Mohinderpal Sethi KC

Mohinderpal is one of the country’s leading silks in High Court injunctions and speedy trials to enforce directors’ and fiduciaries’ duties, restrictive covenants, trade secrets and confidentiality, database rights, garden leave and economic torts (often involving team moves). His City clients include investment banks, private equity firms, hedge funds, inter-dealer brokers, insurance brokers, senior executives and equity partners. He is co-author with Selwyn Bloch KC of Springboard Injunctions (PLC).

• Obtained Court of Appeal team move injunctions against directors and shareholders: MIMO Connect Ltd v Buley ors [2023] EWCA Civ 909 Court of Appeal
• Represented wealth management company in multi-week speedy trial involving breaches of fidelity, confidentiality and restrictive covenants: Quilter Private Client Advisers Ltd v Falconer [2022] IRLR 227 QB.
• Contempt of court in team move litigation against former CEO: Advetec Holdings Ltd v Shaw [2020] EWHC 2660 QB.
• Team Move Injunction: Arthur J Gallagher Insurance Brokers Ltd & ors v Aston Scott Group Ltd & ors [2016] EWHC QB – resisted insurance industry team move conspiracy injunction.
• Garden leave injunction: Autoneum GB Ltd v Gilbert and HP Pelzer Holding GmbH [2016] EWHC QB – successfully obtained international garden leave and restrictive covenant injunction.
• Non-Compete Injunction: EG Solutions Ltd v Hughes and Nice Systems UK Ltd [2016] EWHC QB – resisted non-competition, confidentiality and non-inducement injunction brought by AIM listed software company.
• Springboard Injunction: Doncasters Limited v Smith & ors [2016] EWHC QB – acted for a US industrial client in successfully obtaining a springboard injunction restricting, as part of a cross-border team move conspiracy, the alleged transfer of trade secrets of military application to a foreign superpower in breach of export controls.
• Recruitment Industry Team Move: Search Consultancy Ltd v Kirk & ors [2016] EWHC Ch – springboard and client non-solicitation injunction arising from a team move.
• Breach of Director’s and Fiduciary Duties: Livingstone Holdings Ltd & ors v Allaway & ors [2016] EWHC QB – injunction to prevent breaches of fiduciary duties and team move conspiracy in the software industry.
• International Restrictive Covenants: RFIB Group Limited v Willis Bermuda Limited & ors [2015] EWHC QB – successfully obtained a cross-border non-competition and non-inducement injunction against a rival international specialist insurance and reinsurance broker arising from its recruitment in Bermuda of the President of RFIB’s Bermuda domiciled subsidiary, one of RFIB’s highest paid executives.
• Large Team Move: Spark Response Ltd v Wigham and others [2013] EWHC QB – account of profits claim arising from a 25 person team move and breaches of fiduciary duties and conspiracy.
• Anti-Strike Injunction: Balfour Beatty Engineering Services Ltd v Unite the Union [2012] EWHC 267 QB, [2012] ICR 452, [2012] IRLR 452 Eady J.
• International Team Move: BGC Capital Markets (Switzerland) LLC v Tullett Prebon plc and others [2011] EWHC 2009 QB Jack J – Injunction and multi-week High Court trial relating to high value claim for breach of international restrictive covenants, confidential information, and Wrotham Park damages under Swiss law and inducement under English law.

What independent researchers say about his injunctions practice:

• “Frequently acts for some of the biggest clients in the financial services industry. He is particularly knowledgeable about restrictive covenants and specialises in complex international business protection litigation in the context of restraint of trade and team moves.” (Chambers 2025)
• He is fantastic to work with on complex injunction matters.” (Chambers 2023)
• “An advocate with stacks of experience of handling High Court injunctions, he knows what the objectives are in a case and how to get there.” (Chambers 2021)

Mohinderpal Sethi KC is a leading silk in commercial litigation and arbitration. He has extensive experience of asset and business protection disputes in all divisions of the High Court, with a particular expertise in all forms of commercial injunctions often involving team moves and breaches of fiduciary duties.

He is Top Ranked for his international and offshore commercial practice in the Middle East including the DIFC and ADGM (Tier 1 Legal 500 EMEA), Caribbean and Channel Islands (Tier 2 Legal 500).

