EXPERTISE
Shada specialises in serious criminal litigation, with a practice centred on cases involving significant evidential and legal complexity.
She is regularly instructed in complex criminal trials requiring detailed mastery of the evidence and rapid forensic analysis. A skilled cross-examiner, she controls witness evidence with precision, exposes its inconsistencies, and distils complex material into its essential elements.
Her practice includes serious allegations and multi-handed proceedings involving organised criminality, serious sexual allegations and extensive evidential material. Shada prepares meticulously, identifies the core issues early, and advances arguments with clarity and control under pressure at trial.
RECENT CASES
- R v MJ (2026) – Shada’s client was acquitted of three counts of rape following a ten-day trial. Extensive disclosure was deployed in cross-examination which ultimately undermined the prosecution case. The jury were also issued a confession direction resulting from alleged admissions in electronic communications sent by the defendant.
- R v DE (2026) – Shada was instructed to represent a defendant at trial charged with grievous bodily harm with intent (S.18) arising from an acid attack. The complainant suffered catastrophic, life-changing injuries, including complete loss of vision in one eye and severely reduced vision in the other.
- R v M (2026) – Shada secured for her client a full acquittal across all eleven counts of sexual offences against a child. The defendant was the complainant’s mother’s former partner.
- R v R, L, S & others (2025) – Shada was Junior counsel for the Prosecution, led by King’s Counsel, in a joint enterprise murder trial arising from a fatal shooting. The case involved cell site analysis, CCTV, forensic material and digital communications. Several defendants were convicted.
- R v AK & Others (2025) – Shada represented one of six defendants in a multi-handed trial involving allegations of child sexual exploitation. The trial lasted several weeks and involved extensive witness evidence, complex legal arguments, significant disclosure and substantial evidential material.
- R v FG (2025) – Shada’s client, a former head teacher was tried on several counts of fraud and theft concerning the misuse of school funds. Shada’s client was acquitted on all counts. The prosecution relied on expert evidence concerning IT and networks, Shada rigorously tested this evidence through cross-examination leading to several admissions fatal to the prosecution case.
- R v M, M & C (2025) – Shada secured convictions in a multi-handed conspiracy to supply multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine in an EncroChat prosecution. The case involved complex legal arguments on admissibility, deployment of key evidential material, alongside disclosure issues arising from its use. The first defendant was represented by King’s Counsel.
- R v D (2025) – Shada obtained the rare, special verdicts of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity following a nine-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court. The defendant faced allegations of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation. Four Consultant Forensic Psychiatrists gave evidence, three called by the defence.
- R v J (2024) – Shada’s client was acquitted in a seven-day trial involving allegations of controlling or coercive behaviour over a four-year period, both parties and several witnesses had significant communication challenges requiring BSL interpreters, intermediaries and stenographers.
- Candlish v Director of Public Prosecutions [2022] EWHC 842 – High Court authority holding that “low value” shop theft allegations remain triable either way until plea and allocation and are not subject to the six-month limitation period under section 127 Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.
FINANCIAL CRIME
Shada has experience in financial crime, including fraud, HMRC investigations, confiscation proceedings and high-value account freezing and forfeiture orders.
She undertook a six-month secondment with HMRC, gaining direct insight into complex financial investigations and enforcement action. During this time, she worked on a cross-border investigation into a £500 million cum-ex tax fraud and represented HMRC in successful applications for search warrants. She has also delivered training to legal professionals and financial investigators on applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Shada is appointed to the Serious Fraud Office Counsel Panel C.
INQUESTS, LICENSING & REGULATORY
Shada accepts instructions in inquest, licensing and regulatory matters.
She has represented interested persons in Article 2 and non-Article 2 inquests, she has a particular focus on deaths in police custody, prison-related deaths and matters involving the operation of the criminal justice system. Her criminal practice provides a strong foundation for understanding the systemic, evidential and legal issues arising in custodial deaths and related investigations.
Shada also accepts instructions in regulatory matters, including disciplinary proceedings and matters involving statutory decision-making. She accepts instructions in licensing matters, including premises licences and taxi licensing.
APPOINTMENTS
- CPS Prosecutor, Level 3
- RASSO Panel, Grade 3
- Serious Fraud Office (SFO) Counsel - Panel C
- Government Legal Department - Junior Counsel to the Crown (Regional C Panel)
DIRECT ACCESS
Shada is authorised to accept instructions under the Bar Direct Public Access Scheme.
EDUCATION
- LLB (Hons) European Legal Studies (Upper Second Class), University of Kent (2012–2016). As part of the four-year programme, Shada undertook a year of study at the University of Bergen, Norway, specialising in international criminal law at an advanced level.
- BPTC (Very Competent), Northumbria University (2016-2017)
