi million pound fraud.
- Operation Euripus: Representing first defendant on the indictment in what was described at the largest MTIC fraud ever prosecuted by Revenue and Customs at the time.
- R v FA & 8 Others: International £144 million fraud perpetrated against Virgin media.
- R v RJ & Others: ‘Advance Fee Fraud’. Client charged with conspiracy to defraud. Case involved large scale operation instigated by the West Midlands Police Organised Crime Unit, the Home Office and the Organised Crime Squad of West Africa.
- R v MT & Others: Representing lead defendant and company director of a time share company charged with conspiracy to defraud in excess of £1 million.
- R v WK & Others: Representing lead defendant charged conspiracy to defraud and alleged to be the lead conspirator in defrauding banks and other lending institutions of substantial sums of money.
Ashraf is the first choice of counsel for many solicitors across the country and lay clients who need dedicated and effective representation for the most serious criminal allegation. Most of Ashraf’s instructions in homicide cases have involved gang related executions and contract killings.
Ashraf has extensive experience of working within a team of specialised lawyers who are dedicated to investing time and effort into the case in order to ensure that every aspect of the prosecution’s case is scrutinised so that every aspect of the prosecution’s case is tested before the jury.
When presenting the defence case, client’s and solicitors feel reassured knowing that everything is being done to ensure the defence is presented in the best possible light to the jury. Ashraf has extensive experience of guiding client’s through difficult murder cases strategically and successfully.
Often in gang related cases issues of admissibility, disclosure, causation, joint enterprise, cut-throat, bad character and hearsay arise. Ashraf has substantial experience of managing cases of this kind. He also has a track record of working with experts for the defence when the expertise/accuracy/integrity of prosecution experts are challenged.
Notable Cases:
- Operation Ardeonnaig: South London gang machine gun shooting.
- Operation Avalanche: Gang related execution over drugs territory.
- Operation Landseer: Gang related execution killing.
- Operation Baritone: Gang related execution killing.
- Operation Movate: Gang related public disorder and attempted murder.
- Operation Chapletown: Gang related murder where prosecution offered no evidence against the client after legal argument 8 weeks into the trial.
- Operation Poppy: Executions carried out by gangs in Liverpool at war over drugs territory.
- Operation Filey: High profile planned murder by a pharmacist of his wife.
- R v WC & 3 Others: Murder of a man alleged to have abused young children
- R v GW: Causing the death of elderly man during the course of a burglary.
- R v LW: High profile murder in Middlesbrough involving gang related execution and drugs.
- R v DC: Defending man who strangled his ex-girlfriend to death in a secluded woodland park in Birmingham during sexual intercourse.
- R v MH: Murder of vulnerable adult by a gang of youths.
- R v SSM & 5 Others: Highest profile honour killing case to date. Successfully defended the only defendant charged with the honour killing of Benaz Mahmod.
- R v RR: Defendant charged with gang related murder over a drugs dispute.
- R v FK & 8 Others: Gangland shooting over drugs dispute.
- R v BS: Attempted Murder of husband.
- R v AH, MH & Others: Attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm and violent disorder.
- R v DH & Others: drugs related gangland execution.
- R v BT: Attempted Murder of her husband.
- R v AO: Gang related violent disorder resulting in death of 3 men.
- R v RL & Another: Father and son charged with murder of their wife/ mother and perverting the course of public justice.
- R v SC: Unprovoked murder of a stranger.
- R v G & Others: Multi handed gang murder.
Ashraf’s experience as a leading criminal Barrister has equipped him with the necessary skill set required to focus on developing a strong Professional Discipline and Regulatory law practice. He offers high quality, practical legal advice and representation from interim hearings all the way through to final substantive hearings, appeals and judicial review challenges in the High Court. Ashraf currently advises and represents individuals, businesses and regulators in professional disciplinary and regulatory cases across a wide range of sectors. These include:
Heath and Social Care Sector
Ashraf accepts instructions to appear in Fitness to Practise proceedings on behalf of all major health care regulators, including the General Medical Council (GMC), Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), General Dental Council (GDC), General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and Social Work England (SWE). He also has substantial experience of defending professionals and organisations, often being engaged very early to assist his Instructing Solicitors and clients with important strategic decisions from the outset to achieve the best possible outcome.
