Ovais Kadri
o.kadri@allaw.co.uk | 020 8542 9400
I have been practising as a Criminal Law solicitor since 1986. I was a partner in a Criminal Litigation firm until 2016 when I joined Amphlett Lissimore as a Consultant Solicitor. I’m based in our Mitcham office, so regularly attend court and police stations across Wimbledon, Morden, Kingston and Sutton. I conduct trials in the local Magistrates Court and prepare cases for Crown Court trials. I am also a Higher Court advocate.
I call myself a community lawyer. This is because I’ve been serving my local area ever since I became a solicitor – I deal with criminal cases such as domestic violence, theft and youth robberies. I have been involved in defending, over the decades, those alleged to have been involved in the riots that occurred in various parts of London.
I have over 30 years of experience representing clients both as an Advocate and as a Solicitor. I have dealt with young people in the Youth Courts, liaised with their families and agencies such as the Youth Offending Team. Almost all of my young clients accused in adulthood of offences continued to request my services because they know that they can trust my advice and expertise. Even those who were never again involved with the police or courts keep me informed of developments in their lives, I take a great amount of pride in the gratitude shown in helping turn their lives around.
Outside my criminal practice, I have in the past sat on the Law Society Race Relations Committee. I have been a member over the years and at different venues of Court User Groups. I also helped local Victim Support Personnel to understand the needs of accused persons in the criminal justice system.
Notable Cases
R v A (2019) A vulnerable drug user alleged to have been involved in supplying drugs. He was exploited by county lines drug dealers who take advantage of such people. The case against him was discontinued.
R v X (2018) The client was charged with numerous armed robberies over a number of years. It was alleged he was a member of a gang that specialised in armed robbery.The case involved a very high value of goods and the robberies occured over a wide area of the country. It was a complex matter that required perusal of a high volume of documents and CCTV evidence.
R v S (2017) I represented victim of domestic violence accused of murdering her ex-partner. The case required detailed preparation and sensitivity towards a vulnerable client. My experience with domestic violence cases was invaluable in defending and getting a favourable result for this young woman.
R V H (2010) The client was a 14 year old charged with murder of an elderly gentleman outside his place of worship. There were suggestion of the murder being religiously aggravated. I had to deal with this incorrect suggestion. My experience in dealing with young people in the Justice system was of great benefit in the preparation of the case. He was acquitted of murder and by the conclusion of the case it was accepted there was no religious hate motive at all.
R V B (1992) The case was one of an alleged murder in a prison by an elderly convicted drug smuggler. I had to dispel the suggestion that drug dealing issues were behind the alleged murder. The client was alone in this country and he faced in effect the rest of his life in prison. I liased with forensic experts re the nature and cause of the injuries sustained by the deceased. I went around several prisons in England to interview prisoners convicted of very serious crimes as they were potential defence witnesses. Eventually the Prosecution accepted that the whole incident was a misunderstanding amongst prisoners who were cooking a meal together. They dropped the murder charge.
Career
2016 – Consultant Solicitor, Amphlett Lissimore
1999 – Partner, Burnley-Jones Bate & Co
Education
1986 – Qualified as a Solicitor
1976 - Bsc (Econ)