Mohinderpal is a member of the Commercial Bar Association and the London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association.

• Landmark leapfrog appeal to Supreme Court on meaning of ‘commercial activities’ under international law: Basfar v Wong [2023] AC 33, [2022] ICR 1255, [2022] IRLR 879 Supreme Court.
• Obtained Court of Appeal team move injunctions against directors and shareholders: MIMO Connect Ltd v Buley ors [2023] EWCA Civ 909 Court of Appeal.
• Represented wealth management company in multi-week speedy trial involving breaches of fidelity, confidentiality and restrictive covenants: Quilter Private Client Advisers Ltd v Falconer [2022] IRLR 227 QB.
• Contempt of court in team move litigation against former CEO: Advetec Holdings Ltd v Shaw [2020] EWHC 2660 QB.
• First-ever restrictive covenant and confidentiality injunction in the DIFC Courts: ED&F Man Capital Markets MENA Ltd v RJ O’Brien MENA Capital Ltd ors.

What independent researchers say about his commercial practice:

• “Superb in high-value and high-profile matters” (Chambers 2025)
• “Stands out for his top-tier work in commercial, employment, equality and partnership disputes.” (Who’s Who Legal 2019)

Top-Ranked (Band 1 Chambers UK), Mohinderpal Sethi KC is one of the country’s leading silks in all aspects of employment law and industrial relations.

In recognition of his market-leading expertise, he was awarded:

• Employment Silk of the Year (Legal 500 Bar Awards 2023),
• Senior Counsel of the Year (International Employment Lawyer Awards 2023 and 2024),
• Civil Lawyer of the Year (Asian Legal Awards 2022),
• Barrister of the Year Finalist (The Lawyer Awards 2022) and
• Employment Silk of the Year Finalist(Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022).

He is a former Chair of the UK’s Employment Law Bar Association.

Mohinderpal has substantial experience of acting for international blue-chip companies and high-profile public figures in multi-million pound whistleblowing, discrimination and bonus claims, often involving a considerable degree of market or political sensitivity. He has acted in numerous high profile employment disputes in the High Court and tribunals as well as internationally (for example, DIFC, ADGM, Caribbean and Channel Islands). He has particular expertise in cross-border employment litigation often involving complex issues of jurisdiction and conflicts of laws.

Mohinderpal is the author of several leading publications including Employment Tribunal Remedies (4th Edition, Oxford University Press) and Termination of Employment (Bloomsbury Professional). He was twice elected as the Representative of the Bar on the Management Committee for the Employment Lawyers Association and is a former Editor of ELA Briefing.

Mohinderpal is ranked in the Equal Opportunities Review of all-time IRLR appearances.

• Leading Supreme Court authority on state immunity to employment claims under public international law: The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia v Costantine [2024] Supreme Court
• Landmark leapfrog appeal to Supreme Court under international law: Basfar v Wong [2023] AC 33, [2022] ICR 1255, [2022] IRLR 879 Supreme Court.
• Landmark pro bono appeal victory for working mothers: leading case on indirect sex discrimination arising from ‘the childcare disparity’ suffered by working mothers (Dobson v North Cumbria Integrated NHS Foundation Trust [2021] IRLR 729).
• Leading case on identity of employer: offshore partnership dispute (Clark v Harney Westwood & Riegels [2021] IRLR 528).
• Brexit, State Immunity and Discrimination Law: First case to consider whether a claimant can rely on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights despite provisions of the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 which confirms the Charter is no longer part of UK law since the end of the UK-EU transition period (Fenniche v Kuwait Health Office [2021]).
• Gig economy test cases: acted for CitySprint in 5 worker status test cases concerning cycle couriers (O’Eachtiarna ors v CitySprint (UK) Ltd [2020] EAT).
• Leading case on apparent bias: race discrimination, victimisation and unjustifiable union discipline (Bhardwaj v FDA [2016] IRLR 789 Court of Appeal).
• Disciplinary Procedures: Holmes v Qinetiq Ltd [2016] IRLR 664 EAT leading authority on scope of Acas Code of Practice on disciplinary procedures.
• Large Scale Group Litigation: Humphryes & ors v Lafarge, Amey, Ringway, Balfour Beatty [2016] – appeals against the striking out of 1,000 claims and the making of a £1 million wasted costs order.
• High Profile Whistle-blowing: Uppal v Homeserve Plc [2014] Mohinderpal “successfully defended Homeserve Plc in a significant whistle-blowing claim brought by a former senior executive, alleging deliberate mis-selling by call centre staff employed by the company” (Chambers 2016).
• Border Checks Scandal: Brodie Clark v Home Office [2012] – Mohinderpal “represented the former head of the UK Border Force in his High Court and employment tribunal claims against the Home Secretary” (Chambers 2013).
• Business Protection and Social Media: Crisp v Apple Retail UK Ltd [2011] – Mohinderpal successfully protected the brand and business reputation of Apple in this high profile and commercially sensitive case involving the misuse of online social media.
• TUPE Group Litigation: Communication Workers Union v Royal Mail Group Ltd [2010] ICR 83, [2009] IRLR 1046 Court of Appeal. “Recent notable cases include CWU v RMG, a multi-million pound class action in the Court of Appeal” (Legal 500 2009).
• Illegal contracts: Blue Chip Trading Ltd v Helbawi [2009] IRLR 128
• High Profile Dismissal: ASLEF v Brady [2006] IRLR 576 Elias J – a leading authority: Mohinderpal “was successful in Aslef v Brady, otherwise known as ‘the battle of the barbecue case’ which involved the employer’s burden of proving the real reason for dismissal” (Chambers 2008).