As a mark of Ashraf’s experience and expertise in this sector, he has been appointed as an Independent Legal Assessor/Legal Adviser to the Fitness to Practice Committees at the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the General Optical Council.
Police Misconduct
Police misconduct is fast becoming one of Ashraf’s principal areas of practice. He offers well-reasoned strategic advice and effective representation, ensuring the best outcome for his clients. Ashraf recently advised a senior met police officer accused of sexual misconduct. He is currently representing a met police officer charged with offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
Sports Sector
Ashraf has wide ranging experience of dealing with sports related disciplinary hearings. He sits as a disciplinary panel member for UK Athletics and is a registered lawyer with the Football Association (FA). Recently, Ashraf successfully represented a high-profile organisation which faced allegations of abuse made by an international gymnast before Sports Resolutions Independent Case Panel.
Legal Sector
Ashraf have experience of representing Solicitors and Barristers accused of misconduct by their regulator. He successfully defended a senior Barrister facing over multiple allegations of dishonesty. All charges were dismissed at the final hearing. He also advised a high-profile solicitor facing disciplinary action before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. The Solicitor avoided strike off.
Financial Sector
Ashraf has substantial experience of representing individuals facing disciplinary proceedings within the financial sector. He also sits as an Independent Legal Adviser to the ACCA’s Disciplinary Panel.
Ashraf recently advised and represented a UK based high-net-worth individual facing insider trading allegations made by the French Financial Regulator, Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). All charges were dismissed by the Committee sitting in Paris.
Ashraf’s experience as a leading criminal Barrister has equipped him with the necessary skill set required to focus on developing a strong Professional Discipline and Regulatory law practice. He offers high quality, practical legal advice and representation from interim hearings all the way through to final substantive hearings, appeals and judicial review challenges in the High Court. Ashraf currently advises and represents individuals, businesses and regulators in professional disciplinary and regulatory cases across a wide range of sectors. These include:
Heath and Social Care Sector
Ashraf accepts instructions to appear in Fitness to Practise proceedings on behalf of all major health care regulators, including the General Medical Council (GMC), Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), General Dental Council (GDC), General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and Social Work England (SWE). He also has substantial experience of defending professionals and organisations, often being engaged very early to assist his Instructing Solicitors and clients with important strategic decisions from the outset to achieve the best possible outcome.
As a mark of Ashraf’s experience and expertise in this sector, he has been appointed as an Independent Legal Assessor/Legal Adviser to the Fitness to Practice Committees at the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the General Optical Council.
Police Misconduct
Police misconduct is fast becoming one of Ashraf’s principal areas of practice. He offers well-reasoned strategic advice and effective representation, ensuring the best outcome for his clients. Ashraf recently advised a senior met police officer accused of sexual misconduct. He is currently representing a met police officer charged with offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
Sports Sector
Ashraf has wide ranging experience of dealing with sports related disciplinary hearings. He sits as a disciplinary panel member for UK Athletics and is a registered lawyer with the Football Association (FA). Recently, Ashraf successfully represented a high-profile organisation which faced allegations of abuse made by an international gymnast before Sports Resolutions Independent Case Panel.
Legal Sector
Ashraf have experience of representing Solicitors and Barristers accused of misconduct by their regulator. He successfully defended a senior Barrister facing over multiple allegations of dishonesty. All charges were dismissed at the final hearing. He also advised a high-profile solicitor facing disciplinary action before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. The Solicitor avoided strike off.
Financial Sector
Ashraf has substantial experience of representing individuals facing disciplinary proceedings within the financial sector. He also sits as an Independent Legal Adviser to the ACCA’s Disciplinary Panel.
Ashraf recently advised and represented a UK based high-net-worth individual facing insider trading allegations made by the French Financial Regulator, Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). All charges were dismissed by the Committee sitting in Paris.
