Aska is known for her fierce intellect, unwavering work ethic and robust advice. Those who instruct her value her sound tactical judgment, dedication and client care. She has won praise from judges for her engaging and compelling advocacy.
Aska excels in cases requiring complex legal and/or extensive factual analysis. Her meticulous preparation enables her to identify and distil crucial evidence from voluminous material. She is adept in presenting expert / technical evidence clearly and succinctly to a jury. Current instructions include allegations of bitcoin fraud over the dark web [Op Fiangar, instructed by CPS CCU].
Aska has been instructed as disclosure counsel by the Serious Fraud Office on a number of different cases and is on the SFO Prosecution counsel list. She has expertise in bribery and corruption, corporate crime, financial crime and proceeds of crime.
Aska is a native Japanese speaker and has given seminars on UK constitutional and criminal law to Japanese MPs, judges and prosecutors.
Aska is a member of the CBA Education & Training Committee.
Aska Fujita, led by Kevin Dent QC of 5 St Andrews Hill, prosecuted a 6-week trial for controlling prostitution and being concerned in the supply of cocaine. The case, comprising over 62,500 pages of evidence, was investigated by the Met Police specialist Modern Slavery and Kidnap Team and centred around nine defendants and multiple brothels operating in North West London. Instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Division.
Aska Fujita prosecuted 18 defendants charged with violent disorder arising from a “Free Tommy Robinson” protest on 9th June 2018. The investigation included over 400 witness statements and 200 hours’ of CCTV, BWV and police evidence gatherer footage, which Aska reviewed. All defendants pleaded guilty. Instructed by the CPS Complex Casework Division.
Jeffery Israel led Aska Fujita representing the third defendant in this six-handed, eight-week trial. Aska represented her client, charged with 14 counts of conspiracy to supply drugs worth over £3.5m and possession of criminal property, from the outset. The evidence consisted of +100k pages of evidence and unused material. Instructed by Sternberg Reed.
Aska Fujita prosecuted a man caught smuggling three Albanian nationals in the cab of his lorry. The case involved cross-examination of experts. Instructed by the CPS.
Aska Fujita defended a youth jointly charged with an adult for s18 wounding by stabbing another youth in the stomach. The ten-day trial included applications to exclude identification evidence and to include the bad character of the co-defendant due to the cut-throat defence. Instructed by Sternberg Reed Solicitors.
Aska represented the third defendant as junior alone in a six-handed trial where the first defendant was represented by silk and junior, and the second defendant was represented by two juniors. Aska’s client was charged with three counts of participating in fraud by abuse of position with other family members totalling c£300,000. The trial required analysis of substantial financial evidence covering numerous bank accounts. After a six-week trial, Aska’s client was the only defendant to be acquitted of any count and ultimately received a suspended sentence. Instructed by Sternberg Reed.
Aska Fujita represented an ex-MEP in confiscation proceedings following his conviction of offences of fraud and money laundering. The case involved complex legal issues in relation to the impact of a trust on the benefit and available amount. Instructed by Sternberg Reed. Daily Mail report here.
Aska Fujita represented the third of nine defendants charged with stealing a substantial amount of cash from their employer over the course of eight and a half years. Aska’s client was unanimously acquitted after a five-week trial. Instructed by Sternberg Reed.
Aska Fujita represented the appellant who had severe learning difficulties and mental health issues, and had been sentenced to an extended sentence comprising a four year custodial period and two year extended licence for sexual assault. The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal, reducing the custodial period to two years and eight months. The judgment is reported here(subscription required) under neutral citation [2015] EWCA Crim 1901. The Court of Appeal commended Aska for the “eloquence of her submissions”. Instructed by GT Stewart.
