Zubair Ahmad KC

Zubair Ahmad KC is a leading silk described as “a phenomenal advocate,” “a great tactician in extraordinarily difficult cases,” and “unbelievably able, immensely knowledgeable and with very sound judgement.” He has significant experience in civil and criminal matters involving corporate, professional, and HNW clients, and is one of the few silks appointed in both civil and criminal law.

He regularly handles cases where civil and criminal law intersect, including parallel proceedings, such as the private law claim in Belhaj (extraordinary rendition) and the corresponding judicial review of the CPS’s decision not to prosecute a public official. He has acted in civil, criminal, and immigration proceedings arising from alleged breaches of Syria sanctions.

Zubair advises on reputational management, successfully avoiding prosecution in several high-profile matters, including securing the release of a British director detained in Albania and preventing prosecution of a HNW client for supporting a proscribed organisation. He also works on immigration and nationality cases, deprivation of citizenship, and judicial reviews challenging the Secretary of State’s decisions.

His practice includes fraud, bribery, corruption, financial crime, economic sanctions, homicide, and national security matters, including the Closed Material Procedure, the Justice and Security Act 2013, and the National Security and Investment Act 2021. He has been called to the Bar of Northern Ireland.

Call: 1995

Silk: 2019

Appointed to the International Criminal Court list of victims and defence counsel (2005)

Appointed to the Attorney-General’s Special Advocates Panel (2005)

Appointed to the Attorney-General’s Special Counsel Panel (2004)

Criminal Bar Association

South Eastern Circuit