Human Rights Lawyer
Media Commentator
Chair - Human Rights Lawyers Association
Director - SMK Law Solicitors
Shoaib is a barrister and a solicitor-advocate. He is Chair of the Human Rights Lawyers Association and sits on the Law Society’s Human Rights Committee. Shoaib has worked with some of the UK’s leading human rights NGOs in various roles and is a media commentator on legal issues. He has been dealing with legal cases for 20 years and was Called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2007. He has been a solicitor since 2010, and has dealt with legal cases at all levels, including the European Court of Human Rights. He is director of SMK Law Solicitors and his expertise extends to immigration law, asylum law, family law and other areas with human rights aspects.
Shoaib is frequently invited to speak to the media about legal affairs and human rights. He has been published in almost all mainstream British newspapers, including the Guardian, the Telegraph, the Independent, the Sun, the Daily Mail and the Express. He has appeared on many radio and TV channels including the BBC, CNN, Sky, LBC and other UK and international channels.Shoaib regularly speaks at and chairs high-level conferences and seminars and has organised high-profile events himself too.
Shoaib is particularly interested in the standards of human rights-related coverage in UK media. He engages with the media directly, in order to ensure fair coverage of human rights and the legal system. His complaints have resulted in numerous media corrections about the law and human rights, leading to one tabloid accusing him of having “appointed himself as some sort of watchdog” on such issues. He has also been invited to meet with newspapers’ senior management to discuss how coverage of legal issues can be improved and made fairer.
Shoaib is frequently invited to speak to the media about legal affairs and human rights. He has been published in almost all mainstream British newspapers, including the Guardian, the Telegraph, the Independent, the Sun, the Daily Mail and the Express. He has appeared on many radio and TV channels including the BBC, CNN, Sky, LBC and other UK and international channels.Shoaib regularly speaks at and chairs high-level conferences and seminars and has organised high-profile events himself too.
Shoaib is particularly interested in the standards of human rights-related coverage in UK media. He engages with the media directly, in order to ensure fair coverage of human rights and the legal system. His complaints have resulted in numerous media corrections about the law and human rights, leading to one tabloid accusing him of having “appointed himself as some sort of watchdog” on such issues. He has also been invited to meet with newspapers’ senior management to discuss how coverage of legal issues can be improved and made fairer.
Expertise
Human Rights
Shoaib’s assistance in asylum cases can include preparing and lodging the asylum claim. He can help clients gather and present evidence to support their claims of persecution, ensuring their cases are as compelling as possible. He can accompany asylum seekers to asylum interviews and prepare witness statements etc to help the client explain their situation. If an asylum application is refused, he can assist clients in appealing the decision and pursuing legal remedies to secure asylum status including in court.
Immigration & Asylum
Shoaib is a specialist in cases involving immigration detention and bail. In 2012, he personally represented in court and secured release of a client detained under immigration powers for more than 5 years in aggregate, considered to be one of the longest periods of immigration detention in the country. In bail-related matters, Shoaib can help clients who have been detained, advocating for their release on bail so they can continue any ongoing legal proceedings outside of detention. Shoaib can help clients understand and fulfill the conditions of their bail, such as attending court hearings or reporting to the Home Office. He can ensure that clients’ due process rights are upheld during bail proceedings, preventing unlawful or excessive detention.
Media Commentator
Shoaib’s assistance in asylum cases can include preparing and lodging the asylum claim. He can help clients gather and present evidence to support their claims of persecution, ensuring their cases are as compelling as possible. He can accompany asylum seekers to asylum interviews and prepare witness statements etc to help the client explain their situation. If an asylum application is refused, he can assist clients in appealing the decision and pursuing legal remedies to secure asylum status including in court.
Latest Videos
News & Updates
Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Human Rights Lawyers Association Annual Virtual Seminar: Advocacy & Strategy for Human Rights Defenders: Community, Communication & Collective Action on Thursday 11 December 2025
A global virtual seminar bringing together human rights lawyers and civil society actors to explore innovative advocacy, digital strategies, and collective action.
HRLA hosts Inaugural Annual Lecture
The Human Rights Lawyers Association (HRLA) marked a major milestone by hosting its first-ever Annual Lecture, bringing together leading voices in human rights law.
The event offered thoughtful discussion and reflection on the evolving challenges and future direction of human rights advocacy.
Recognition List
A list of solicitors and barristers in England and Wales who provide free legal services to those in need. It serves to recognize and celebrate the voluntary contributions of legal professionals who help ensure access to justice.
committees parliament uk written evidence
Written evidence submitted by human rights lawyer Shoaib M. Khan to a UK Parliamentary committee regarding the enforcement of human rights. It argues that the British media frequently spreads myths and inaccuracies about human rights, which negatively shapes public perception and discourages people from seeking legal protection.
conference details CONF2713
The event features leading legal experts and journalists who discuss the media’s critical role in shaping public perception of human rights and the importance of a free press.
Race ‘not main issue’ in Manchester grooming case, says human rights lawyer
Shoaib Khan told LBC that although race was “an issue”, it was not main one. He said the race of those involved did not form a key part of report into how Manchester Police (GMP) handled the grooming of teenage girls in the 2000s.
Contact Shoaib
Shoaib is happy to be approached for media comment and to receive invitations to speak at legal and public events. Please use the form or contact him on Twitter or LinkedIn.
For legal advice on immigration or human rights cases, you can contact him on 02085 774 101 or shoaib@smklaw.co.uk
- 02085 774 101
- shoaib@smklaw.co.uk
- 206 Great West Rd, Hounslow TW5 9AW, UK
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- 0208 577 4101
- shoaib@smklaw.co.uk
- 206 Great West Rd, Hounslow TW5 9AW, UK
- Privacy Policy