Extremely ambitious, incredibly driven and very tenacious. Fearless, astute, and shrewd in business yet professional, ethical and highly skilled in court. A strong believer in justice, human rights, fairness, diversity and equality for people across all walks of life.
My work
Family Law - Children Act 1989 and Family Law Act 1996
Sima has a strong family practice in representing clients in Children Act matters and frequently acts in private children cases involving safeguarding issues, including allegations of physical, emotional, financial and sexual abuse. She regularly appears in Finding of Fact and Final hearings in matters involving complex legal and factual issues. Sima has also been instructed internationally on child abduction cases and in the safe return of children.
Sima also regularly acts in Family Law Act applications such as non molestations orders and occupation order, including directions hearings and contested final hearings, on behalf of both applicants and respondents.
She prides herself on ensuring the case is prepared to the best standard to ensure successful results. Sima is direct in her approach and prefers to spend valuable time with her clients studying their case together and devising a case strategy which is clear and concise. She is very experienced as an advocate and fearlessly presents her cases in Court without hesitation.
Family Law - Divorce and Finances
Sima specialises in engaging in all areas of divorce and financial remedy applications and represents both applicants and respondents in FDA (Fist Hearings) hearings, Financial Dispute Resolution hearings and Final Hearings. She has dealt with a range of cases including high net worth divorces. She deals frequently and confidently with financial-remedies cases involving high-value assets, complex business structures, family trusts, and assets outside of the jurisdiction and frequently deals with cases involving multiple parties and interveners and cases involving complex issues of conduct. In addition to financial remedies cases, Sima regularly undertakes cases relating to non-matrimonial finances such as TOLATA applications, cohabitation cases, civil-partnership issues, and Schedule-1 claims.
She is a strong advocate and her submissions are often referred to as forceful and persuasive. She gives realistic and practical advice from the outset but it not afraid to face a challenge. She has extensive experience of proceedings at all levels up to the Court of Appeal with leading Counsel.
About me
Sima was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2013. Before joining the Bar, whist studying her law degree, Sima was an Intern at the Texas After Violence Project/ Innocence Project in Texas, USA. She travelled to Houston and Austin Texas and met with Prosecuting Lawyers, Defence Counsel and Judges who ran the Innocence Project – a project that focussed exclusively on exonerating inmates through DNA testing.
Since being called to the Bar, Sima worked in a solicitor’s firm as a Chartered Legal Executive until December 2016 before becoming a Partner. She was the youngest Partner in the firm specialising in all aspects as immigration, family and civil disputes as well managing one of the firm’s branches in Leeds, West Yorkshire. She then secured Pupillage with Article 6 Law in October 2017 and successfully completed this in July 2018.
What my clients say
"Acting as a litigant in person is an extremely daunting prospect and navigating the whole divorce process with a difficult, contentious, controlling ex husband made mine even more challenging. I needed a good barrister through direct access to help me through my upcoming financial hearings and settlement. I wanted someone I could talk honestly to and who understood what was at stake for me and my children. I called a few barristers and whilst legally astute I felt they were all missing the human touch I felt I needed from my counsel. Having read Sima’s profile and reviews, I knew she was perfect for me and my case and I was not wrong, from the very first conversation, she grasped the facts and immediately made me feel reassured that she understood me and my situation and was in my corner and by my side and ready to help me fight things legally. I found Sima to be Extremely knowledgable, very personable, thorough and diligent. She strategically helped me present my case to the court, while she managed my expectations and respected my limited funds. She truly cares and went above and beyond to ensure she delivered on her promise as my legal counsel. She was an absolute blessing for me, and I wouldn’t hesitate at all to recommend her to others in similar difficult situations....it’s the best investment I made during my divorce and I know I would not have had the same success without her assistance". K.P. Feb 2021
"I was a LIP during my financial case within divorce proceedings. I realised I would struggle to argue against the lies and manipulation from my ex so I found Sima through direct access. As soon as I read previous reviews and Sima's own testimony to what she represents, I knew she would be the barrister for me- honest, upfront, tenacious. I wasn't disappointed. Sima knew my case inside out, She understood and represented me how I wanted to be and was honest about my chances. She stood her ground during the Final Hearing and sifted through my ex's lies and manipulations. Not only was justice served but I gained closure from the process of seeing my ex be held accountable for his actions. I couldn't have done it without Sima and I have no concerns about moving ahead with the children's proceedings. I know that whatever happens, Sima will do her best to ensure the best outcome for me and my children. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Sima as she knows the law really well and has the passion and drive to implement it fairly. " Amin Dec 2020
"Sima I am glad that you are representing me. I was very impressed with the way you started our first hearing. You were very well prepared, professional, capable, and strong. I felt that the hearing went well. Thank you! I would highly recommend you" Almusa Nov 2020
"Sima is very professional, very helpful and very respectful, she has treated me with dignity and really helped me through a stressful time. Sima made me feel at ease and helped lift the burden I had. I fully believe Sima is very capable and the best Barrister to represent you because she takes the time and consideration to deal with you and your case, I have been in very good hands the whole way through. Before Sima started to work with my long and complicated case, I had spent a lot of money with another firm and had received no progress. Sima continues to work relentlessly, I am very happy with the progress and results achieved by Sima. I would highly recommend Sima’s services to anybody and feel the trust and friendly approach she provides is second to none. From the very start she’s been fast and efficient. If you need an excellent and experienced barrister in the family law, then look no further. ★★★★★. The court room is where you will truly appreciate how hard she’s worked and studied your case. And representing you with a steely and clear manner is a natural ability she possesses." W. Gonzalez July 2020
'Sima Najma has represented me in a recent family matters case which had become quite complex. She certainly knew how to overcome any obstacles with knowledge and expertise. Sima goes above and beyond to make a stressful situation less so explaining everything going through the process from start to finish. I can’t thank her enough and feel so lucky to have found her. I have and will continue to recommend her to anyone who needs someone who’s thorough and the top of her profession.
Regards, Sharon Dawson.'
After a very emotional and distressing time fighting to see my children. I was recommended Sima by a friend who said that she was the best at what she does. Without fail my case has taken a u'turn. Thanks to sima I finally get to see my children again. Sima has been nothing but exceptional, compassionate and driven to get us this result. I honestly can not recommend or praise sima enough with this review. Thank you again. (Chris)
Dear Sima,
This week has felt like an eternity but I couldn’t end it without saying a thank you.
I honestly think you’re a super woman , the way you work through the night to the way you presented yourself as a barrister, OMG let’s just say I would never want to be on the other side because i would lose. I genuinely felt that you cared about my kids and it wasn’t just about work.
Every single thing I said in my statement was true but it’s just taken me 14yrs to break that cycle because so many women like me remain trapped due to mainly finances so the fact that you were able to drop your fees for me meant more than I can say in words. I honestly believe that having you represent me would have made my husband realise he was in for a battle but it also made me feel like there was some hope in the days leading up to the case.
You have given me and my three boys a new chapter in our lives and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
I’m expecting to see you on the news at some point for winning some massive case, wishing you all the best for your career and future.
Take care, (Rohini)
Professional & academic
Qualifications
LLB (Hons)
Chartered Legal Executive (2016-2017)
Professional Memberships
Honourable Society of Inner Temple
Human Rights Lawyers AssociationMidlands Asian Lawyers Association
- All Locations
- Greater Manchester
- Yorkshire