Ralph Sam Haeems
{{Short description|Indian-born British criminal defence solicitor (1940–2005)}}
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Ralph Sam Haeems (9 November 1940 – 31 March 2005) was a leading British criminal defence solicitor. He is credited with innovative defences in criminal cases, which, in some cases, created new legal precedents in UK appeals courts.[https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/apr/19/guardianobituaries Obituary in The Guardian]
Early years
Haeems was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) to a Bene Israel Jewish family. His parents were teachers. He attended Bombay University, earning his B.Sc degree in engineering. He came to England in 1962 to study for a master's degree in chemistry.
London
He found a position as an office clerk in the East End, placing bets for his employers and collecting the winnings. He was promoted to supervising the defense of a murder suspect, whom he helped to acquit. Haeems then found employment with an offer of an articled clerkship. In 1972 he qualified as a solicitor and five years later set up his own practice.
Notable cases
Haeems participated in the trials of George Ince, Dennis Nilsen, Russell Bishop and several defendants in the Brink's-Mat robbery.
Death
Haeems suffered a heart attack in January 2005 and underwent triple bypass surgery two months later. He died, aged 64, from complications which set in during the following weeks.
Family
References
External links
- [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article383417.ece Obituary in The Times (Online)]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
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Category:Indian emigrants to England
Category:British people of Indian-Jewish descent
Category:20th-century English lawyers