TESTIMONIALS

Professional Testimonials

I have worked with Pretesh for many years, almost from the time he first qualified. Throughout the time I have known him professionally he has been highly motivated and ambitious. Pretesh always acts in the best interest of his clients. One of his most attractive qualities is his personable nature. He builds strong relationships with clients and maintains their trust even when the going gets tough. I have had the pleasure of being instructed by Pretesh in substantial, complex, difficult cases. He is a consummate professional and I highly recommend him for cases in which a proactive approach is required.

Mark Kelly, Kings Counsel

I have been regularly instructed by Panama Begum and Pretesh Chauhan for well over a decade, in a wide variety of serious and complex criminal matters. This has included numerous homicide cases, cases of serious sexual offending as well as substantial drug and related conspiracies.
Their instructions are always marked by thorough preparation, which reflects a total understanding of the evidence and their client's case. It is aways apparent that their client's have been given realistic advice about the nature of the case they face and the options available to them.The shape of a criminal case can be determined at a very early stage. In my experience, both Panama and Pretesh are very tactically astute and invariably have the right instinct about how to approach a case from the early stages of a police station interview, understanding that that will have a significant impact if the case ever reaches trial.
I would have no hesitation in recommending them both to anyone who is under criminal investigation or facing prosecution. They come with a proven track record of handling the most serious criminal cases and achieving successful results for their clients.

Gurdeep S. Garcha K.C.

Citadel Chambers, Birmingham

I have worked with Pretesh several times over the last few years including on some very serious cases indeed. He is invariably diligent, hard working and strategic, with a keen focus on obtaining the best possible result for his clients.

David Wood. Barrister.

25 Bedford Row, London

I have worked with Pretesh for more than two decades and can state with absolute authority that he is one the most diligent and skilful criminal litigators in the country. I have regularly been instructed by Pretesh in some of the most complex and sensitive cases tried before the Courts. His attention to detail and adept negotiation of voluminous or otherwise challenging evidence is second to none. That combined with his discerning personal touch and natural affinity with clients mean that anyone who is fortunate enough to instruct him will be in the best of hands.

Tarlowchan Dubb. Senior Counsel [year of call 1997].

Panama has a strong commitment to her clients coupled with a strong work ethic. This happy combination shows in the high quality of her work whether as an advising solicitor at the police station or as an advocate at Court

Anand Beharrylal KC

"I would highly recommend Pretesh Chauhan for his excellent service during my difficult time. He empathised with my situation , understood the case really well and provided the best approach and advise keeping my best interest in mind all the time to make the right choices at each stage. His level of dedication and detail was first class. I really appreciate the support, openness and informality of the way he handled things."

N Singh

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

If you’re meeting Pretesh, in his work capacity, you may not be having the best day at the office. I felt like I was in a situation where I couldn’t do anything to influence my own life and how it was playing out in front of me. I was extremely heightened to every emotion and I was desperately looking for someone to have certainty in what they were doing in order to help me.

From the first moment I spoke with Pretesh, his calm, well-spoken confidence without arrogance, was very reassuring. He covered every realistic and non-realistic worry on my mind in a methodical, well prepared and thought out way. Having to contend with my highly emotional state was no small achievement in itself.

I felt very quickly that he had the situation and the elements that he could impact very much within his foresight and under control.

During our time together he made himself available for queries and questions, even my more potentially irrational ones. His level of competence was very clear to me throughout.

The communication style that Pretesh has is a one of clarity, confidence and a wealth of knowledge. For me, in addition to these things, Pretesh had a very clear understanding of what’s actually important to me, without me ever having to tell him. He almost had a sixth sense and just knew me, how I was feeling and what I’d actually be concerned or anxious about. He never gave me just a standard default answer. Therefore he was able to sooth those worries of mine, often before I had even raised them to him.

He chose to replace telling me unrequested legal jargon that meant almost nothing to me, to reassuring me about the actual impact of these points and where this would need to be considered or not considered.

He was always one step ahead, proving to me every step of the way that he really knew what he was doing and that he actually knew the case and me, and was there for me and my needs. Both logically and emotionally.

