From a Pakistani immigrant to Crown Court Judge: Tahir Khan KC shares his story

A newly appointed Circuit Judge has shared the touching and inspiring tale of his family’s journey to the United Kingdom from Pakistan and his remarkable ascent in the legal profession over the course of more than 50 years of residing in the city, according to a report by Telegraph and Argus.

Tahir Khan KC, who has often served as a Recorder at Bradford Crown Court, has been assigned to the North Eastern Circuit and will operate from the Leeds Combined Court Centre.

For the past two years, he has held the position of Joint Head at Broadway House Barristers Chambers, located in Vicar Lane, Little Germany, Bradford. Recently, the King has appointed him as a Circuit Judge based on the recommendations of the Lord Chancellor and the former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.

Khan shares the story of his family which dates back to June 1961, when his father, Mohammed Muzaffar Khan, flew into Heathrow airport on a flight from Karachi at the age of 24. It was the first time he had left his home in the Punjab region of Pakistan. He left behind his wife (his mother) and their infant, baby child (his elder sister).

His father was one of many young men who made that journey, migrating towards the industrial north of England with the dream of creating a better life for themselves and their families.

This migration to the United Kingdom brought with it immense challenges. His father, like many others, faced a daunting struggle for survival. He shared a house with over a dozen young men, all working tirelessly to support themselves and send money back to their families in Pakistan. Hostility and racism were prevalent at the time, casting a shadow over their pursuit of a better life. However, he was set apart from many of his fellow immigrants by his education and the ability to communicate in English.

As time passed by, Khan’s mother and his big daughter, who was just an infant back then, were allowed to join him in the UK, making Bradford their home for more than five decades. Education, too, played a pivotal role in shaping the future of their family. Despite limited financial resources and his father’s occupation as a bus driver, their children attended state schools in the city, where opportunities for upward mobility and success were not bound by privilege.

Tahir Khan eventually pursued a career in law. However, it was not a passion for the legal profession that led him down this path. Instead, it was a twist of fate – an unsuccessful attempt to study dentistry due to grade constraints. His journey into the legal field began as a junior prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) office in Bradford, where he was affectionately referred to as the ‘baby barrister.’ Despite his relative youth, Khan embraced the steep learning curve and swiftly found himself handling more complex cases.

Over the course of five years as a prosecutor, Khan honed his legal skills and deepened his understanding of the law. He was the only ethnic minority Crown Prosecutor in West Yorkshire at the time, highlighting the diversity of the legal profession and his commitment to breaking barriers.

In 1992, he joined Broadway House Barristers Chambers, a pivotal moment in his career. The guidance and mentorship he received from senior members of the legal community, including Sydney Levine and John Swanson, proved instrumental. Levine, fondly known as ‘Supersonic Sid’ for his accomplishments in law and marathon running, recognised Khan’s potential and encouraged him to aspire to greater heights. The support extended beyond the chambers, as senior members of the Bar and judges on the North Eastern Circuit rallied behind him.

In 2005, Khan was appointed as a fee-paid judge of the Crown Court, a significant milestone in his legal career. His journey continued upward, culminating in his appointment as Queen’s Counsel in 2011.

Today, he serves as the Joint Head of Broadway House Barristers Chambers alongside Stephen Wood KC, his dear friend and colleague. His roots remain firmly planted in Bradford, a city known for its diverse and harmonious communities. He takes pride in his upbringing in Bradford and sees it as an essential part of his identity, both personally and professionally.

Khan’s appointment as a Crown Court Judge is not just a personal triumph but also a testament to the inclusivity of the legal profession. His journey from the son of a Pakistani bus driver to a Crown Court Judge is a living testament to the fact that the legal field is open to individuals from all sections of society, not just the privileged few.