Leila Ghahhary

Practice Areas

Leila is a highly regarded international barrister who specialises in public, regulatory, international and human rights law. Leila regularly acts in complex, high-profile public inquiries of national significance representing government departments, public and private organisations, individuals, and acting as Counsel to the Inquiry.

“She is a highly skilled advocate and has a commanding presence in court. She’s always thoroughly well prepared.”

"She is bright, thorough, meticulous and highly engaging.”

Leila has been appointed onto:

• The Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel.

• The Panel of Specialist Advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law.

• The Equality and Human Rights Commission Panel of Counsel.

Leila is currently acting as Counsel for the UK Government’s Cabinet Office and No.10 Downing Street in the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry and as Counsel to Canada’s Foreign Interference Inquiry. Leila was instructed in the Manchester Arena Inquiry as Counsel to several of the bereaved families, as Counsel to the Gosport Independent Panel and was instructed by the UK Information Commissioner on matters relating to UK data protection law arising from the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry (the ‘Cash for ash’ scandal) and as Counsel for an Interested Party in the Hillsborough Inquests.

Leila also has extensive experience acting in large complex regulatory cases, including the recent largest ever UK trading standards prosecution.

Leila is a member of Lincoln House Chambers (UK) and is a founding partner of Ghahhary Thomas LLP (Canada).