Our People

Shiraz Rustom (1998)

Teams

Crime, Mental Health, Judicial Review

Education

Education: LL.B. (Hons.), Queen Mary College, University of London
B.Sc. (Hons.), (Lon.) Medical Sciences, University of London

Practice

Shiraz practises principally in the area of criminal defence. He is experienced in all aspects of criminal defence work in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal. He has acted for defendants charged with murder, arson, serious crimes of violence and organised crime, the importation and production of class A and B drugs, and serious public order offences. He has also been instructed in many Proceeds of Crime Act cases.

Shiraz has a particular interest in cases involving mental health issues, and has significant experience in Dangerous Dogs Act and associated animal law cases (relating to ownership, allegations of cruelty etc.) One of his more notable cases was the judicial review (Re. Dino) of a dog destruction case. This resulted in petitions to the House of Lords and Europe, and eventually succeeded following referral to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Another important case in which Shiraz was instructed was R. (Sogbesan) v. Inner London Crown Court (2002) Crim.LR 748, DC (a short sentence with no right of appeal overturned, creating a route of appeal - reported in Archbold (2007) at 7-16).

Profile

Shiraz has a first degree in medical sciences, having studied pre-clinical medicine before coming to the Bar.

His interests include playing in his band, freelance writing, and animal welfare, in which area he has a number of Parliamentary contacts in this area)