ABOUT US

We have a wealth of experience in criminal defence and road traffic matters regularly dealing with cases in the Justice of the Peace Court, Sheriff Court and the High Court.

Welcome to WA Legal.
Your award winning criminal defence and road traffic solicitors.

We have a wealth of experience in criminal defence and road traffic matters regularly dealing with cases in the Justice of the Peace Court, Sheriff Court and the High Court. Our service is based around a friendly and approachable attitude appreciating the sensitivity of your case and circumstances. We are able to represent your interests in every corner of Scotland for both court and police station representation. We are on hand 24/7 to offer you advice and assistance and are able to deal with your case no matter how minor or serious the matter. We are registered with the Scottish Legal Aid Board. For those that don’t qualify for legal aid, our fees are competitive and tailored. Please reach out to us to see how we can help you.

Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu & Other Languages

For those that don’t speak fluent English or would prefer to converse in Punjabi, Hindi or Urdu, then WA Legal is the law firm for you. For those that would prefer to speak in other languages including Polish then we can arrange the use of interpretation services for you. Please contact us for more information.

Our Team

Waqqas Ashraf

Principal Director

Our principal director Waqqas Ashraf graduated in Law from the University of Edinburgh. He completed his studies at the University of Glasgow where he obtained his diploma in professional legal practice. Waqqas has a significant wealth of experience in dealing with Criminal and Road Traffic law. He regularly appears in courts across Scotland and deals with all types of cases, from minor speeding cases to murder cases in the High Court of Justiciary.

Waqqas has a strong reputation within the legal profession and his hard work and success has resulted in award winning moments. Waqqas has previously served as a council member to the Law Society of

Scotland where he represented solicitors in the constituency of Paisley, Greenock and Kilmarnock.

Waqqas serves as an independent disciplinary panel member for Scottish Athletics and UK Athletics and in 2022 was appointed as a legal convenor to the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland.

Waqqas is bilingual. He speaks English, Urdu and Hindi.

Waqqas works passionately for our clients. He is approachable and tailors his craft to each and every client. Waqqas understands that court proceedings are traumatic and works hard to make every step easier for our clients.

Miriam Ashraf

Director

Miriam has extensive experience in the legal field having worked for a well-recognised international law firm. Her previous area of expertise has led to her forming the ability to focus on detail and ensuring cases are handled professionally under extreme pressure. Miriam predominantly works in our high court team and is involved in case preparation and instructing counsel at the Sheriff Court and the High Court of Justiciary.

Sam Henderson

Trainee Solicitor

Sam is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, obtaining his LLB in 2019. In 2022, he completed his Diploma in Professional Legal Practice from the University of Dundee and the Effective Legal Writing: Drafting for Global Audience, online course, from the University of Seattle.

Sam is a U.S. qualified attorney, admitted to the bar of the State of New York. His practice has been focused on U.S. immigration, with a particular interest and focus in Crimmigration. 

Before joining WA Legal, he worked at Olivia McLaren Ltd, preparing immigration cases for employers and skilled individuals, such as PGA Professionals, film and music producers, musicians, and artists. He also assisted clients with very serious criminal records to simple regulatory offenses, caution, and reprimands, argue their case to relevant US government agencies that their case did not bar entry to the United States or that their case qualified for relevant waiver or legal exception.

Sam has also undergone pro-bono work with the Louisiana Project Pro-Bono Centre, in which he had to create legal memos to address legal questions on areas of Louisiana Succession, Intestacy Law, Civil Procedure, and Property Law for staff attorneys at the centre.

In addition, he has volunteered with Rocky Mountain Immigration Advocacy Network in Colorado, US- where he assisted detainees in the detention centre applying for parole or temporary release while their removal or US visa application was pending.

Sam is a member of the American Bar Association and American Immigration Lawyers Association.

He enjoys playing and watching football, going to the cinema, and hiking with his dogs.