Imran Ali

OUR TEAM

Managing Director

Managing Director | Solicitor | Higher Courts Advocate

Pre-Charge Engagement
Serious Fraud
Money Laundering
Financial Crime
Criminal Law
Motoring Law
Higher Courts Advocate
Confiscation & POCA

Founder and Managing Director of Ashmans Solicitors, Mr Ali is a highly experienced solicitor and Higher Courts Advocate with over 19 years’ post-qualification experience. He heads the firm’s specialist fraud and money laundering department and is recognised for his expertise in pre-charge engagement and strategic early intervention. He has secured landmark acquittals in high-profile fraud, conspiracy, and financial crime cases. Recognised by the Legal 500 as a Leading Firm.

About Imran

Imran Ali is the founder and Managing Director of Ashmans Solicitors, a nationally recognised criminal defence firm with offices in Dewsbury, Sheffield, Leeds, Huddersfield, and London. Educated at the University of Huddersfield, Mr Ali qualified as a solicitor before obtaining Higher Courts Advocacy rights, enabling him to represent clients at every stage of the criminal justice process, from police station interviews through to complex Crown Court trials.

Mr Ali’s practice centres on serious fraud and financial crime, where he heads the firm’s specialist fraud and money laundering department. He personally oversees complex, multi-defendant cases involving conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, MTIC/VAT fraud, mortgage fraud, and proceeds of crime proceedings. He is also recognised for his expertise in pre-charge engagement, providing strategic early advice and making proactive representations to police and the CPS at the investigation stage to avoid charges being brought wherever possible. He is known for his hands-on, proactive approach, building defence cases meticulously and tirelessly, instructing expert forensic accountants and specialist fraud barristers to ensure no stone is left unturned.

Under Mr Ali’s leadership, Ashmans has grown from a single West Yorkshire office into a multi-site national practice recognised by the Legal 500 as a Leading Firm for General Crime and Fraud. The firm holds the Lexcel Legal Practice Quality Mark and Cyber Essentials Plus certification, reflecting Mr Ali’s commitment to operational excellence alongside legal expertise. The practice is co-led by Mr Ali and Raja Atif Afzal and is renowned for being “exceptionally good in tactical case preparation.”

Mr Ali is described as “a true force of nature” and “a very bright, intelligent and articulate professional who has a unique talent to see through the fog to get to the true core of the issue.” He takes personal responsibility for ensuring every client receives the strongest possible defence.

Legal 500 Recognition

Ashmans Solicitors is recognised by The Legal 500 as a Leading Firm for General Crime and Fraud in Yorkshire. The practice, co-led by Mr Ali and Raja Atif Afzal, is described as “dedicated” and “very professional,” with extensive expertise in serious and organised crime, money laundering, mortgage fraud, regulatory investigations, and corporate crime.

Mr Ali is recognised for his focus on matters related to serious fraud and general criminal law. The practice is noted as “exceptionally good in tactical case preparation.”

Areas of Expertise

Serious Fraud — banking fraud, mortgage fraud, conspiracy to defraud, MTIC/VAT fraud, insurance fraud, investment fraud
Money Laundering — complex laundering cases, proceeds of crime, confiscation proceedings (POCA 2002)
Financial Crime — tax evasion, false accounting, bribery and corruption, financial sanctions breaches
Criminal Law — murder, attempted murder, blackmail, firearms offences, robbery, organised crime
Motoring Offences — dangerous driving, death by dangerous driving, drink driving, totting up
Drug Offences — conspiracy to supply, importation of Class A and Class B drugs
Confiscation & Asset Recovery — POCA 2002 proceedings, restraint orders
Pre-Charge Engagement & Advice — strategic early intervention with police and CPS before charges are brought, proactive representations to avoid prosecution
Higher Courts Advocacy — rights of audience at Crown Court, Court of Appeal, and higher courts

Experience and Notable Work

Mr Ali has been instructed in a wide range of serious and high-profile matters, including complex fraud, money laundering, conspiracy cases, and serious criminal matters.

Fraud, Financial Crime and Money Laundering

Serious Crime

What Clients Say

Mr Ali’s clients consistently praise his realistic advice, meticulous preparation, and personal commitment to their cases. He is known for taking time to understand every situation and formulating clear next steps.

“He guided me appropriately and advised me very realistically. He always listened to me carefully. With Mr Imran’s help I was not convicted. I was very happy and satisfied with the services and care provided throughout the case. I highly recommend them.”

— Danish Ali

“The staff have kept me updated all the way through. They have given me honest and professional advice. I’d like to thank Imran — I would highly recommend Ashmans Solicitors to everyone I know.”

— Sana Rashid

“Mr Ali was my Lawyer from Ashmans. He did a great job and my case was thrown out of court. Ashmans Solicitors are a fantastic and hard-working firm. If anybody needs advice in fraud cases they must always go to Ashmans.”

— Al-Amin Shourov

“He is a very bright, intelligent and articulate professional who has a unique talent to see through the fog to get to the true core of the issue. This, along with the energy, drive and commitment to find the solution to any challenge means that I thoroughly recommend Imran and his team.”

— Professional Endorsement, LinkedIn

Professional Approach

Mr Ali is known for his hands-on, proactive approach to criminal defence. He takes a detailed, forensic approach to case preparation, never waiting for the prosecution to build their case first. His method involves building the defence case meticulously, tirelessly, and precisely from the outset.

He recognises that complex crime involves substantial evidence, technical and forensic data, and often multiple defendants. His specialist fraud team has the expertise to effectively analyse evidence in order to prepare a solid defence case. He personally instructs leading forensic accountants and specialist barristers, matching expertise to each individual case.

Confidentiality is of paramount importance to Mr Ali’s practice. He understands that rumours can damage business and personal reputations, and maintains a strict confidentiality code at all times. His combination of technical expertise, strategic preparation, and personal dedication has earned him strong client loyalty and professional recognition.