Khawar Qureshi QC, Head of Chambers

Called to the Bar 1990
Silk 2006

Main Areas of Expertise include:

  • International arbitration
    (ICC, UNCITRAL, LCIA, Arbitration Act 1996)
  • Commercial Law
    (Aviation, Banking, Commercial Contracts, Sale of Goods)
  • Public International Law
    (State and Diplomatic Immunity, Treaty drafting and interpretation, Negotiation, Bi-Lateral Investment Treaty claims)
  • Public Law/Constitutional Law
    (Judicial Review, ECHR/Human Rights Act 1998 matters, advising on draft legislation, Mutual Legal Assistance, Extradition)

Recommendations:

International Arbitration (Chambers & Partners) (top 5 QC)

Nominated for International Arbitration Silk of the Year 2007

Public International Law (Chambers & Partners)

Public International Law (Legal 500)

Public International Law (Legal Experts)

Administrative and Public Law (Legal 500)

What some of the directories say:

Legal Week (December 2006) listed as one of the top 20 New QC’s

“A thought leader in his work”

Chambers & Partners (2006)

“Barrister Khawar Qureshi of Serle Court is highly respected for his coverage of international arbitration and associated points of PIL. He often acts for the UK Government in cases with a PIL angle in the English courts, with recent cases having concerned issues associated with terrorism, torture, sanctions and extradition. He also offers experience of acting for foreign governments and individuals.”

“He fights exceptionally hard for his clients”

Chambers & Partners (2008)

“Combines his PIL practice with expertise in international commercial arbitration and public law, and is recommended for his “excellence” in arbitrations involving state immunity and sovereign responsibility. He regularly acts for and against foreign governments, and has appeared before the ICJ”

“One of the few arbitration barristers who has effectively bridged the gap between public international and commercial work. His stock continues to rise after having been involved in the humongous Dabhol dispute. Interviewees say he’s a barrister with phenomenal integrity who is effortlessly able to cross jurisdictions: “A terrifically forensic cross-examiner”, Qureshi’s practice extends into human rights and corruption, while he is also a well known arbitral writer and speaker”

Legal 500 (2006)

“Solicitors identify Khawar Qureshi's PIL background mixed with first-rate commercial expertise. In this respect he has won further admiration for handling cases of commercial and international law elements in their entirety. His strong domestic and international profile has won him a role as treasury counsel in the UK and advisory mandates from foreign states.”

Additional Information:

  • Vice Chairman of the Bar Council International Committee (2006-), & Chairman of its Public International Law Sub-Committee. Regular speaker on Commercial and International Law related issues (further details of papers delivered can be obtained from kmqureshi@aol.com).
  • Junior Counsel to the Crown 1999 to 2006 (appointed to A Panel in 2003 which comprises approximately 20 barristers and one of a very small number specially vetted to handle sensitive cases) UK Serious Fraud Office Panel Counsel
  • Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) accredited mediator 2004 (member of CEDR International Commission for the promotion of Settlement in International Arbitration)

Court Experience:

Has advised for and against more than 50 governments on International Arbitration, Commercial Litigation and Public International Law matters. Very extensive and regular appearances in the High Court and Court of Appeal on high profile and complex commercial/international matters. Has appeared on several occasions in the House of Lords.

Spearheaded Government of India’s defence as Counsel for India (against General Electric and Bechtel – power plant agreement) in the then world’s largest ever Investment Treaty claim of US$6 billion.

Youngest advocate ever to have appeared before the International Court of Justice in 1993 for Bosnia against Yugoslavia (Genocide case). Legal Adviser to the Bosnian Government in the Dayton Peace Talks (1995).

Presently undertaking numerous complex commercial arbitrations for and against national governments and state entities in Europe, South America, the Far East and Middle East.

Was engaged as junior counsel (being led by Her Majesty’s Attorney General) in the first ever domestic prosecution for torture (R.v. Zardad). Khawar Qureshi undertook witness/jury trial matters as well as having dealt with international convention and statute based legal issues.

Recent Publications:

  • Contributor International Tracing of Assets (FT Law & Tax Looseleaf) - Enforcement of Judgments in England and abroad
  • Co-Editor – Human Rights and Judicial Review - Case studies in Context (Butterworths) (2002 looseleaf)
  • Consultant editor and contributor to The Company Lawyer, Amicus Curiae
  • Regular contributor to the New Law Journal on issues relating to international arbitration, commercial law and Public International Law
  • Contributor DCA/DTI Guide to UK Legal Service (2005) Chapter on Commercial Dispute Resolution

Some Cases of Note (past five years) (parties represented marked by asterisk):

One to One (T Mobile)* v. Cugoo and others (Commercial Court) (Freezing Order/conspiracy to defraud/tracing claims)

TCF and Nat West Bank v Bilgin* (Commercial Court) (international sale of goods, enforcement of guarantee and worldwide freezing order issues)

Italy* v. Berlusconi & Mills (evidence gathering in England for alleged corruption proceedings in Italy)

R. on the Application of Ian Norris (House of Lords – Counsel for Home Secretary – Judicial Review and Extradition Appeal)

Middle East State entity* v. Eastern Europe State entity (LMAA shipping arbitration)

A company*y v. an African State (ICC arbitration)

Air-India* v. Caribjet (Arbitration/Aviation Wet-Lease/Commercial Court proceedings)

Re: Hitachi *(Arbitration/Commercial Court proceedings)

Faruqi* v. Commonwealth Secretariat (Arbitration/Immunity/Commercial Court proceedings)

Re UN Sanctions – (advising UK institutions on legal effect of sanctions)

Ritz Hotel v. Al-Zayat* (Freezing Order/Gambling Debt claim)

Govt. of Cameroon* v. Winslow Bank (Banking/Immunity issues)

Enemy Property Claims Assessment Panel (Advising on and settling claim documents)

Abacha v. Secretary of State for the Home Department* (“SSHD”) (Mutual legal assistance/large scale public corruption Nigerian criminal investigations and proceedings)

R. v. Evans and Lord exp. Director SFO* (Mutual legal assistance – USA criminal investigations and proceedings)

Carson v. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions* (State pension entitlement when abroad)

Jiminez v. Commissioners for Inland Revenue* (Claim for exemption from taxes asserting diplomatic immunity related privileges)

Kensington International v Congo (Commercial Court) (Advocate to the Court – Sovereign Debt agreement)

Russian Federation v Zakaev (Extradition Case)

Barnette v USA (Home Secretary intervening*) (House of Lords) (Interpretation of Articles 1 and 6 ECHR)

Kozeny v Marlwood (SFO intervening*) (Court of Appeal) (use of power of compulsion to obtain documents possessed by Solicitors for civil action party)

EFT Limited v. SFO and the Home Secretary (Divisional Court) (alleged large scale commercial fraud – challenge to seizure of documents by SFO)

R. on the Application of Bermingham, Mulgrew & Darby (“the Enron 3”) (Divisional Court) – Counsel for the Home Secretary)

Membership:

Commercial Bar Association

International Law Association

Administrative Law Bar Association

British Institute of International and Comparative Law

LCIA

Young International Arbitrators Group

M.CIArb