What independent researchers say about his employment practice:

• “Superb in high-value and high-profile matters” (Chambers 2025)
• “An authority on discrimination law, as evidenced by his leadership of the Yorkshire Cricket investigation” (Chambers 2025)
• “Very robust and reliable. An excellent manner, so very suitable for difficult situations concerning troubling abuse or discrimination allegations.” (Legal 500 2024)
• “A hugely impressive barrister. Outstanding at every turn.” (Chambers)
• “A talented barrister who often appears as lead counsel in high-profile employment disputes, particularly those involving clients in the financial services. Sources applaud his clever and insightful handling of complex whistleblowing matters. He is clear-sighted on discrimination issues and clients note his clear understanding of trade union matters.” (Chambers)
• “Stands out for his top-tier work in commercial, employment, equality and partnership disputes.” (Who’s Who Legal 2019)

Mohinderpal Sethi KC is widely considered to be one of the country’s leading silks in discrimination and human rights.

He has appeared in many of the leading discrimination cases in the employment, education, goods and services and public law fields. He has extensive experience of long and complex equal pay, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief and age discrimination claims, as well as claims by part-time workers and fixed-term employees.

Mohinderpal is ranked in the Equal Opportunities Review of all-time IRLR appearances.

• Leading Supreme Court authority on state immunity to discrimination claims under public international law: The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia v Costantine [2024] Supreme Court
• Landmark leapfrog discrimination appeal to Supreme Court under international law: Basfar v Wong [2023] AC 33, [2022] ICR 1255, [2022] IRLR 879 Supreme Court.
• High profile sports investigation: appointed to chair the high-profile independent investigation into Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
• Landmark pro bono appeal victory for working mothers: leading case on indirect sex discrimination arising from ‘the childcare disparity’ suffered by working mothers (Dobson v North Cumbria Integrated NHS Foundation Trust [2021] IRLR 729).
• Brexit, State Immunity and Discrimination Law: First case to consider whether a claimant can rely on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights despite provisions of the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 which confirms the Charter is no longer part of UK law since the end of the UK-EU transition period (Fenniche v Kuwait Health Office [2021]).
• Apparent Bias and Waiver: Bhardwaj v FDA & ors [2016] IRLR 789 Court of Appeal – leading authority on the appearance of bias and the doctrine of waiver.
• International Law, Human Rights and EU Law: Al-Malki v Reyes [2014] ICR 135, [2013] IRLR 929 – Mohinderpal successfully safeguarded the national interests of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under international law. “He is singled out for his high-profile work on state and diplomatic immunity and is widely viewed as an expert on cases involving these issues” (Chambers & Partners 2015).
• Landmark Indirect Discrimination Case: Ministry of Defence v DeBique [2010] IRLR 471 – Front page headline of the Daily Mail 13 April 2010 – first and leading authority on ‘dual indirect’ discrimination.
• Landmark Compensation Appeal: Essa v Laing Ltd [2004] ICR 746, [2003] IRLR 346 Court of Appeal. Leading authority on causation and foreseeability of loss.
• High profile discrimination: Virdi v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2007] IRLR 24 (ET, EAT and Court of Appeal) – Mohinderpal “appeared in a number of high-profile cases over the past year, including representing Detective Sergeant Virdi in his successful victimisation claims against the Police Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair” (Chambers & Partners 2009).

