Asfandyar Qureshi

Asfandyar has quickly established himself as a “go-to” early junior for commercial dispute resolution, particularly in matters with an international element. Highlights include:

• Acting for a Russian energy company in LCIA proceedings on a c.$150m dispute with a major investment bank, arising out of a disputed loan (with Rupert D’Cruz KC).
• Acting in relation to the dispute about the sale of 60 Sloane Avenue to the Vatican’s Secretariat of State of the Holy See (with Charles Samek KC): Athena Capital v Secretariat of State of the Holy See.
• Acting for a steel company in a DIFC jurisdiction challenge on a c.$35 million dispute (with Mohinderpal Sethi KC): Paramjit Kahlon v Liberty Steel Group Ltd.
• Acting for a Swiss consultancy company in its dispute with an offshore shipping company arising out of alleged breaches of contract and directors’ duties (with Mohinderpal Sethi KC): Seahorn Sarl v Navios Corporation.
• Assisting in the representation of an international businessman in litigation across multiple jurisdictions arising out of the alleged “1MDB” fraud, involving several billions of USD in controversy.
• Acting for a litigation funder in claims of breach of contract, breach of trust, conspiracy and fraud arising out of construction disputes in Bahrain and Hong Kong.
• Acting for a solicitor’s firm in a dispute involving allegations of fraud and insolvency.
• Acting for a provider of domestic appliance extended warranty plans in proceedings concerning allegations of breach of contract and professional negligence.
• Acting for a provider of linen goods and services in a dispute with a hotel concerning allegations of breach of contract.

Asfandyar has a burgeoning commercial-employment crossover practice, having been instructed on several business protection, directors’ disputes and partnership matters. Highlights include:

• Acting for a senior trader in High Court proceedings on a restrictive covenant and bonus dispute arising out of his move between rival hedge funds (with Niran de Silva KC): Jump Trading International Ltd v (1) Damien Couture (2) Verition Advisors (UK Partners) LLP.
• Advising on the drafting of a settlement agreement between two management consultancy firms on an 8-figure USD dispute involving team move and bonus issues across multiple western and Middle Eastern jurisdictions (with James Bickford Smith).
• Advising on the settlement of a c.£3.5m partnership dispute between real estate investors following the insolvency of one of the partners.
• Acting for a private clinic seeking injunctions to prevent breaches of restrictive covenants.

Asfandyar has experience through the full range of statutory employment and has appeared before the Employment Tribunal on numerous occasions, including in matters involving: direct and indirect discrimination, equal pay, unfair dismissal, harassment, victimisation, failure to make reasonable adjustments, whistleblowing, employment status issues and specific disclosure.

Asfandyar is an avid sports fan and welcomes instruction in sports law. As a pupil, Asfandyar assisted in the commencement of an arbitration on behalf of an EFL Championship club contesting sanctions placed on it by footballing authorities.

Education

2012-15: BA (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at University of Oxford: First Class

2016-17: Graduate Diploma in Law at City, University of London: Distinction (First Class equivalent)

2017-18: MPhil in Philosophy of Religion at University of Cambridge: 74 (First Class equivalent)

2019-20: Bar Professional Training Course at City, University of London: Very Competent

Scholarships and Prizes

2015: Fitzgerald Prize, Exeter College, University of Oxford: awarded for performance in Final examinations

2017-18: Hartwell Studentship, University of Cambridge: full scholarship for MPhil degree

2018-19: Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn

2018-19: BPTC Scholarship, City, University of London

2019: Won the Oxford International Intellectual Property Moot (and the prize for Best Written Submissions), mooting in front of Lord Kitchin, Lord Justice Floyd and Mr Justice Carr in the Grand Final