Kishoree is a highly experienced Criminal Defence solicitor. She qualified as a Solicitor in 1986 and joined Sheratte Caleb & Co Solicitors in 1986, becoming a Partner in 1993 assisting them in acquiring membership of Serious Fraud Panel. Kishoree joined Freemans Solicitors in 2006, where she is a Partner Partner and joint Head of Criminal department; she is a specialist practitioner in complex cases ranging from murder, fraud, money laundering and Confiscation proceedings and criminal appeals.
Kishoree specialises in difficult cases whether complex due to the facts or allegation or as a result of the legal matrix. Involved in reported cases, the most recent related to the instruction of intermediaries for vulnerable defendants. She is known for her attention to detail, tactical approach and effective support of her clients and her high level of expertise in her subject matter. She works with high calibre experts and is acknowledged by her clients and third parties for her unstinting commitment to her clients and cases.
Kishoree recently represented a pharmacist acquitted of murder in a case of assisted suicide, she also successfully resisted the application of the General Pharmaceutical Council to remove him from the register, in what will be a high profile decision for the pharmaceutical profession.
She is equally skilled at High value frauds, often with international elements; successful resolution of confiscation cases, where millions of pounds are sought by prosecutors; and negotiating settlements of monies seized under forfeiture proceedings. She continues to act in all levels of criminal cases ranging from importation of drugs, to allegations of a violent or sexual nature.
Kishoree has been a Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer every year since 2014. In the 2018 edition she was described as having “great depth of experience and knowledge of the criminal justice process’ and ‘combines professionalism with humanity, charm, warmth and hard graft.” She has also been a ranked lawyer in Chambers & Partners UK for years 2017, 2018 & 2019. In the 2019 Guide she was described as “always calm, in control and sensitive to clients‘ needs” and also praise her “excellent mastery of the material and vigorous pursuit of defence strategy.”
Kishoree was presented with the Society of Asian Lawyers’ Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award in 2013 by Sailesh Mehta Co-chair of SAL and The Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP. In the words of the organisers “this Award marks Kishoree’s unstinting dedication to assisting those on Legal Aid and her active involvement in the campaign to protect those who may lose this valuable right.”
In 2018, Kishoree was awarded the Highly Commended BSN Lifetime Achievement Award at the UK Diversity Legal Awards 2018. Described by one of her nominators (Natasha Wong QC) as having “dedicated herself to furthering and promoting the equality, diversity and inclusion of all genders and ethnic backgrounds, both within the community and the legal profession. She has never wavered in her commitment and has been at the forefront of several major initiatives that have made a real difference to countless people entering and within the legal profession, as well as to the many who did not know where to turn to for help within the community. Her tireless work with some of the most vulnerable people across all ethnic backgrounds makes her a highly effective champion in the field. She has changed and saved lives; inspired countless people of all backgrounds and ethnic origins to pursue and develop their dreams of a legal career, at a time when few were prepared to devote themselves to helping others to progress. She is the worthiest of nominees for this award”.
Kishoree is a member of the London Criminal Court Solicitors Association, a founder member of the Society of Asian Lawyers and serving Board member of the Association of Women Solicitors. She also served as a University governor for nine years.
A great believer in serving the community, Kishoree has provided Pro Bono assistance to women fleeing domestic violence, provided a free out of hours telephone advice service, careers talks at the Law Society and was legal advisor to two charities. Kishoree speaks Gujarati and conversational Hindi.
Kishoree has dedicated her career to providing legal assistance to the most vulnerable people in our society. In addition to working on the front line Kishoree has also been a proactive opponent and campaigner against successive governments’ attacks on legal aid.
Her cases have included representing:-
- R v Vakani and others. Represented 3 defendants in a large scale money laundering case, alleged to have operated from a Western Union franchise, by an international drug dealing gang. Over 75 witnesses were interviewed by the defence team and all 3 clients were acquitted of money laundering offences. Click here to view more
- R v Pitiyatanakul and ors – represented main Defendant in multi – handed Conspiracy to traffic women for sexual exploitation.
- R v Pyleav and ors – representing client alleged to have planned a major disturbance at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre, resulting in over £5m of damage. Pyleav was acquitted.
- R v Burt – Attempted Murder where represented Defendant with significant learning disability, requiring assistance of registered Intermediary.
- R v Xiao – Businessman ‘faked RBS papers in £30bn property fraud bid’.