Ashraf has a well-established practice in coronial law, underpinned by his Certificate in Coronial Law from the University of Bolton’s Centre for Contemporary Coronial Law — a course endorsed by the Chief Coroner’s Office. This specialist training gave him a deeper understanding of modern coronial practice, as well as the skills to manage interested parties with sensitivity and authority.
What distinguishes Ashraf’s inquest practice is the way it is strengthened by his substantial experience in criminal, regulatory, professional disciplinary, and health and safety law. This breadth allows him to bring both strategic judgment and effective advocacy to cases that often carry significant procedural, reputational, and regulatory risks.
Ashraf is known for his measured and pragmatic approach, combining meticulous preparation with a hands-on service to instructing solicitors. His ability to navigate the sensitivities of the inquest process — while keeping a clear focus on protecting professional and organisational reputations — has led to his regular instruction by national and multinational organisations, healthcare providers, and police forces.
Chambers and Partners has described Ashraf as “exceptionally talented” with “a sensible approach to the jury,” while The Legal 500 notes that his calm persona allows him to cut through complex issues with ease. These qualities, alongside his recognised advocacy skills, have made him a trusted choice for solicitors seeking counsel who can balance legal rigour, reputational awareness, and practical strategy in the most demanding inquest settings.
In the healthcare sector, Ashraf represents professionals, practices and organisations in complex inquests with significant reputational implications. He provides carefully structured strategies from the outset, combining thorough preparation with hands-on advocacy. Working closely with internal teams and external experts, he ensures evidence is presented clearly and persuasively. Alongside the advocacy, he guides clients and instructing solicitors ensuring that the client’s professional reputation and standing are fully protected. His background in professional disciplinary work strengthens his ability to anticipate regulatory issues that often arise in these cases.
Ashraf also represents police forces and individual officers in sensitive inquests, including those arising from operational incidents and deaths in custody. These matters often carry not only legal and procedural challenges but also reputational and public interest risks. Drawing on his regulatory and misconduct experience, Ashraf advises on strategy from the earliest stages, identifying the most effective approach to disclosure, witnesses, and media scrutiny. Through his calm, measured, and effective advocacy, he safeguards both the professional reputation of officers and the institutional credibility of the forces involved.
For corporate and public sector organisations, Ashraf acts in inquests arising from workplace fatalities and large-scale industrial incidents. He works in close partnership with instructing solicitors, in-house legal teams, and technical experts. His focus is not only on presenting the strongest possible case before the Coroner but also on ensuring that wider organisational interests — including regulatory compliance, operational integrity, and corporate reputation — are preserved. His substantial experience in health and safety and regulatory law complements his inquest practice, enabling him to provide strategic foresight and effective advocacy where the stakes are invariably high.
Ashraf Khan is a highly respected barrister with extensive experience in Health and Safety law, acting on behalf of both the defence and prosecution. He is regularly instructed in complex, high-profile cases arising from workplace incidents, including fatalities, serious injuries, industrial accidents, environmental hazards, and regulatory breaches. His practice spans all stages of proceedings, from early investigative advice and risk management, through to trial advocacy, sentencing, appeals, and inquests.
Ashraf’s practice is supported by substantial experience in criminal and regulatory law at the highest level, which complements his Health & Safety work. He is trusted for his judgement, strategic insight, and commercially sensitive advice, enabling clients to manage both legal and reputational risk effectively. Solicitors acting for both defence and prosecution rely on him for guidance in complex, high-stakes matters.
Ashraf is recognised in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, where he is described as:
- “Highly knowledgeable, strategic, and approachable — a barrister who quickly inspires confidence in both professional and lay clients.” (Chambers & Partners)
- “A persuasive advocate with excellent judgement, who combines technical skill with a practical understanding of what matters most in court.” (Legal 500)
Defence Work
Ashraf is frequently instructed by specialist solicitors on behalf of companies, directors, site managers, and employees facing investigation or prosecution by the HSE, local authorities, or other regulators. He is known for being accessible, responsive, and commercially aware, providing advice that is tailored to the client’s specific needs.