What independent researchers say about his equality and human rights practice:

• “Superb in high-value and high-profile matters” (Chambers 2025)
• “An authority on discrimination law, as evidenced by his leadership of the Yorkshire Cricket investigation.” (Chambers 2025)
• “Very robust and reliable. An excellent manner, so very suitable for difficult situations concerning troubling abuse or discrimination allegations.” (Legal 500 2024)
• “He works extensively with a range of clients, from major corporations to high net worth individuals, and is skilled at handling discrimination disputes in particular” (Chambers)

Top-Ranked (Tier 1 Legal 500), Mohinderpal Sethi KC is one of the country’s leading silks in all aspects of partnership and LLP disputes.

He has extensive experience and expertise in disputes regarding partnership and LLP agreements, restrictive covenants and confidentiality, joining and leaving (including team moves), whistleblowing, discrimination, capital contributions, exclusions, termination, retirement provisions, and profit share.

His experience spans a wide range of professional and financial services sectors including hedge funds, lawyers, accountants, surveyors, architects, patent agents, dentists, doctors and limited partnerships. He has advised on the merger of professional firms and the conversion of traditional partnerships into LLPs.

He regularly represents both partnerships/LLPs as well as individuals or teams of partners/LLP members. This experience enables him to not only bring a balanced understanding of often highly charged matters involving career and reputational risk, but also enables him to anticipate the likely response to any issue. Much of his work in this area is highly sensitive and resolved confidentially. He has recently been involved in a number of very high level equity partner exits from ‘magic circle’ law firms in the City.

Mohinderpal is a member of the Association of Partnership Practitioners.

• Leading case on identity of employer: offshore partnership dispute (Clark v Harney Westwood & Riegels [2021] IRLR 528). “Acted in cross-border partnership litigation, defending claims in the UK brought by a senior partner under Cayman Islands partnership law against the global equity partners of an offshore magic circle firm.” (Chambers & Partners 2022)
• LLP Restrictive Covenants: Miller 2015 Ltd v Clarkson [2016] EWHC Ch – injunction to prevent breach of LLP Agreement in the insurance industry.
• LLP Restrictive Covenants: Re X LLP [2015] – advising leading City solicitors’ firm on conversion to LLP and enforceability of restrictive covenants and confidentiality
• Partnership Arbitration: X v Y [2014] – acting in a large arbitration concerning departing members of a finance partnership
• Partnership Team Move: X LLP v Y and others [2014] EWHC (QB) – very high value team move claim involving equity and salaried members of a LLP in the financial services sector
• Partnership Discrimination: Giscombe v Griffins [2014] ET, EAT & Court of Appeal – complex multi-week discrimination trial involving insolvency partners
• Whistleblowing in LLP: X v Y LLP [2014] – acting for a leading firm of accountants in resisting seven figure whistleblowing claims
• High Value Breach of LLP Agreement: X v Y LLP [2013] EWHC QB – rights of senior equity partners in large US law firm. Extremely high value and sensitive claim settled on confidential terms

What independent researchers say about his equality and human rights practice:

• “He provides substantial experience in partnership disputes arising from team moves, discrimination claims and whistleblowing. He is also notable for his experience in the enforcement of restrictive covenants, representing both firms and individuals. He is very highly rated by partnership solicitors. He has an incisive legal mind: he simplifies problems and explains them clearly. Partnership clients love him for it.” (Chambers 2022)
• “Acted in cross-border partnership litigation, defending claims in the UK brought by a senior partner under Cayman Islands partnership law against the global equity partners of an offshore magic circle firm.” (Chambers 2022)

Mohinderpal Sethi KC is Co-Head of the Middle East group. He is a Top-Ranked (Tier 1 Legal 500 EMEA) Leading Silk for Middle East commercial litigation and arbitration (Legal 500 EMEA 2024). He stands out as the only ranked silk by Chambers Global 2024 for Employment DIFC & ADGM Litigation. In recognition of his recent work in the Middle East, he was awarded:

• Senior Counsel of the Year at the International Employment Lawyer Awards 2023 and 2024
• Employment Silk of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2023.

