SJ Law

Described as a “heavyweight in criminal law”, an “intellectual beast” and “indispensable”, Andrew Kerr is a fearless advocate who has a significant amount of experience in criminal defence. He appears regularly in trials in the Crown Court as an advocate and leaves no stone unturned in fighting for his clients’ innocence.

His experience in criminal law ranges from rape, Low Copy Number DNA, firearms, robbery, section 18 grievous bodily harm, indecent images and other sex crimes, cases involving police corruption, drug supply conspiracies, fraud, VHCCs and many more. Andrew is highly experienced is cross-examining victims, expert-witnesses, and vulnerable witnesses, as well as making successful speeches in front of juries, dealing with difficult Judges, making legal submissions, and terrifying the prosecution into dropping the case.

Within the firm Andrew is highly praised as having an encyclopaedic legal knowledge. So much so that Andrew is in charge of providing CPD and he regularly provides lectures on criminal law’s latest developments.

Since joining SJ-law in 2010, Ayesha has been conducting her own Magistrates’ Court and Crown court file preparation as well as performing extensive legal research and advising clients. She qualified in 2008 and has since worked for The Johnson Partnership Solicitors advising suspects regarding PACE interviews, making her an expert in police station practice.
She both specialises and relishes cases linked with computer crime, sexual offences and the defending of youths, and has had the bulk of her experiences focused in these areas.
Some of recent cases have included internet pornography and how in the search for legitimate pornography websites, child pornography can be found on a client’s computer without their knowledge. Ayesha has struck up a strong professional bond with computer experts who are specialists in their field in order to check the Crown’s evidence and prove her client’s innocence.
Another case involved going through the evidence in a youth rape case with a fine tooth comb which culminated in the client’s case being dismissed due to CCTV being requested which established the truth.
Ayesha has a thorough knowledge of sexual offences, offences concerning statutory rape and sexual relationships involving youths in relation to the law.

Chris Wheeler has been a pro-active defence lawyer for the last 15 years. In that time he has successfully defended five murder cases, and not lost any. Chris has dealt with numerous cases that have had regional and national press and TV coverage, with Chris making appearances on the BBC, ITV and SKY news. Chris is an exceptional, hard working defence lawyer, who even turned down the chance to appear on Richard and Judy, when millions of people watched it, he is the dogs xxxxxxx. Hope this is ok and it is all true.

Fiona began working with the legal profession in 1998 as an immigration caseworker. Subsequently, she qualified as an Accredited Police Station Representative whereby she, began working in the criminal law department with Rob Johnson who, in her opinion, is the best criminal solicitor in London.

In February 2004, she began working at SJ Law, as a criminal paralegal caseworker at our East London Criminal law firm supervised by Rob Johnson. In her role, she prepares cases, attends police stations and is seen as an authority on the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Her aim is to be one of the best criminal lawyers in London specialising in serious complex cases.

Although she has worked for criminal legal aid solicitors throughout her career, she also assists clients with immigration on a private basis, applying for visas of all kinds, British Citizenship and other Settlement applications. She is the firms designated welfare benefits advisor.

The area of crime she most enjoys is confiscation, having assisted clients under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 as well as the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. She has dealt with an array of matters from Road Traffic Act offences like drink driving, to multi-handed conspiracies, contracted under the Very High Cost Case Scheme assisting one of the top fraud Solicitors in London.

Fiona works closely with top criminal barristers and experts, recently securely a not guilty verdict in a serious sexual assault allegation in a London Crown Court (R-v-T 2013) and in relation to confiscation proceedings, reducing an exceptionally high benefit figure of £8.3million to £100,000.00 following representing the client for the duration of a two year drug importation and mortgage fraud allegation (R-v-M 2011). She is also in the process of obtaining Certificates of Inadequacy before the High Court in other matters on a privately funded basis.

Loheswaran is a highly motivated and dedicated Solicitor Advocate who specialises in trial advocacy. He has covered a wide ambit of cases from simple Thefts in the magistrates courts, through to the main area of his practice which includes cases of: Rape, Robbery, Possession of Firearms, Sexual Assaults, Grievous Bodily Harm, Fraud, Conspiracy to Defraud Customs and Excise, and Murder in the Crown Court. He concentrates his practice as a trial advocate in the Crown Court, primarily acting as sole counsel since 2006.

Ms Olo is a Criminal Defence Solicitor and has specialised in Criminal Defence for 11 years.

Ms. Olo is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the rights of people accused of committing a criminal offence. She has a vast amount of experience in representing clients charged with a range of offences including; serious assaults, Firearms, Drug Trafficking and Possession, Money Laundering, Armed Robbery and Fraud.

Ms. Olo is pro - active and works with dedication and skill to obtain the best results for her clients. These results include cases being discontinued against clients, no further action results at the police station stage of investigations and not guilty verdicts on a wide range of cases including Murder.

As well as having experience in Criminal Law, Ms. Olo has experience in Civil Law and has represented clients subject to high value Confiscation Orders. Ms. Olo has worked with and instructed reknowned barristers to attend the Royal Courts of Justice to oppose applications made by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs on behalf of her clients.

Called to the Bar: 2000

1.2 Practice Areas
Crime, Immigration, Employment and Prison.

1.3 Education
Max completed his first degree in English and American Literature at Sussex University in 1985, scoring a first class honours. As part of his degree he spent a year studying at Boston University, where he also did some teaching of The Romantic Movement in English Literature and Art at Harvard. As such Max has excellent contacts in the American academic world and a profound understanding of the politics and culture of the US.
He completed the Common Professional Examination at the College of Law in 1998 whilst working as a Managing Clerk for Christmas and Sheehan Solicitors. He successfully passed the Bar Vocational Course the following year in Manchester, and in July 2000 he was called to the Bar. Max comes from a Catholic working class family in Liverpool and was the first member of his family to go to university, and be called to the Bar, something he remains intensely proud of to this day.