Ashraf understands that Health & Safety investigations can carry serious reputational, operational, and financial consequences, and he takes a practical and strategic approach to manage these risks. He is often instructed at the earliest stage, working with solicitors to shape investigation strategy, manage compliance, and protect client interests. Early advice can often prevent escalation to prosecution and minimise exposure.
Key areas of defence work include:
- Advising during PACE interviews and regulatory investigations
- Contesting and appealing Improvement Notices, Prohibition Notices, and enforcement actions
- Defending corporate manslaughter and gross negligence cases
- Representation in contested trials in the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court
- Inquest advocacy, including multi-party investigations following workplace fatalities
- Mitigation and sentencing advocacy in cases involving substantial financial and reputational risk
- Advising on health and safety management systems to prevent future exposure
Ashraf has acted across a wide range of sectors, including construction, manufacturing, transport, warehousing, engineering, healthcare, and food production, and regularly advises on complex regulatory compliance issues, risk assessments, and reporting obligations.
Prosecution Work
Ashraf is regularly instructed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to prosecute serious Health and Safety cases. He is hands-on throughout every stage, collaborating closely with inspectors, expert witnesses, and colleagues. He is praised for working effectively as part of a team, exercising sound judgement, and presenting technically complex cases with clarity and impact.
Recent prosecutions include:
- Life-changing injury from defective machinery – prosecuted to conviction with significant financial penalties
- Fall from height at a construction site – complex multi-party issues of contractor responsibility and supervision, resulting in conviction and substantial fines
Other prosecution experience includes:
- Fatal accidents in construction, transport, engineering, and industrial sectors
- Serious injuries in manufacturing, warehousing, and healthcare environments
- Fire safety, chemical, and hazardous substances prosecutions
- Breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter cases
- Inquests arising from workplace deaths, often involving multiple parties and complex evidence
Inquest Experience
Ashraf has extensive experience in inquests following serious workplace incidents and fatalities, advising and representing clients and solicitors in high-stakes, complex investigations. He helps clients to:
- Navigate procedural and evidential complexities
- Coordinate and manage expert witnesses and technical evidence
- Deliver clear and persuasive advocacy to coroners and panels
- Manage parallel civil, criminal, and regulatory proceedings
- Address reputational and media-related issues
His inquest work spans construction, transport, manufacturing, engineering, healthcare, and food production sectors, often involving multi-party investigations and highly sensitive circumstances.
Sports Disciplinary Law
Ashraf Khan has extensive experience in sports disciplinary and regulatory law, providing expert legal advice and representation to athletes, coaches, trainers, sports organisations, regulators, and law firms. His practice focuses on disciplinary proceedings, regulatory investigations, appeals, and safeguarding matters, offering practical, commercially aware, and strategically informed guidance in complex and high-stakes cases.
Ashraf has acted in many high-profile and sensitive matters, representing individual sports professionals facing allegations, organisations managing disciplinary processes, and regulators conducting investigations. He is familiar with all aspects of disciplinary law, including investigations, panel hearings, sanctions, appeals, anti-doping rules, safeguarding obligations, and codes of conduct under national and international sporting regulations. He also undertakes suitable pro bono and public interest work, reflecting his commitment to fairness, integrity, and justice in sport.
His membership of disciplinary panels, including serving as a panel member for UK Athletics, gives Ashraf valuable perspective on how evidence is assessed, arguments are weighed, and decisions are reached. This experience allows him to anticipate issues, advise strategically, and prepare submissions that are carefully structured and persuasive, providing clients with a clear advantage in presenting their case.
Ashraf is recognised for his sound judgment, reputational awareness, commercial sensitivity, and hands-on, team-based approach. He works closely with clients, advisers, and stakeholders to develop strategies that protect careers, reputations, and organisational interests. His approachable and reassuring manner ensures that clients feel supported and confident throughout the disciplinary process. He guides them through complex procedural and reputational considerations with clarity and instils confidence at every stage.
Recent instructions have included acting for a gymnasium and its directors and trainers against allegations of child cruelty and abuse made by a prominent gymnast. Instructed at short notice, Ashraf collaborated closely with the clients and their solicitors to prepare a comprehensive and robust response. All allegations were dismissed at the final hearing. This case demonstrates his ability to manage reputationally sensitive and complex matters with meticulous preparation, strategic judgment, and a commercially informed, collaborative approach.