His Middle East expertise spans the full range of commercial, employment, partnership and sport litigation and arbitration.

Recent appearances include many groundbreaking cases:

• Defended global bank in first-ever discrimination, victimisation and whistleblowing trial in the DIFC Courts: Mahmood v Standard Chartered Bank [2024] DIFC CFI 044/2021
• Ultra-high value claim: Defended a global steel and mining business against ultra-high value claims (USD 40 million) brought by its former CEO (Kahlon v Liberty Steel Group Ltd).
• Major team move litigation: Extremely high value (USD 8 figures) commercial offshore claim for interim relief and damages arising from an unlawful 10-person team move conspiracy in the cryptocurrency industry (Zeniq Technologies Ltd v Ramziq Technologies Ltd ors).
• First-ever whistleblowing trial: First-ever whistleblowing claim to reach trial in the DIFC courts under the new Employment Law (Lawal v Commerzbank AG (DIFC Branch)).
• Major team move dispute: Large scale team move involving over two dozen financial services professionals moving from a DIFC entity to a rival Abu Dhabi entity.
• First-ever employee competition injunction: First-ever restrictive covenant and confidentiality injunction in the DIFC (ED&F Man Capital Markets MENA Ltd v RJ O’Brien MENA Capital Ltd anor)

What independent researchers say about his Middle East practice:

• “A phenomenal barrister: intelligent and never fazed by any issue. He is someone who thinks very quickly on his feet and can navigate complex matters with extraordinary precision and calmness.” (Legal 500 Caribbean 2025)
• “He is a tremendous barrister, both in an advisory capacity and on his feet in the court room. He quickly understands the issues and dissects complex matters with nonchalant ease. He is smart, detail-orientated and pugnacious.” (Legal 500 EMEA 2023)
• “Mohinderpal Sethi KC is practical, makes things easy to understand, is well organised and clients absolutely love him. He is quick in deciphering key issues and suggesting a plan of action.” (Chambers Global 2023)
• “Mohinderpal is an absolute genius at work and an expert in his field. He has the ability to shift through jargon and explain the situation in plain English.” (Chambers Global 2023)
• “If I need a KC, it would be him.” (Chambers Global 2023)
• “He is exceptional.” (Chambers Global 2022)
• “He is excellent.” (Chambers Global 2022)
• “A go-to employment barrister – he exudes confidence and is extremely knowledgeable.” (Legal 500 EMEA 2021)
• “Mohinderpal Sethi KC’s workload has included a number of highly sensitive cases concerning the free zone’s most prestigious financial and professional services firms.” (Legal 500 EMEA 2021)
• “Commentators note his expertise in restrictive covenant work, further mentioning that“he’s fantastic with clients and he’s able to explain things to them in an easy manner.” (Chambers Global 2021)
• “Equally charming and ferocious, he is impressive on his feet.” (Legal 500 EMEA 2020)
• Mohinderpal Sethi KC is a significant player when it comes to litigious employment issues in the UAE. He is prominent in the DIFC courts, and sources speak highly of their experiences of working with him, with one mentioning: “He is fantastic. If people have knotty DIFC matters he is the go-to.” One commentator enthused that “he is excellent, very well prepared and a very effective advocate.” (Chambers Global 2020)

Mohinderpal Sethi KC’s international and offshore expertise in the Middle East, Caribbean and Channel Islands spans the full range of commercial, employment, partnership and sport litigation and arbitration. He is a Top-Ranked (Tier 1 Legal 500 EMEA) Leading Silk in commercial dispute resolution (Legal 500 EMEA).

“He frequently acts for some of the biggest clients in the financial services industry. He is particularly knowledgeable about restrictive covenants and specialises in complex international business protection litigation in the context of restraint of trade and team moves.” (Chambers 2025)

In recognition of his market-leading international work, he won:

• Senior Counsel of the Year (International Employment Lawyer Awards 2023 and 2024);
• Employment Silk of the Year (Legal 500 Bar Awards 2023); and
• Civil Lawyer of the Year (Asian Legal Awards 2022).

