CPS London South staff recognised in Queen’s birthday honours

A legal manager who is committed to youth work and a case progression officer described as the glue that holds his team together have been recognised by the Queen in her birthday honours.

Toks Adesuyan, a senior district crown prosecutor, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to law and order.

Zahir Patel, a case progression officer, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), also for services to law and order. They both work for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) London South Area and have made an outstanding contribution to the Criminal Justice System during the pandemic.

In a lengthy career with the CPS beginning in 1989, Toks played a central role in the prosecution of hundreds of individuals who committed crimes during the London disorder in 2011. He organised lawyers to cover night courts, personally prosecuted cases, and demonstrated strong leadership and personal courage throughout.

Toks has oversight of all advocacy across the South London magistrates’ courts and was instrumental in finding solutions to presenting court cases virtually during the pandemic, by working closely with criminal justice partners.

Alongside this, Toks is also an ambassador for the CPS and is the London South knife crime and pan-London youth lead. Heavily involved in community engagement work, Toks regularly presents to schools, educating young people about the role of the CPS and supporting wider community work to help divert young people away from crime.

Zahir joined the CPS 17 years ago. He is a ‘digital champion’ and has played a key role in the successful delivery of numerous projects that have contributed to the CPS becoming more digital. He ensures colleagues across his team are supported with new technology and has been at the heart of a visible cultural change in digital working.

Zahir’s knowledge of case management has been key to ensuring that cases that are put before the courts are effective. He has quality assured the case progression of thousands of cases during the pandemic and has been instrumental in delivering essential training to new lawyers, successfully guiding them through the systems and processes of the CPS.

Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London South, Lionel Idan, said: “Toks and Zahir are two shining examples of CPS London South staff who have dedicated their lives to the delivery of justice. Their passion and unwavering commitment to public service have rightly been recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours. I am immensely proud of them and their outstanding contribution to the Service and to society as a whole. Their richly deserved awards symbolise the enormous dedication of many others on our front line and behind the scenes, especially during this past unprecedented year.”