In addition to representing direct access clients, Ashraf regularly supports law firms and professional teams requiring specialist external counsel for sports disciplinary matters. He advises on procedural strategy, likely outcomes, reputational considerations, and evidence management. His disciplinary panel experience and detailed understanding of disciplinary law enable him to represent clients with precision and foresight, even in the most challenging cases.
Ashraf is equally experienced in pro bono and public interest work, applying the same accessible, hands-on, commercially aware, and reassuring approach. Whether acting for individuals, organisations, or professional teams, he ensures clients are fully supported, well informed, and confident throughout the disciplinary process.
Clients instruct Ashraf for his expertise in disciplinary law, experience of tribunal processes, strategic judgment, meticulous preparation, collaborative approach, and ability to reassure and inspire confidence. His dual role of advising clients and serving on disciplinary panels provides valuable perspective and helps him achieve outcomes that protect careers, reputations, and organisational interests.
Ashraf has a growing public law practice, underpinned by his extensive experience across regulatory, disciplinary, and criminal jurisdictions. He is regularly instructed by public authorities, regulators, and government departments in judicial review proceedings, statutory appeals, and administrative challenges, both as sole counsel and as part of wider litigation teams.
His work in this area extends well beyond conventional judicial review, encompassing statutory appeals, disciplinary challenges, and the exercise of public powers by regulatory bodies. Ashraf’s clients include the Government Legal Department, Health and Safety Executive, Care Quality Commission, and the Environment Agency, as well as individuals and organisations bringing challenges against public bodies.
Ashraf is increasingly instructed in Government Legal Department work across a range of departments and jurisdictions. Recent and prospective matters have included judicial review and statutory appeal cases for the Department for Work and Pensions, the Legal Aid Agency, and HM Courts & Tribunals Service, arising through the Constitutional and Social Care Public Law Division. His work has involved summary grounds of defence, acknowledgments of service, and statements in response under the Family Procedure Rules, often on tight government deadlines. He is valued for his ability to combine forensic drafting, accurate statutory analysis, and clear procedural strategy, making him a reliable choice for urgent public law instructions at Panel level.
He has acted in judicial review and appeal proceedings across a wide range of statutory and administrative contexts, including:
- Immigration and asylum, particularly challenges to deportation, detention, and certification decisions.
- Professional and regulatory discipline, including challenges to the decisions and procedures of healthcare, legal and professional regulators.
- Health and safety, environmental and licensing enforcement, acting for and against regulators such as the Health and Safety Executive, Care Quality Commission, Environment Agency, and local authorities.
- Police misconduct and disciplinary proceedings, involving challenges to investigative decisions, fairness of hearings, and proportionality of sanctions under the Police (Conduct) Regulations.
- Public sector governance and procurement, including cases raising issues of consultation, legitimate expectation, and reasonableness in public decision-making.
- Human rights and equality, where Articles 5 (right to liberty and security) and 6 (right to a fair hearing) of the ECHR, together with the Equality Act 2010, are engaged in assessing procedural fairness and proportionality.
Ashraf’s Attorney General’s Regulatory Panel experience strengthens his public law expertise, as he routinely advises and appears for regulators and public authorities in matters involving the exercise of statutory powers, disclosure obligations, and fairness in decision-making. He is valued for his meticulous preparation, analytical precision, and ability to manage large volumes of material within complex procedural frameworks.
He has prepared merits assessments, grounds of challenge, and appellate pleadings for the Government Legal Department, demonstrating skill in identifying arguable errors of law, assessing prospects realistically, and producing high-quality written work under pressure.
Ashraf’s experience sitting on regulatory and disciplinary tribunals enhances his understanding of the practical application of public law principles. He brings the same clarity, structure, and balance to his public law instructions, ensuring that his advice and advocacy are consistently principled, measured, and precise.
He accepts instructions from government departments, regulators, local authorities, and individuals seeking representation or advice in judicial review, statutory appeal, or wider public law and regulatory proceedings.