The period of time that I worked with Pretesh was the most challenging and worst period of my life, however I took great comfort in knowing that Pretesh would be there looking out for me and the intricacies of what was unfolding. Pretesh isn’t just “another lawyer”. This lawyer is someone who you want talk to, depend and rely on. He’s someone who you most definitely want in your corner. They say you need difference makers when it comes to the law. Pretesh is a difference maker.

I would highly recommend Pretesh and his team to anyone facing any issue that requires these skill sets.

“I was represented by Panama Begum and Anand Beharrylal KC for the offence of attempted murder. They have been brilliant throughout. I couldn’t ask for a better team to represent me. Panama always ensured I was kept well up to date with my case and explained things to me. Panama is a very good Solicitor, whenever I saw her she removed my stress.”

“Panama’s thorough knowledge and work ethic installed my confidence and helped me through my murder trial. She has outstanding client care skills.
I was visited regularly in prison and cannot thank her enough for everything.”

“Conspiracy to defraud is what I was charged with. Had it not been for Panama Begum I wouldn’t be pursuing my dreams of working as a air steward. I had prepared myself for losing everything, my livelihood, my sanity, myself. Panama didn’t give up on me and didn’t let me give up. She thoroughly prepared my case and fought for me till the very end. I was acquitted following trial and able to pursue my dreams because of her.”

Anonymous

“Panama’s professionalism, integrity and dedication to her job is just outstanding.”

“Panama is always available for her clients. She has been representing me and my friends for several years, wouldn’t change her for anyone.”

How do I explain the ordeal of going through a terrorism investigation. It was the most difficult and traumatic phase of my life. Panama represented me throughout the proceeding and kept me sane. Credit to her for all her dedicated work and getting me off.

Anonymous

I can’t thank Pretesh enough for the guidance he showed to my daughter during her case when she was (wrongly) accused of serious offences. I was desperately trying to find the right solicitor to deal with one of the most difficult times in my family’s life. From the moment I spoke with Pretesh, he filled me with confidence that he was the right person to help us and he never let us down. He always went out of his way to give his time and show a heck of a lot of patience with me!!

He expertly guided us from day 1 at the police station all the way through to a unanimous verdict at the Crown Court. We cannot express enough how brilliant, professional and kind Pretesh was through the whole process.

Together with Mr Dubb (barrister), we simply could not have wished to have had a better team on our side

Thank you so much

Pretesh has represented me since I was a 14 year old boy getting in trouble every 2 weeks for something stupid. He got me out of so many scrapes, I’m sure I would have been in prison if it wasn’t for his guidance and advice! I am now in my mid-20s, run my own successful business and have a family.
Pretesh not only helped me leave my criminal lifestyle behind but actually helped me turn over a new leaf. He is still my first call for advice but nowadays it’s to do with business advice and not from a police station! I have confidently recommended him to others so many times. He is certified as the best around.

Pretesh acted for me in a serious, multimillion pound, company fraud offence. It was anything but straightforward. With my whole livelihood on the line, I expensively sought advice from 3 leading London law firms and 1 prominent QC (as he then was) before Pretesh was recommended to me. His no-BS approach cut through the issues in the case better than all the others. I came out the other side with my liberty and my assets in tact. I am forever grateful

I had used my local solicitor for years but when I was charged with a criminal offence of conspiracy to defraud I knew I needed specialist advice. Mr Chauhan was recommended to me. After our first meeting, I honestly never looked back, I knew I was in good hands, Of 8 Defendants, I was the only female Defendant. I was a bag of nerves come the day of trial but after a long 4 weeks trial, he and my barrister really delivered and I was acquitted by the jury.

I have been in business for nearly 30 years and now run one of the largest companies in the UK. An ugly and stressful HMRC investigation resulted in me and my company being charged with a £35million tax fraud. It felt like Armageddon. Pretesh was highly recommended to me. I was apprehensive at first as I had never used a firm outside of the City for any of my legal needs . There was no sales pitch and no messing around. From meeting no 1, I received the robust, firm advice that I needed. The case was stopped in its tracks only weeks later. I have been fortunate enough to make some sound investments. This was, by far, the wisest money I have ever spent.

RB, London