Nazir Afzal OBE, is currently Acting Chief Crown Prosecutor, London.
Nazir is a nationally merited and respected CPS lawyer. He joined the CPS in 1991 and has successfully prosecuted many high profile cases. Nazir’s distinguished ability as a law advocate, his assertive approach and receptive authority are the attributes that make him best able to serve in a variety of legal matters. His knowledge and expertise span many areas of law and have led to him instigating many new initiatives and partnerships that have assisted the CPS in raising its profile and reputation as a driving force within the Criminal Justice System, public sector service agencies, wider Civil Service and marginalised communities.
Nazir was one of the very first CPS Higher Court Advocates (HCAs) and one of the lead trainers. He is the Service champion for advocacy, promoting best practice in case presentation, together with championing legal training and law scholarship. He initiated the HQ Advocacy project and continues to work closely in successful negotiations on the Law Society’s Exemption process. He chairs the National Advocacy Strategy Group and HCA Exemption Committee which he initiated and has exempted more than 70 HCAs from training thereby saving more than £400K in training costs and enabling CPS lawyers to immediately exercise their higher rights.
Recognised as a great ambassador and role model for the CPS and the criminal justice system, as CPS Director, Nazir has played a significant role in ensuring that the CPS performance is efficient, effective and excellent in all areas and ranks of its business. His leadership, management and excellent communications skills have been key drivers in raising aspirations, motivating CPS staff in meeting their performance targets and identifying new areas for their personal and career development. Nazir developed the first formal witness familiarisation training programme for police officers at the Crime Academy Hendon and joined in a groundbreaking partnership with BPP plc. His doing so has also created a new funding stream for the Crown Prosecution Service. Nazir also recently worked with the UN development programme on the Rule of Law.
Nazir relishes the opportunity of taking on legal challenges, championing justice and bringing to light the often unrecognised and silenced contemporary crimes of the Millennium era. He has achieved unparalleled success by leading the way and driving the CPS, criminal justice system partners and other stakeholders forward, initiating ground breaking conferences and seminars that have addressed; crime in sport, sexual exploitation, airport crimes, ‘honour’ crimes and killings and gangs. The conferences attracted widespread press coverage and put the various issues at the top of the public agenda. The present high profile of these subjects owes a considerable amount to Nazir's tireless 'campaigning' on the issues, raising victims’ rights, highlighting the complacency of some, and sending out messages through successful prosecutions which he himself handles and which are intended to improve victim/witness confidence in particular.
Nazir’s innovative and futuristic leadership attributes have led him to become a tutor for Common Purpose and the Young Foundations who deliver programmes for the country’s emerging leaders. Nazir also acts an ambassador for the Kids Taskforce and has recently presented papers to the University of London, SOAS and LSE. Recently Nazir developed a storyline for a DVD aimed at children and young people. Nazir was asked to help develop the storyline for the DVD, which tackles topics such as extremism and faith, bullying and youth crime. Copies of the DVD, which contains live action and animation, will go out to every secondary school in England, with advice to teachers on facilitating pupil discussion about the issues it raises.
In addition to his CPS commitments, Nazir is a Judge for the Asian Woman magazine Excellence awards. Nazir gives a considerable amount of time to charitable work and is trustee of the Wayout Dreams Foundation, the Henna Foundation and Commissioner of the Commission on British Muslims & Islamophobia. He is a founding trustee of the Centre for Muslim Affairs.
Nazir’s leadership as a premier legal advocate has been noted with many accolades. In the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list 2005 he was awarded the OBE for his work with the CPS and involvement with local communities. In 2007 he was named CPS Public Servant of the year and Legal Personality of the Year by the Society of Asian Lawyers which represents around 15000 professionals. Most recently, following a public vote, Nazir was awarded the Daily Mirror “People’s Award”. Nazir was also selected for the Asian Power 100 along with the Muslim Power 100 list and is thereby recognised as one of the 100 most influential leading Muslims and Asians in the UK.