In addition to his Legal qualifications Max is a qualified journalist and has passed Professional examinations in Market Research and Advertising.

1.4 Experience
Prior to finally biting the bullet and getting qualified, Max worked first as an outdoor and managing clerk for some of the leading Criminal Legal Aid firms in London. He started at Saunders and Co back in 1990 under the wing of now District Judge Naomi Redhouse. After Saunders and Co he went on to work for Bindmans, Hodge, Hughmans, finally ending up at Tuckers where he met Lee Christmas and Patti Sheehan, and the three of them left to set up Christmas and Sheehan.
Max successfully completed pupillage at 1 Grays Inn Square in 2001. He was invited to join chambers but chose to go in-house with the highly respected Criminal Legal Aid firm, Christmas and Sheehan in Harringay. Max qualified as a Duty Lawyer and was Duty at Highgate and Enfield Magistrates Courts, and 8 Police Stations, building excellent relations and contacts with District Judges, Court staff, Police and the local community. In addition Max was made head of the Police Station Department, and was responsible for 12 full time staff and numerous agents. The five years Max was at Christmas and Sheehan were invaluable in building on his advocacy, analytical and interpersonal skills, He regularly appeared in the Crown and High Court, worked on Murders, substantial drug importation cases, frauds as well as the more routine Road Traffic and Public Order Offences that form the daily bread of any High Street Solicitors’ practice.
After Christmas and Sheehan Max became one of the first Practitioners to go it alone, and freelanced for O'Keeffee Solicitors, Saunders and Co, Hodge Jones, Tuckers, Lawrence and Co, and Duncan Lewis. In the latter firm Max was invited to set up their Youth Court Department. Max has considerable experience and boundless enthusiasm for the Youth Court, has lectured on the subject on an in-house basis and contributed thoughts and ideas to the definitive text, Mark Ashford and Naomi Redhouse's “Defending Young People.” Currently, Max works as a Duty lawyer with a reputable London firm. He appears in the Crown Court for them and Michael Carroll, and the Magistrates and Police Stations for Tuckers, Lawrence and Co and others
Wherever he has worked Max has built up a following which remains with him to this day, Max prides himself on his ability to relate to and deal sympathetically with lay clients of all cultures. He has regularly acted for members of the Travelling Community, worked on many cases involving the Kurdish and Turkish communities of Green Lanes, and is regularly referred work by Stonewall and other gay organisations.

1.6 Extra Curricular Activities
Max was part of the generation that benefited from the Labour Governments programme to get working class people into further education. As such he believes passionately in education as a way out of poverty and Crime. He individually mentors several youths from disadvantaged backgrounds, and has applied to be part of a program at Feltham Young Offenders Institute seeking to teach basic numeracy and English to the inmates. Max’s nephew suffers with Aspergers so Max has a particular interest in education Law, having advised on how to get him Statemented, and has taken on Local Authorities in similar cases.
When relaxing Max is a keen Evertonian, well someone has to be !, and has a passionate interest in American Cinema, Soul Music and Modern Philosophical Thought.

Neil is a very experienced Magistrates’ Court advocate gained from approaching 8 years of advocacy in the Magistrates’ Court.
His ability to give concise and accurate advice in a calm and efficient manner, means not only can he put client’s at ease when they find themselves facing the stress of criminal proceedings but also that his client’s have the best possible chance of success at trial when they choose to plead not guilty, which is reflected by the impressive number of acquittals he has secured for client’s in trials.
When client’s plead guilty at the appropriate time this is what other’s have said of his ability to mitigate so his client’s receive the best possible sentence.
At Barkingside Youth Court he was described as being ‘on the money’ by a member of the youth offending team when persuading the court to impose a conditional discharge for his client who was facing a far heavier sentence.
At Enfield Magistrates’ Court he was described as being ‘eloquent’ by the Magistrate passing sentence, when persuading the court to impose a community sentence instead of a custodial sentence.
He was told by a clerk that it was the quality of his mitigation that persuaded the Magistrates’ to impose a community order rather than a custodial sentence on a client.
He has also previously represented footballers and sporting personalities
Away from work Neil is a Barnet supporter, which is indicative of his quality as a Criminal lawyer as some of the best Criminal Lawyers in London are Barnet supporters including Michael Wolkind QC.

Position: Solicitor
Areas of Practice : Crime, Administrative Law (Judicial Review & Prison Law)
Remy qualified as a solicitor in 2005. Frequently appearing in the Magistrates court as an advocate, Remy Mohamedis a criminal defence lawyer, she was called to the roll of solicitors in 2005 and in 2009 joined SJ-law.She has had plenty of experience working at M and M solicitors as an advocate making her skilled in the practice.
Specialised knowledge in Prison Law, Post Conviction Appeals and Judicial reviews, has allowed Remy to build up a considerable client following. Cases she has Judicially Reviewed include R (on the application of C) v Stratford Magistrates Court and R (on the application of DR) v The Parole Board.
Being an expert in advising clients and preparing cases has given Remy a firm grasp in serious crime offences and defending the mentally ill; two subject areas she enjoys partaking in cases such as R v D [an attempted murder case where the defendant had serious mental health issues] , R v H [a 12 handed prison mutiny case] and R v B [a 16 handed conspiracy to supply firearms and drugs].