Zahra is an experienced private client solicitor primarily specialising in wills, inheritance tax and succession planning for UK and international individuals and families, with a particular emphasis on Sharia-compliant planning.
She has developed an established reputation in the Muslim faith community when it comes to advising on the interaction between the Sharia rules of succession and UK inheritance tax. In addition, Zahra also has significant expertise in complex cross border UK/US matters alongside her Sharia practice.
Zahra acts for mainly high-net worth families and individuals in relation to their lifetime tax and estate planning, which seeks to mitigate inheritance tax and protect assets for future generations, by effectively utilising the reliefs and exemptions available. Such planning often includes the preparation of complex wills and the use of trusts and advising on their tax implications.
Zahra has a personal interest in working with charities and has significant expertise in charity registrations and advising on suitable structures as well as providing ongoing advice to charity trustees in relation to their legal duties.
Zahra has a genuine ability to empathise, which when combined with her technical strengths, drafting skills and eye for detail, allows her to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients.
Recent work highlights
Advising a high-profile international sports professional and his spouse on complex US/UK cross-border estate and planning, including detailed analysis of the US/UK estate tax treaty and liaising with the client’s US advisers to structure an efficient long-term planning strategy to mitigate exposure across both jurisdictions.
Advising a UK resident family with a US citizen spouse on complex cross-border succession and tax planning, with a Sharia element, involving a trading business worth substantially in excess of the business relief allowance announced in December 2025, including making provision for a vulnerable beneficiary. This matter involved us working closely with the family’s UK accountant and US counsel to minimise exposure to taxes in both jurisdictions.
Advising an UHNW Middle Eastern family on the UK tax implications of their acquisition of UK residential property for occupation by the family and advising on the mitigation of their UK inheritance tax exposure. Providing further advice to the family on the subsequent transfer of the property to younger members of the family and structuring the transaction so as to not fall foul of the “gift with reservation of benefit” rules.
Experience & education
2026 Joined Birketts LLP
2023 – 2025 Howard Kennedy LLP
2016 – 2022 Thackray Williams LLP
2009 – 2016 Forsters LLP
2009 Qualified as a Solicitor
2007 – 2009 Training contract at Forsters LLP
2006 – 2007 College of Law, LPC
2003 – 2006 Queen Mary, University of London LLB (Hons)
Areas of Expertise
Accreditations
Citywealth Powerwomen Awards 2022
Nominated
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Full member
Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT)
Member
Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT)
Associate Member