- R v Shah – A pharmacist who had been jointly charged with 10 other defendants the majority of whom were pharmacists, with various offences under the Medicines Act and Trade Marks Act. This case involved expert examination of Pharmaceutical rules and regulations, E.C. regulations and instruction of forensic experts. The client was acquitted.
- R v Dowling – An elderly millionaire, who parked a van outside Law Society’s offices – with a sign saying “explosives within”. The client originally charged with Terrorism offences but then pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
- R v Hewitt – Undercover sting operation by Metropolitan police paedophile unit against 27 year old male.
- R v Puskas – Multi handed conspiracy to control prostitutes and trafficking for sexual exploitation.
- R v Rabheru
- R v AR and ZR. Multi-handed conspiracy Represented 2 members of a family, in a case involving ten sign language users accused of have plotted to defraud tens of thousands of pounds for bogus sign language services.
- R v Steinberg & Steinberg – Husband and Wife, large-scale VAT fraud – both acquitted.
- R v G and another – 14 year jointly charged with his step-father of the murder of his sister. The defendant did not speak to anyone except Kishoree and throughout the case preparation, refused to speak to anyone except Kishoree. He was eventually acquitted and Kishoree was commended by the Old Bailey trial judge for the manner in which she had looked after her client.
- R v O – Client charged with Murder. First case where the prosecution used evidence from an individual’s mobile phone billing to link him to a crime.
- R v Navoli – Client accused of deception involving £6 Billion. CPS eventually discontinued case.
- R v Hernandez – South American charged with 11 others in multi handed conspiracy to launder money to the value over £12 million.
- R v Monteiro and others – ‘Gang Rape’ of 16 year old girl.
- R v Matthews and others – SFO Prosecution. £2 million Investment Fraud alleged to have targeted ex-patriots. VHCC, case manager
- R v Morton – Millionaire convicted of killing his ‘trophy’ wife.
- R v Rashid (Yahya) [2017] 1 Cr. App. R. 25 Court of Appeal reported case
This case set down guidelines for the use of defence intermediaries in the Crown Court. Mr Rashid had a profoundly low IQ and had been charged with Terrorism offences under S.5 Terrorism Act 2006. He was assessed as requiring an intermediary but the Crown Court ruled that one was only required for when he gave evidence and not for the whole trial. This was confirmed by the Court of Appeal. The case also established that the question of when a defence intermediary is required in the Crown Court was as not a ‘point of law’ and could not be dealt with on an interlocutory appeal. - R v D. This was a case of an assisted suicide where the defendant (a pharmacist was tried for murder. The assisted suicide was that of his father. In the lead up to the trial, fifty witnesses were interviewed and during the 18 month period the defendant suffered a nervous breakdown and was depressed. Kishoree used her patience and client care skills to support him and his family at a very difficult time but at the same time prepare the case. Her intimate knowledge of the religious and cultural background of the case, was invaluable in explaining the meanings behind the late father’s requests ‘e.g. ’ I want to go upstairs’. A successful half-time submission was made and the Judge was very complimentary of the Defence team throughout.
- R v Samardzija -21 year old charged with murder and 4 counts of GBH. The crown evidence was largely dependent on CCTV footage. Crown say opposing gangs related offence. The Telegraph, Daily Mail, Judiciary UK, The Times, Essex Live, BBC
- R v Benzahi – one of five Defendants in a murder trial of the Old Bailey. Aged 22 and other Defendants all aged between 16 and 18. The victim was 15. The background was that of tension between two gangs, one based in Croydon and the other in Thornton Heath. The evidence revolved around Cell site, phone attribution, Call/SMS/Whatsapp communications between the defendants, Instagram messages and Gang Association. Bad character evidence, together with ANPR evidence, which the crown say demonstrated the orchestration of the attack by the Defendants. This was supported by eyewitness and CCTV evidence at the scene. Click here for more details
- R v Houlder – Rival drugs gang murder. BBC News, Essex Live
- R v W – 15 year charged with adult defendants with murder, violent disorder and possession of knife. Gang war related murder.
- R v Zaman – charged with the murder of his wife.
- R v Woolf – owner and director of safety deposit centres charged with various offences, including money laundering. The crown made a POCA application in excess of £12 million. Following successful submissions, following enquires abroad, the crown settled for £300,000.00. BBC News, The Standard
