Law Firm Defending Hamas Faces Watchdog Scrutiny Amid Political Backlash

 

A British law firm campaigning to remove Hamas from the UK’s list of proscribed terrorist organisations is under investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), following a referral by a senior political figure. Riverway Law, which attracted national attention in April for its controversial legal challenge, is now being scrutinised over potential breaches of professional and sanctions regulations.

 

Riverway Law submitted a 106-page application to the Home Office, urging the government to lift the proscription on Hamas. The firm, led by solicitor Fahad Ansari, argued that the group poses “no threat to the UK people” and that its continued classification as a terrorist organisation infringes on freedom of speech, as protected under the European Convention on Human Rights. The appeal was accompanied by a promotional video shared on social media.

 

Just days after this submission, Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, reported the firm to the SRA. In his letter, he warned of the implications for public trust in the legal profession. “There is a clear need to uphold public confidence in the legal profession and to ensure rigorous enforcement of the UK sanctions regime,” Jenrick wrote. He questioned whether Riverway Law had met its legal obligations under UK sanctions law, the SRA’s own guidance, and general professional standards.

 

Jenrick also pointed to a series of controversial social media posts by Ansari, who is both the director of Riverway Law and the leading lawyer in the Hamas appeal. These posts included statements such as referring to Hamas as a “legitimate resistance movement” and accusing the UK of supporting “Israeli genocide.” In another post from June, Ansari said: “If you believe genocidal Israel is the most moral army in the world, then you should view Hamas as an army of angels.” Additional comments praised “courageous Palestinian mujahideen” and dismissed international courts as “hopeless.”

 

The SRA has not yet reached any conclusions, and its investigation is believed to be in its early stages. Nevertheless, Jenrick welcomed the development. “Our sanctions regime is pointless if it isn’t enforced,” he told The Telegraph. “Ansari is a shameless apologist who argues Hamas poses no threat to the British people. What nonsense. This evil death cult threatens free people everywhere.”

 

Ansari, for his part, has staunchly defended the actions of his firm. He said Riverway took great care to ensure compliance with UK law. “We were in contact with OFSI [the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation], external counsel and others who had represented sanctioned organisation[s], to ensure that we did not breach our duties under the sanctions regime,” he stated. Ansari remains “confident” that the SRA will find no fault with the firm’s conduct.

 

The appeal being mounted by Riverway is thought to be unprecedented in the UK. The legal effort is reportedly led by Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official in charge of its international relations and legal matters. The submission claims that the British ban on Hamas is disproportionate and unnecessary, asserting that Hamas does not pose a direct threat to UK citizens.

 

While the case continues to generate fierce political and public debate, the SRA’s decision could set a significant precedent regarding the limits of legal advocacy in cases involving organisations subject to international sanctions.

 

Related Topics:

Robert Jenrick Urges Solicitors’ Watchdog to Investigate Hamas Legal Challenge

Hamas Challenges UK Terror Ban, Citing Human Rights and Peace Efforts

The immigration lawyer fighting to legalise Hamas

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-06-10

 

 

Either everyone has the right to legal representation/defense or everyone does not have the right to legal representation/defense.

Choose wisely.

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Either everyone has the right to legal representation/defense or everyone does not have the right to legal representation/defense.

 

Yep like Bruce Cutler and John Gotti.

Riverway Law are going to be under the microscope, quite rightly!

 

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

The firm, led by solicitor Fahad Ansari, argued that the group poses “no threat to the UK people”

Did he deliberately miss out the 14 UK nationals that were killed by Hamas on Oct 7th with others missing or taken hostage?

 

Be interesting to see where the funds for this legal case are coming from in this vile attempt to remove Hamas from the UK’s list of proscribed terrorist organizations. 

 

it would be illegal if they are from Hamas.

 

Hamas failed in their attempt at this with the EU.

56 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Riverway Law are going to be under the microscope, quite rightly!

 

Why rightly? This seems a attempt to politicise a legal matter.

11 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Why rightly? This seems a attempt to politicize a legal matter.

How is this an attempt to politicize an obviously flawed case? Is that what you are trying to do? 

 

 

3 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Either everyone has the right to legal representation/defense or everyone does not have the right to legal representation/defense.

Choose wisely.

 

Unless you're on the right of course.

 

In that case, the home office declares you a criminal before you've even stepped foot in a court.

 

15 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Unless you're on the right of course.

 

In that case, the home office declares you a criminal before you've even stepped foot in a court.

 

A bit of a fail their Jonny, everyone of those 1000 arrested had the right to legal representation/defense.

 

 

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

A bit of a fail their Jonny, everyone of those 1000 arrested had the right to legal representation/defense.

 

 

 

Yes, after the government had already stated their guilt on social media.

 

A free and fair trial - North Korea style. 

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

Riverway Law urging the government to lift the proscription on Hamas.

I wonder why...

 

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

The firm, led by solicitor Fahad Ansari

Now I see why...