Rustem Guardian

Rustem Guardian Solicitors was founded in 2005 by senior solicitor, Timur Rustem. Rustem Guardian has established itself as a formidable niche criminal defence firm based in London.

Rustem Guardian Solicitors continues to be sought out for the defence of complex crime cases including Murder, Serious Sexual Offences, Country Lines Drug cases, Financial Crime, Account Freezing Orders, and Forfeiture proceedings associated with substantive investigations or proceedings. A large proportion of these cases have an international aspect and multiple agency operation, and are often high-profile, receiving significant attention in the local and national press. The firm has also established a presence within the Far East, specifically China, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Key aspects of our practice:

• Exceptional expertise in the full range of crime work, including Serious Crime (Murder, Drugs, Serious Sexual Offences) and Fraud and Financial Crime.
• Murder: Over the past year, Rustem Guardian Solicitors have continued to represent a number of individuals who have been charged with Murder, including gang murders. Our cases in this category are exclusively dealt with by the senior lawyer Timur Rustem who carefully appoints experienced Barristers including King’s Counsel and experts where required.
• Drugs: The firm has become known for our work in a number of multi-handed, county-lines drug cases, often with complex evidence to review, including where youths are used to operate the line raising issues of modern-day slavery.
• Serious Sexual Offences: Rustem Guardian is well known for its team of specialist solicitors who provide a dedicated and discreet service to primarily private clients facing false allegations of sexual offences. The team has recently, and successfully, dealt with a number of high-profile cases, including our representation of an award-winning BBC producer and a number of international clients living in the UK.
• Fraud and Financial Crime: Defence of serious fraud and financial crime, advising clients domestically and internationally, including senior members of the legal profession. The offences often involving complex issues of law and jurisdiction, with prosecutions brought by agencies including the Serious Fraud Office, Financial Services Authority, Office of Fair Trading, Serious Organised Crime Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, and the Medicines & Healthcare Regulatory Agency. We also handle matters involving account freezing orders, cash seizures and asset restraining orders. Notably, we have successfully opposed and limited in time Account Freezing Orders brought by the National Crime Agency against our international clients.
• Confiscation:Rustem Guardian are well versed in dealing with confiscation proceedings arising from complex substantive proceedings. Rustem Guardian have successfully challenged both the benefit figures and available amounts asserted by the prosecution by conducting in-depth analysis of the substantive offence, while gathering evidence on behalf of our clients who are often in custody and have difficulty obtaining documentation to assist with their defence. We also have the expertise to assist our clients once the confiscation order has been made – for example where an extension of ‘time to pay’ the confiscation order is required, or where the prosecution commence enforcement proceedings in the Magistrates Court.
• Substantial experience in handling appeals. Rustem Guardian Solicitors offers a wealth of expertise in pursuing appeals for those who have been wrongly convicted at trial having been represented by another firm or for appealing their sentence. It offers an unparalleled, first-class service with a highly skilled team who leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of grounds of appeal.
• First-Of-Their-Kind cases. Rustem Guardian were instructed in what is thought to be the first Encrochat case, as the evidence was served prior to the NCA announcement in June 2020.