Ayesha Smart

Call 2014

smart@exchangechambers.co.uk

‘A well-respected junior. She is meticulous and a cogent advocate, with an analytical approach.’

The Legal 500 - Leading Junior, Crime 2024
Photo of Ayesha Smart

  • Recommendations

    ‘A well-respected junior. She is meticulous and a cogent advocate, with an analytical approach.’
    The Legal 500 – Leading Junior, Crime 2024

    “Ayesha is confident and has a steadfast approach to court advocacy, with fierce determination and tenacity exhibited in equal measure. She remains unflappable in even the most difficult cases.”
    The Legal 500 – Leading Junior, Crime 2023

  • Beyond the Bar

    Ayesha is an avid skier and snowboarder. She has two Northern Inuits that she enjoys walking across the Dales.

    Ayesha also has a keen interest in music and plays the piano, trumpet, saxophone and bass guitar.

  • Education

    LLM in Medical Law and Ethics – University of Edinburgh
    LLB (hons) – BPP University
    BSc (hons) in Medical Science – University of Leeds

  • Appointments

    Recorder on the North East Circuit in Crime

    Screening Committee Chair of the British Psychoanalytical Council

    CPS General Crime Panel – Grade 3
    CPS Serious Crime Panel – Grade 3
    CPS RASSO Panel

  • Memberships

    North Eastern Circuit
    Gray’s Inn
    Criminal Bar Association
    UK Centre for Animal Law

  • Publications

    Barrister Magazine – “Have we really reformed animal welfare post-Brexit?” [2023]
    Animal Equality UK – “The Enforcement Solution” Report [2023]
    BBC Panorama – “The true cost of milk” [2022]

  • News

Practice Overview

Ayesha has practised in the North of England since commencing her pupillage in 2014. She continues to enjoy a mixed practice of crime, personal injury/clinical negligence and regulatory law.

Ayesha prosecutes and defends a variety of offences, however, her speciality is in serious crime and she excels in cases involving medical or expert evidence. She is also recognised as a specialist in animal welfare law.

Ayesha also accepts instructions in personal injury, clinical negligence and regulatory matters. Prior to coming to the bar, she worked in Pathology within the NHS and therefore has particular strengths when dealing with medico-legal cases.