Our People
Ronan Maguire – Director & Principal Solicitor. Ronan’s first job in the law was as a criminal litigation clerk in his native town of Enniskillen in Northern Ireland back in 1993. He qualified as a solicitor in 1997 and has practiced as an Advocate in the Higher Courts since 2002. He is therefore approaching 30 years experience working in criminal defence.
Over the years Ronan has worked on numerous high profile cases and is well known for his robust approach to defending his clients.
He has developed a particular specialism in defending allegations of serious financial and regulatory crime. Consequently the firm have been involved in some of the highest profile HMRC prosecutions in recent years. Ronan regularly deals with complex proceeds of crime applications and has represented and advised clients on appeal in relation to a series of such applications that were mishandled at the Crown Court.
Ronan has also had significant success in overturning convictions at the Court of Appeal. See the notable cases section for details. He believes in being hands on and is as comfortable attending the police station or magistrates court as he is appealing a conviction at the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division. Getting the best possible advice at the earliest possible stage is often crucial and could make the difference between a poor or satisfactory outcome and the best possible outcome for a client.
Claire Maguire – Practice Manager. Claire has a dual honours degree from York University and previously worked as a BBC & freelance television and radio producer. Claire assisted Ronan in establishing the practice and she now manages all aspects of it.
Rebecca Caulfield – Associate Solicitor & Higher Rights Advocate
Rebecca Caulfield is an experienced criminal defence solicitor and Higher Rights Advocate with over 15 years’ expertise in handling a wide spectrum of cases, from general crime to complex, high‑value and serious matters. She is an Associate Solicitor at Maguires Solicitors Ltd.
Rebecca has significant advocacy experience in both the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts, regularly acting in serious cases including fraud, homicide, organised crime, and sensitive matters involving vulnerable clients. She is particularly recognised for her meticulous case preparation, strategic use of expert evidence, and her ability to secure favourable outcomes in challenging circumstances.
Her work often involves complex financial investigations, large volumes of evidence, and multi-defendant proceedings. Rebecca is also known for her empathetic approach, with a strong professional and personal commitment to supporting clients with mental health conditions and neurodivergence.
She qualified in 2007 and has since built a reputation for diligence, sound judgement, and tenacity. Rebecca has been praised by both clients and counsel for her professionalism, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes.
Phil Axon – Duty Solicitor
Having qualified as a solicitor in 2010 and attaining Higher Rights (Criminal) in 2014, Phil has worked predominantly in criminal law encompassing the full spectrum of criminal matters assisting clients from the police station through to conclusion before the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court. He is a duty solicitor.
In 2018 Phil moved to the Falklands to act as a legal practitioner before returning to the UK in 2019. Phil also holds a practicing certificate in St Helena.
Phil maintains a practice both here, in the Falklands, and in St Helena.
Phil speaks French and German.
Nawal Nadeem – Duty Solicitor
Nawal Nadeem is a Criminal Defence Solicitor with experience representing clients across a broad range of criminal matters, from police station investigations through to proceedings before the Magistrates’ Court.
Nawal qualified as a Solicitor in 2022 and is also an Accredited Police Station Representative and Certified Duty Solicitor. She advises and assists clients in relation to a wide range of offences including serious violence, drug offences, sexual offences, fraud and public order matters.
Known for her approachable and empathetic manner, Nawal is committed to providing clients with clear advice, strong representation and support throughout every stage of proceedings. She regularly represents clients at the police station and Magistrates’ Court, with experience conducting advocacy in a range of hearings and applications.
Prior to qualification, Nawal gained experience across criminal defence and intellectual property law, developing strong analytical skills and a client-focused approach.
Alongside her legal practice, Nawal takes a keen interest in professional development and access to justice within the criminal legal system. She is passionate about client care and works diligently to achieve the best possible outcomes for those she represents.
Nawal is fluent in Urdu.
Kennedy Masekesa
A dedicated and results-driven Criminal Solicitor with a solid legal foundation developed through initial training in conveyancing law. Combining meticulous attention to detail, strong client care skills, and extensive experience handling complex conveyancing legal matters, they bring a well-rounded and practical approach to criminal defence.
Having begun their legal career in conveyancing, they developed exceptional organisational, drafting, and case management abilities, as well as a strong understanding of regulatory compliance and client relations. Transitioning into criminal law allowed them to apply these transferable skills in a fast-paced and highly demanding environment, representing clients with professionalism, empathy, and determination.
Kennedy has represented clients in the magistrates’ courts, they are confident handling a broad range of criminal matters including assault, theft, drug offences, motoring offences, and public order cases. Known for remaining calm under pressure and providing clear, practical legal advice, they are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for their clients while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Their unique background in both property and criminal law demonstrates adaptability, versatility, and a strong commitment to professional development within the legal sector.
Emaan Ahmed Shah
Emaan Ahmed Shah is a Chartered Legal Executive Litigator (Criminal Litigation) with experience across all stages of the criminal justice process. She assists the firm in representing clients facing criminal investigations and prosecutions.
Emaan graduated with an LLB (Hons – Upper Second Class) from the University of London before completing the Bar Training Course and LLM at the University of the West of England, achieving a Very Competent, and was Called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn in 2022. She also holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Crime Control from the University of Hull, has completed the Police Station Representative Accreditation Scheme.
Since joining Maguires Solicitors, Emaan has been involved in a wide range of criminal matters, including police station representation, case preparation, legal research, drafting witness statements, bail applications, legal representations, trial bundles, and instructions to counsel. She regularly liaises with clients, police officers, the Crown Prosecution Service, barristers, and court staff to ensure cases progress effectively. Emaan has experience assisting in serious and complex criminal cases, including allegations of international drug importation, human trafficking, rape and other serious sexual offences, and terrorism-related matters.
Prior to joining Maguires Solicitors, Emaan gained experience in criminal defence, family law, and childcare proceedings, developing strong client care skills and a practical understanding of the challenges faced by individuals involved in legal proceedings. Emaan is committed to delivering a professional, approachable, and client-focused service. She is currently working towards obtaining her Rights of Audience and looks forward to representing clients before the Magistrates’ Court in the future.
She is fluent in Urdu.