+44 (0) 20 7421 8007
Beheshteh’s practice encompasses crime, extradition, professional discipline and public inquiry work.
In addition to her experience prosecuting and defending in the Magistrates’, Youth and Crown Courts, Beheshteh has developed specialist expertise.
Her established extradition practice encompasses work at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and in the High Court. Recent cases include:
- Poland v DE: successfully resisted an abuse of process argument in the High Court before Mr Justice Fordham. The defence argued that a Polish Judge had misled the English Court.
- Poland v PZ: successfully resisted a challenge on a novel point of law regarding the right to a re-trial (Section 20).
- Sweden v JM: addressed the intersection between extradition and family proceedings.
- Currently instructed in a matter which involves a challenge under Article 4 of the ECHR in relation to an alleged victim of trafficking.
- Currently instructed in a matter which involves a challenge under Article 5 of the ECHR regarding indefinite detention.
- Section 25 challenges which require cross-examination on complex and sensitive matters.
Beheshteh is a second junior to a long-running and complex public inquiry, having joined the inquiry in September 2023. Her contribution to the inquiry has included: synthesis and analysis of vast volumes of material, decision making regarding disclosure and privacy redactions, and advice given on strategic and long-term planning required to ensure that the inquiry meets its objectives.
Beheshteh is also developing a practice in professional discipline work. She conducts interim order and substantive hearings. Her experience includes a 10-day substantive hearing where the Registrant was accused of making racist comments at work.
Beheshteh is a Grade 2 prosecutor on the CPS specialist extradition panel and the general crime panel. She has expertise in handling vulnerable witnesses and in conducting youth work.
Beheshteh is committed to increasing opportunity and diversity at the Bar. She co-edits www.pupillageandhowtogetit.com
Testimonials
“I sit as a legal assessor for a [professional disciplinary tribunal] and have, on several occasions sat with Beheshteh in her capacity as case presenter. On each I have found her to be extremely well prepared and in full command of the detail of the case in hand. She is a strong and confident advocate, adept at ‘reading the room’ and capable of responding swiftly and appropriately to unexpected issues or questions. Her legal analysis is excellent. I have no doubt that she has a distinguished career at the Bar ahead of her.”Legal advisor for a professional disciplinary tribunal
“Beheshteh is clearly a bright woman who enjoys the law and has demonstrated she can prosecute and defend equally well.”Peterborough defence solicitor
Without question I have been impressed with how Ms Engineer prepared and conducted this trial. In particular I have been very impressed with her client care and her ability to win the trust of our client.London Defence Solicitor
I was extremely impressed with how Beheshteh exercised sound judgment in dealing with the evidence in the case… [and how] she managed to build a rapport with a client whose difficult past and current circumstances made him hard to obtain clear instructions from… I found Beheshteh to be easy to contact during the preparation of the case and she kept me updated during the trial…I would not hesitate to instruct Beheshteh in a future, suitable trial.London Defence Solicitor
Further information
BA Theology (hons), Upper Second, King’s College London
Graduate Diploma in Law, Commendation, The University of Law
Bar Professional Training Course, Very Competent, The University of Law
LLM in Human Rights, Conflict and Justice, Merit, SOAS
Appointments & Memberships
The Criminal Bar Association
Women in Criminal Law
The Howard League
Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum
Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers