Since accepting tenancy in Chambers in 2014, Aska’s practice has gone from strength to strength. She combines a fierce intellect with meticulous preparation and robust advice. Those who instruct her cite her sound tactical judgment, responsiveness and client care. She has won praise for her engaging and persuasive advocacy.
Aska is particularly sought after in cases requiring complex legal and extensive factual analysis involving voluminous material. She is adept in dealing with expert / technical evidence and making it accessible to a jury. Aska exercises particular care when dealing with vulnerable witnesses and clients.
Aska has extensive knowledge in a wide range of proceeds of crime matters and is frequently instructed in all stages of the confiscation process. She has also acted in cash forfeiture proceedings, including advising from an early stage.
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.
Aska is a native Japanese speaker and has given a seminar on UK constitutional law to Japanese MPs.
Memberships
South Eastern Circuit
Criminal Bar Association
Young Fraud Lawyers Association
European Criminal Bar Association
Appointments
CPS Advocate Panel at Level 3 (2016-2020
CPS Specialist Panel - Fraud at Level 3 (2018-2022)
SFO Prosecution Panel C List (2017-2021)
Education & Awards
Harmsworth Scholarship, Middle Temple (2011)
BPTC (2011)
MA, UCL (2007)
LLB, Waseda University, Japan (2005)
News
Jeffrey Israel and Aska Fujita defend in £5m ‘Airbnb’ Drugs Conspiracy
26 February 2019
Jeffrey Israel, leading Aska Fujita, are...
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Aska Fujita prosecuted a man convicted of smuggling three Albanian nationals in the cab of his lorry. The case involved cross-examination of experts. Instructed by the CPS.
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 Fujitarepresented a defendant charged with benefit fraud, spanning over 12 years, amounting to over £120,000. After negotiations with the prosecution, a plea on a basis was agreed, resulting in a suspended sentence. Instructed by Sternberg Reed.
Aska Fujitaprosecuted confiscation proceedings following the defendant’s guilty plea to a car-ringing conspiracy worth over £750,000. Instructed by the CPS.
Aska Fujita represented a defendant charged with fraud. Aska’s client, who was acquitted, was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and required the assistance of an intermediary throughout the trial proceedings. Instructed by Imran Khan and Partners.
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.
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.
