“Despite being very junior, Rushnay demonstrated promising qualities in a challenging Crown Court trial. She handled a number of difficult issues with confidence and sound judgment, making clear and succinct submissions, identifying the key weaknesses in the prosecution case, and delivering assured cross-examination and a persuasive closing speech.
Her court manner was appropriate and engaging, and she was diligent in ensuring her client’s vulnerabilities were properly accommodated throughout the trial. She performed at the level expected of a junior tenant and showed every indication that she will develop into a thoroughly competent member of the Bar.”
Crown Court Recorder
“I would like to take the time to express my appreciation to Rushnay who assisted us in the last three days, it was intense to say the least. She was extremely professional and attentive throughout the whole process. She supported us not only professionally but reassured us during emotional moments.”
Client and his mother
“Miss Sikander is one of the best junior barristers that I have ever instructed. I would consider her a persuasive, tenacious, hard-working and unflappable advocate.
I have personally seen Rushnay’s advocacy in court when I instructed her on a case concerning a very vulnerable client. I saw how Miss Sikander coped with HHJ’s interventions quickly and effectively to the extent that she persuaded HHJ not to impose any punitive element to a Community Order. I know this to be a rare occurrence. I was even more impressed by Miss Sikander’s emphasis on the client’s mental health issues, ongoing struggles and mental health consideration of BAME offenders within the Sentencing Guidelines – a provision which is often overlooked.”
Instructing Solicitor
“The Case Presenter was also impressive, Ms Sikander was very precise and succinct in her submissions, and her examination of the witnesses was equally precise and succinct. I was particularly impressed by her humanity when dealing with a witness to find the witness was in hospital, in a private room having been admitted with pregnancy related issues. The witness was 8 months pregnant with a high temperature and bleeding. Ms Sikander requested to discharge her in light of her circumstances. The Panel agreed to make the appropriate and safe decision for the witness and her unborn child thanks to Ms Sikander’s concerns.”
Chair in a regulatory proceeding.
“I trusted Rushnay with one of my closest friends for whom she is trial counsel. She managed to get him bail in a domestic violence case - which was surprising given his case. He later told me how grateful he was to have a barrister that actually cares about him. I recently received a phone call from another client, who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome and is suicidal. He was immensely appreciative of Rushnay’s advice when offering pleas to lesser offences to the Crown. Due to this, the sentence decreased from what would have been immediate custody to a community order. This is not the first time that she has been able to sway the Crown to drop charges. In another case, she was able to persuade the Crown to accept a basis of plea to a lesser charge of harassment in return for them to drop the other charges that included more serious charges such as possession of a bladed article and assault. The client left court with a conditional discharge as opposed to what may have been a prison sentence.”
Instructing Solicitor
“I must say it is a real pleasure in instructing Rushnay on my criminal cases. I have found her to be extremely personable and easy to work with. Clients have commented to me on her pleasant and nice nature. The quality of Rushnay’s work is of the highest order. Her knowledge of the law is second to none.
She managed to persuade the CPS to discontinue a case at trial. In another case, due to her strong written skills, she managed to get the CPS to accept a basis of plea. One client in a multi-handed trial recently described her in court as ‘very good’ and by far the best out of the advocates.”
Instructing Solicitor
