Testimonials

Two matters stand out in relation to Ms Hashmi.

Firstly, her grasp of the facts and the law is the highest standard I would expect. She was of considerable assistance to the tribunal in analysing those facts and presenting them in a detailed yet concise manner. To a very large extent I adopted those submissions in summarising the relevant law.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, Ms Hashmi appreciates …. her client’s case on the facts, she very sensibly does not waste any of the tribunal’s time…. That element of judgement is not always present, even in more experienced counsel.

In summary, my experience of Ms Hashmi is that she has a substantial body of knowledge on employment law, the ability to put that knowledge into practice in a manner that is helpful both to her client and to the tribunal and a willingness to assist the tribunal in the tradition of the highest standards of the bar.

We have instructed Afshan in a number of Employment Tribunal cases. We have found her to be both a thorough and diligent Barrister who is always prepared to go that extra mile for the client with whom she invariably builds a good rapport.

We are the solicitors for the … union in the North West of England and I am the Head of Employment with the firm. We … have a list of preferred Counsel who we have used and who we trust and we will continue to instruct them.

In the last 12 months Ms Hashmi has been instructed by us on three occasions at least. In the two cases that I managed as Head of Department she dealt with very different cases. In the first …The client was very satisfied with her advocacy. On the second of these two cases however she was instructed in a complex constructive dismissal case with four very difficult clients two of who were extremely difficult to handle. The claims were complicated and difficult … The case was complex in its facts and required a grasp of the claimants working practices which were crucial to the judges understanding of their case. It also needed careful cross examination to show inconsistencies between the two sets of witnesses from the original employer and the TUPE’d new employer which was at the heart of the legal issues in the case. Ms Hashmi was patient and thorough in dealing with the claimants who, in my opinion, one in particular demanded how she should run the case. Notwithstanding this we won the case and three of the four claimant got significant pay outs. I can say quite clearly that the way she dealt with the clients in the two very different cases showed a degree of professionalism and attention to detail which means she remains on the list of preferred Counsel.

I am the Head of the Employment Law Department at a commercial firm. I first encountered Ms Hashmi as an opponent on the other side of an Employment Tribunal action… Needless to say Ms Hashmi was familiar with the facts and legal issues, courteous and professional but robust in defending her client’s position. There was a significant amount of personal animosity between the parties involved in the case and the manner in which Ms Hashmi managed to control her client’s perceptions and expectations was apparent, which ultimately helped to resolve the matter. I have since consulted Ms Hashmi on employment related aspects for views and opinions and I have always found Ms Hashmi to be prompt and thorough in her opinions.

In relation to immigration matters, the vast majority of our immigration appeals are referred to Ms. Hashmi. These include matters before the Upper Tribunal and High Court. I have also instructed Ms Hashmi in relation to matters where expertise in both employment and immigration law and business immigration law is required. In my opinion Ms Hashmi is a highly effective barrister; she has an excellent grasp of the law coupled with strong advocacy skills. I have received excellent feedback from clients who she has represented. They have commented on her willingness to robustly put their case forward even in difficult cases where the chances of success are limited. She has excellent client care skills, something which is extremely important in difficult cases. I have no hesitation in continuing to instruct Ms Hashmi …indeed on her recommendation we have instructed alternative chambers when either she or members of her chambers have been unable to represent our clients

Miss Hashmi has always been courteous and extremely professional in her conduct before me. Taking into account her experience and professional conduct and courteous demeanour at all times, she remains focused on the issues in each case despite being under pressure at times, which is not uncommon in this jurisdiction.

My records indicate that she first appeared before me in 2010. She became a regular advocate at the Bradford Tribunal Centre and it was not long before I and my fellow judges appreciated her skills. She was noted for being polite yet firm, both in addressing the law and assisting her lay clients. It was clear that she prepared her cases well, grasping a lot of detail, particularly in asylum cases where research into the country of origin was always necessary. She had the knack of identifying and analysing the issues quickly and summarising them concisely and precisely. Not surprisingly, she had a good success rate. She was ready to engage in discussions with other representatives, both seeking and giving advice. I have found myself being against her, a novel experience. As before, she marshals her facts well and relates them to the relevant law. Always polite, her firmness and abilities in making her arguments has impressed us all (to my cost I have to say). She is developing an envious specialist reputation and is a woman of stature with total integrity.

I have particular knowledge of her expertise in Employment Law. I have had the opportunity to work closely with Ms Hashmi … I am accordingly in a position to provide a reference in relation to her abilities. I have always found Ms Hashmi ‘s grasp of the law very impressive. She understands the legal issues well and is able to get to the root of any problem quickly. I have found myself engaged in lengthy jurisprudential debates on the niceties of the law and, more than once, have changed my views in light of Ms Hashmi’s excellent analysis and robust persuasion skills! ln my opinion Ms Hashmi is a highly effective Barrister. I am aware she has developed a strong reputation amongst solicitors, as a robust Barrister who will fight her corner strongly. I have always found he to be of excellent disposition. She is courteous, polite, and at all times acts with integrity.

As an Employment Judge I have chaired Tribunals before which Ms Hashmi has appeared on one of the parties on a number of occasions. At each hearing Ms Hashmi has shown an excellent grasp of the factual and legal issues relevant to determining the case. In addition Ms Hashmi has fulfilled her professional duties to her client and the Tribunal in conduct of the case. Ms Hashmi has shown herself as extremely capable in dealing with the conduct of a claim in a manner which is proportionate to the issues at stake and has efficiently dealt with the presentation of evidence in chief, cross examination and making submissions.

Miss Hashmi has appeared before me to represent lay clients in a number of immigration appeals. Most recently, I recall two cases in which she had to put forward difficult legal arguments as well as deal with relatively complicated factual matrices. Miss Hashmi was in each case able to take a number of witnesses through their evidence and put forward her arguments in a logical fashion. The manner in which Miss. Hashmi has presented her clients’ cases always demonstrates that she has thoroughly prepared in advance. She has also always shown herself capable of dealing with any issues that present themselves during the course of hearings. I have little doubt that she will continue with a successful career at the Bar.