Rajiv is a criminal defence barrister. He has appeared in trials and appeals on behalf of individuals charged with murder, terrorism, drug trafficking, armed robbery, fraud, money laundering and other areas of serious crime. He has been instructed as leading junior counsel in a number of cases. He is particularly interested in cases involving human rights violations and the abuse of power by the state.
Rajiv also specialises in civil actions against the police, criminal judicial review, extradition, inquests and Privy Council death penalty appeals.
Before becoming a barrister, Rajiv spent an exhilarating three years working for Newham Monitoring Project, an anti-racist campaigning organisation that provides legal advice and practical support to victims of racial and police harassment in east London.
Reported cases
Attorney General's References (Nos. 85, 86 & 87 of 2007) sub nom R v Tsouli, Mughal & Al-Daour [2007] EWCA Crim 3300 - Court of Appeal - Led by Henry Blaxland QC - Appeal on the appropriate sentences to be passed for inciting terrorist murder through internet websites & chat forums
R v Rowe [2007] EWCA Crim 635, [2007] 2 Cr App R 14 - Court of Appeal - Led by Mike Mansfield QC - Appeal on the availability of self-defence in terrorist cases and the ambit of sections 57 and 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000
Thomas & Stubbs v Central Criminal Court [2006] EWHC 2138 (Admin), [2007] 1 Cr App R 7 - Divisional Court - Judicial review on how to approach lack of due diligence when challenging a decision to extend custody time limits
R (Gillan & Quinton) v Metropolitan Police Commissioner & Home Secretary [2006] UKHL 12, [2006] 2 Cr App R 36 - House of Lords - Led by Rabinder Singh QC - Judicial review of the use of arbitrary stop and search powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 against political protestors and a journalist
Hasani v Blackfriars Crown Court [2005] EWHC 3016 (Admin), [2006] 1 Cr App R 27 - Divisional Court - Judicial review on the procedure to adopt when a defendant found unfit to plead becomes fit prior to disposal
R v Quayle & others [2005] EWCA Crim 1415, [2005] 2 Cr App 34 - Court of Appeal - Appeal on the availability of the necessity defence to those who use or supply cannabis for medicinal purposes
Percy v DPP [2001] EWHC Admin 1125, [2002] Crim LR 835 - Divisional Court - Led by Keir Starmer - Appeal by way of case stated on whether a public order conviction for standing and writing on an American flag is compatible with the right to freedom of expression under article 10 of the ECHR
R v Reid & others [2001] EWCA Crim 1806, [2002] 1 Cr App R 21 - Court of Appeal - Appeal on the admissibility of psychiatric reports ordered by the court in a cut-throat murder trial
R v Lambert, Ali & Jordan [2001] 1 Cr App R 14 - Court of Appeal - Led by Ian Macdonald QC - Appeal on whether the reverse legal burden on a defendant to prove diminished responsibility in a murder trial is compatible with the presumption of innocence under article 6(2) of the ECHR
R v Davis [1998] Crim LR 564 - Court of Appeal - Appeal on whether a screwdriver is a bladed article in law
R v Roble [1997] Crim LR 449 - Court of Appeal - Appeal on how legal advice to remain silent when questioned could prevent an adverse inference direction under section 34 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
Other notable cases
R v Bullivant (2007) - Old Bailey - First contested trial for breach of control order obligations - Cerie Bullivant was acquitted on grounds of reasonable excuse
R v Khyam & others (2006-2007) - Old Bailey - Operation Crevice "fertiliser bomb plot" trial - Led by Helena Kennedy QC - Represented Shujah Mahmood who was acquitted of conspiracy to cause explosions
Stephen Lawrence Public Inquiry (1999) - Junior counsel for Dwayne Brooks, the principal eyewitness and surviving victim of the racist attack that killed Stephen Lawrence - Led by Ian Macdonald QC
