Bilal Hanif

Bilal has a wealth of successful advocacy experience (in-house and freelance work) which can be attributed to his technical prowess, competitive nature and fighting spirit. He regularly appears in County Courts across the country and has also appeared in the High Court (SCCO). He is a fierce negotiator and is highly regarded for his specialised expertise.

Bilal is also authorised to undertake Public Access work.

TBG House (1)

Instruct Bilal

Email Bilal's clerk

Bilal completed his practising pupillage under the supervision of highly experienced commercial barrister, Mr Tahir Ashraf. He read Law at University, following which he was called to the bar in 2013 by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn.

Prior to joining us in 2021, Bilal was Head of Costs at a leading national costs firm. During his tenure, Bilal was responsible for leading a successful team of solicitors and senior costs draftsmen and played a pivotal role in the rising success of the company, building a brand that was synonymous for quality and professionalism. He was regularly instructed on many notable and high-profile matters, often involving multi-million pound cases.

Bilal has undertaken various bespoke commercially focused courses adapted from international business schools including Harvard, INSEAD and London Business School. These experiences, combined with his role as Head of Costs, help him to understand the pressures and challenges which solicitors face, enabling him to provide practical and commercially viable solutions.

Additionally, Bilal is very passionate about training and has spent a lot of his career mentoring and coaching junior staff members, providing procedural support and continuously monitoring the quality and accuracy of their work.

Bilal's Experience

Called in 2013

Public Access Accredited

Barristers in England and Wales are regulated by the Bar Standards Board

BSB logo

Insurance & Reinsurance

Fraud
Crime
Regulatory
Professional Negligence
Banking

Road Traffic Act

Credit Hire (claimant)
RTA (with personal injury)
RTA (without personal injury)

Technology

Renewable energy, e.g. solar panel parks and wind turbines

Case profile

Kang and another v Pattar [2021] EWHC 1101 (TCC)

Privacy Policy

1. This is a privacy notice that describes how, why and for how long I will process or keep your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (‘GDPR’).
2. The GDPR governs how an individual’s personal data is used, and your rights in relation to that data.
3. I, William Knapman, have been instructed by you or your litigation friend (usually a parent), through your solicitor or agent, or via the Bar Pro Bono Unit.
4. It is necessary for me to process your personal data in order for me to provide you with legal services, for example:

Advise on the prospects of litigation;
Advise on the value of your claim;
Representation at a court hearing;
Representation at trial;
Advise, review or comment on legal issues or evidence.

5. Processing means anything done to data such as: recording, organising, adapting, altering, copying, consulting, transmitting, combining, erasing or storing it.

6.The processing for the purposes listed above will take place in accordance with either Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 6(1)(b) GDPR, depending on how you instructed me.

7. If you have instructed me on a direct access basis, or engaged a solicitor (or legal agent), to assist you in bringing or defending a claim then the processing is necessary to perform a contract to which you are a party (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR). To give effect to that contract (i.e. to bring a claim) it is necessary for me to process your personal data for litigation purposes.

8. If I am assisting you on a pro bono basis, it will be necessary for me to seek your consent to be able to represent you (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR). In this scenario, you will be sent a consent form.

Recipients of your data

9. I may also be required to share your data with others, depending on the nature of your case. This may include:

(i) Courts and other tribunals to whom documents are presented;

(ii) Your solicitors, or agent representing you, through whom I have been instructed;

(iii) Potential witnesses, experts and other persons involved in the case;

(iv) Solicitors, barristers, or other legal representatives;

(v) Ombudsman and regulatory authorities;

(vi) Education and examining bodies; and

(vii) Current, past or prospective employers.

Special Categories of Data

10. In some cases I will have been given your personal data that is within the ‘special categories’ of data described in GDPR Article 9(1). For example, personal data that reveals your race, ethnicity, sexual preferences, political or religious beliefs, trade union membership or health. There are also restrictions for processing information regarding criminal convictions.

11. This type of personal data will only be processed where it is necessary in order to represent you in your legal claim, or advise on the prospects of a legal claim.

Retention

12. I will retain your personal data for no longer than is necessary, and where it is possible, I will anonymise your data.

