Asif qualified as a Solicitor in 2011. In 2021 he was appointed as a Fee Paid Employment Judge and a Fee-paid Judge in the First-tier Tribunal (Health, Education & Social Care Chamber).
Asif has been a member of the Law Society Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel over 10 years and has extensive experience in representing clients with a variety of mental health disorders, regularly representing clients in both civil and forensic cases.
Asif represents clients in West Yorkshire and works throughout Yorkshire and the Humber (including Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Dewsbury and Halifax) as well as the North West, including Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Greater Manchester.
Asif has also previously sat as a Hospital Manager in the Northwest England for Priory Healthcare and chaired hearings.
Shazad qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and was granted Higher Rights of Audience (Civil and Criminal Proceedings) in 2010, enabling him to represent clients in the higher courts of England and Wales.
He currently sits as a Fee-paid Judge in the First-tier Tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) and is a longstanding member of both the Police Misconduct Panel and the Police Appeals Tribunal. In addition, he has been appointed to the Police Vetting Appeals Panel, reflecting his deep expertise in regulatory and disciplinary matters.
Since 2005, Shazad has maintained continuous membership of the Law Society’s Mental Health Accreditation Scheme. He has represented clients across all levels of security, including complex cases before the County Court, and has extensive experience in both civil and forensic mental health proceedings.
Shazad regularly appears throughout Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West, and Greater Manchester. He is also an accredited police station representative, having attended numerous interviews in secure hospital environments.
Beyond practice, Shazad contributes to the legal profession through education and writing. He has delivered specialist training and recently authored a chapter in a legal text focused on the role of legal representatives in Mental Health Tribunals.
His previous roles include service on a police ethics committee and as an associate hospital manager for an independent mental health facility.
Aaminah graduated with a first class LLB (Hons) in July 2024.
She travels throughout the North of England to advise and assist clients who are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended). She also drafts Lasting Powers of Attorneys.
She regularly represents at Hospital Managers’ Hearings and attends at Care Programme Approach (CPA) Meetings.
Vishaal has practised in Mental Health Law since 2022. He has been an accredited member of the Law Society’s Mental Health Accreditation Scheme since January 2025 and qualified as a solicitor in March 2026.
Vishaal regularly represents patients detained under both civil and forensic sections of the Mental Health Act, providing advocacy before the First-Tier Tribunal in the North of England. Vishaal also attends Care Programme Approach Meetings to ensure clients’ voices are heard in their care planning. He advises Nearest Relatives on their statutory rights and powers, including their right to apply to the tribunal and to object to detention.
Adam started as an Administrative Assistant at Appletons and is now a Paralegal.
He assists with the administration and organisation of client matters while supporting the legal team in delivering effective client services.
Adam provides professional support to both clients and colleagues and is excited to progress his career within the legal profession.
Shazad qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and is a Director at Appletons
Shazad is an experienced advocate and gained Higher Rights of Audience (Civil and Criminal Proceedings) in June 2010, enabling him to personally represent clients in all courts, at all levels. He is a member of the Solicitors Association of Higher Courts Advocates (SAHCA) and is also a member of the Mental Health Lawyers Association (MHLA).
He has maintained continuous membership of the Law Society’s Mental Health Accreditation Scheme since 2005 and has successfully argued a deferred conditional discharge from conditions of maximum security. He has dealt with many cases where counsel has been instructed by the detaining authority and in cases which have involved complex issues. He deals with nearest relative displacement applications in the county court and also advises nearest relatives as to their rights. He advises and undertakes work in relation to the Mental Capacity Act and has delivered presentations to hospital managers and has provided advice to other mental health professionals. He is also an accredited police station representative and has represented at numerous police interviews that have been conducted within hospital settings.
Shazad deals with a large cross section of cases, and has a particular interest in ensuring that the Human Rights of those admitted to hospital are upheld. He has chaired Independent Review Panel Hearings, and has heard appeals against detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended).
He is based at our Head Office in Birstall, near Leeds and works throughout Yorkshire and the Humber, including Bradford, Leeds, Halifax, Wakefield, Rotherham, Doncaster, and parts of the North West, including Rochdale and Oldham
Recent notable cases include successful Judicial Review proceedings to challenge a refusal by the Ministry of Justice to consider an application for escorted access for a pre-tariff client subject to Section 47/49, and more recently a successful challenge to a decision by the Secretary of State regarding an exclusion zone imposed on a client subject to Section 37/41
Shazad was appointed as an Independent Police Misconduct Panel Member in December 2014 and continues to undertake this role
Asif qualified as a Solicitor in 2011 and is currently a Director within the Mental Health Department at Appletons Solicitors.
Asif has been a member of the Law Society Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel over 10 years and has extensive experience in representing clients with a variety of mental health disorders, regularly representing clients in both civil and forensic cases.
In the past few years Asif has developed a speciality in working with young adolescent clients, who are detained under the Mental Health Act.
Asif has also provided advice regarding the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) to advocacy groups, and professionals.
Asif represents clients in West Yorkshire and works throughout Yorkshire and the Humber (including Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Dewsbury and Halifax) as well as the North West, including Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Greater Manchester.
Asif has also previously sat as a Hospital Manager in the North West England for Priory Healthcare and chaired hearings.
Shazad qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and is a Director at Appletons
Shazad is an experienced advocate and gained Higher Rights of Audience (Civil and Criminal Proceedings) in June 2010, enabling him to personally represent clients in all courts, at all levels. He is a member of the Solicitors Association of Higher Courts Advocates (SAHCA) and is also a member of the Mental Health Lawyers Association (MHLA).
He has maintained continuous membership of the Law Society’s Mental Health Accreditation Scheme since 2005 and has successfully argued a deferred conditional discharge from conditions of maximum security. He has dealt with many cases where counsel has been instructed by the detaining authority and in cases which have involved complex issues. He deals with nearest relative displacement applications in the county court and also advises nearest relatives as to their rights. He advises and undertakes work in relation to the Mental Capacity Act and has delivered presentations to hospital managers and has provided advice to other mental health professionals. He is also an accredited police station representative and has represented at numerous police interviews that have been conducted within hospital settings.
Shazad deals with a large cross section of cases, and has a particular interest in ensuring that the Human Rights of those admitted to hospital are upheld. He has chaired Independent Review Panel Hearings, and has heard appeals against detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended).
He is based at our Head Office in Birstall, near Leeds and works throughout Yorkshire and the Humber, including Bradford, Leeds, Halifax, Wakefield, Rotherham, Doncaster, and parts of the North West, including Rochdale and Oldham
Recent notable cases include successful Judicial Review proceedings to challenge a refusal by the Ministry of Justice to consider an application for escorted access for a pre-tariff client subject to Section 47/49, and more recently a successful challenge to a decision by the Secretary of State regarding an exclusion zone imposed on a client subject to Section 37/41
Shazad was appointed as an Independent Police Misconduct Panel Member in December 2014 and continues to undertake this role