13. How long your personal data is kept will depend on a number of factors. The retention period will be reviewed when the service I am providing you with is complete. However in general, I am obliged by the Bar Code of Conduct to retain records of my cases, and by HM Revenue and Customs to retain records for 6 years.

14. Once your case has concluded and fees have been paid, I shall retain only the personal data necessary for the following purposes:

(i) The legal and professional obligation to retain information relating to my cases;

(ii) To check for any potential conflict of interests that may arise in the future when I am instructed on other cases;

(iii) For use in the defence of potential complaints, legal proceedings or fee disputes;

(iv) To refer back to in future cases which raise similar legal, factual, or procedural issues.

15. The processing for the purposes listed in paragraph 14 (ii), (iii), and (iv) above, will take place in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. That is, for the purposes of legitimate interests that are not outweighed by your interests or fundamental rights and freedoms.

16. The processing for the purposes listed in paragraph 14(i) above, will take place in accordance with Article 6(1)(c) GDPR. That is, the processing is necessary for me to comply with a legal obligation.

Your Rights

17. Where processing of your personal data was based on your consent (see paragraphs 6 and 8) you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. This does not affect the lawfulness of the processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

18. Withdrawal of your consent to process such data will most likely mean that I am no longer able to provide you with the legal services you seek.

19. You may request confirmation that your personal data is being processed by me and details about the personal data, the source, the processing, the purposes of the processing, the recipients and the retention period.

20. You may request a copy of your personal data that is being processed by me. You may also request rectification (i.e. correction) where there are inaccuracies in the personal data.

21. You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time, to processing of your personal data in paragraph 14 of this privacy notice. Should you object, the processing will only continue where there are compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your fundamental rights, freedoms and interests.

22. Where the processing or retention of your data is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, it will not be possible to object.

23. You have the right to request that your personal data is erased where any of the following apply:

(i) The personal data are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed;

(ii) You withdraw your consent where the basis of processing was based on consent and where there is no other ground for the processing;

(iii) Where your fundamental rights, freedoms and interests override the legitimate interests of processing in paragraph 14;

(iv) The personal data has been unlawfully processed; or

(v) The personal data have to be erased to comply with a legal obligation.

24. You have the right to request that your personal data is restricted from processing, so that it is simply stored, for the following reasons: as an alternative to deletion; so that it can be corrected; for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims; to verify if a legitimate ground exists (paragraph 14).

25. Where it is necessary to correct your personal data, or you have requested the restriction or erasure of your personal data, I shall endeavour to contact the recipients of the personal data, unless this involves disproportionate effort.

Security

26. I take appropriate physical and technical procedures to safeguard your personal data to prevent it from being accidentally lost, used or accessed in an unauthorised way.

Complaints or Queries

27. If you have any questions regarding this privacy notice, or how I use your personal data please email me: mailto: william.knapman@tbgbarrister.co.uk, or my clerks: clerking@thebarristergroup.co.uk telephone 01823 247 247.

28. I shall aim to respond as soon as possible, and within 30 days.

29. You have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe I have not handled your request in an appropriate manner. For information on contacting the ICO please go to: https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/

William's Testimonials

My colleague was most grateful for your help in dealing with the above case and, though we were not successful, thought all the points that needed to be made were made. I wanted to write just to thank you for your help and support with the case. That is appreciated. I am sure Maria will pass on her thoughts to colleagues within the team here.

John McQuater

Atherton Godfrey LLP

On numerous occasions we have used William on complex fraud matters. He is one of a select few preferred Counsel for Northern trials. Each time we have found that William undertakes his role with diligent professionalism and strives to get the best results for clients. We are grateful to William for his hard work and success he brings us which no doubt is a direct result of his perspicacity.

Mukhtar Patel

Accident Injury Solicitors

I have just had a long chat with Mrs Gillard following last week’s trial and she asked that I passed on her thanks to you. She commented on how patient you were with her, professional and well prepared given the late notice you would have received the papers. She was also pleased you took the time to call her the evening before as she did not expect this. Given, we don’t always get much thanks in the world of fraud PI, I thought you would like to know.

Laura Cook

Minster Law