International law

• Leading Supreme Court authority on state immunity to employment claims under public international law: The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia v Costantine [2024] Supreme Court
• Supreme Court leapfrog appeal: Led a team of barristers in the UK Supreme Court in defence of ground-breaking claims brought against a senior diplomat of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The only-ever case to be granted permission to ‘leapfrog’ appeal directly from the EAT to the Supreme Court. In a ‘world-first’, it is the leading case on the scope of diplomatic immunity and the meaning of commercial activities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The landmark judgment provides guidance on wide-ranging matters of public international law, international human rights and modern slavery under the Palermo Protocol (Basfar v Wong [2023] AC 33 (SC), [2022] ICR 1255 (SC)).
• Retained EU law: Appeared for Kuwait in the first-ever case post-Brexit to consider the impact of the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights no longer being part of UK law and the impact of the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 on general principles of EU law governing international human rights (Fenniche v Kuwait).
• Diplomatic immunity against employment claims: Public international law, international human rights and EU law (Al-Malki v Reyes[2014] ICR 135, [2013] IRLR 929).

Middle East including DIFC & ADGM

Mohinderpal Sethi KC is a Top-Ranked (Tier 1) Silk for Middle East commercial litigation and arbitration (Legal 500 EMEA). He also stands out as the only ranked silk by Chambers Global 2024 for Employment DIFC & ADGM Litigation. He is Co-Head of the Middle East Group.

Recent appearances include many groundbreaking cases:

• Defended global bank in first-ever discrimination, victimisation and whistleblowing trial in the DIFC Courts: Mahmood v Standard Chartered Bank [2024] DIFC CFI 044/2021
• Ultra-high value claim: Defended a global steel and mining business against ultra-high value claims (USD 40 million) brought by its former CEO (Kahlon v Liberty Steel Group Ltd).
• Major team move litigation: Extremely high value (USD 8 figures) commercial offshore claim for interim relief and damages arising from an unlawful 10-person team move conspiracy in the cryptocurrency industry (Zeniq Technologies Ltd v Ramziq Technologies Ltd & 8 ors).
• First-ever whistleblowing trial: First-ever whistleblowing claim to reach trial in the DIFC courts under the new Employment Law (Lawal v Commerzbank AG (DIFC Branch)).
• Major team move dispute: Large scale team move involving over two dozen financial services professionals moving from a DIFC entity to a rival Abu Dhabi entity.
• First-ever employee competition injunction: First-ever restrictive covenant and confidentiality injunction in the DIFC (ED&F Man Capital Markets MENA Ltd v RJ O’Brien MENA Capital Ltd anor)

Caribbean

Mohinderpal is highly ranked (Tier 2) in The English Bar Offshore (Legal 500 Caribbean). He has acted in numerous commercial, employment and partnership disputes in the Caribbean including under BVI, Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Turks & Caicos law.

• Cayman Islands offshore partnership dispute: Successfully defended complex claims under Cayman Islands Law against offshore magic circle law firm (Clark v Harney Westwood & Riegels [2021] IRLR 528).

Channel Islands

• Injunction under Guernsey law: Entrusted by a leading Channel Islands firm of advocates in the first-ever non-competition and confidentiality injunction under Guernsey law against an advocate and rival offshore law firm.

Marshall Islands

• Directors’ duties under Marshall Islands law: High value Commercial Court trial concerning fiduciary duties of company director in the shipping industry under the law of the Marshall Islands (Seahorn Sarl v Navios Corporation anor).

What independent researchers say about his international and offshore practice:

• “A phenomenal barrister: intelligent and never fazed by any issue. He is someone who thinks very quickly on his feet and can navigate complex matters with extraordinary precision and calmness.” (Legal 500 Caribbean 2025)
• “I’m not sure there is any other person in the UK that has the specialist knowledge of state and diplomatic immunity matters that Mo Sethi KC has.” (Chambers 2025)
• “He represented the defendants in Kahlon v Liberty Steel Group Ltd, a significant case before the DIFC Court of Appeal in which a damages claim in excess of $32 million was brought by the company’s former CEO.” (Legal 500 EMEA 2024)
• “He appeared in the first ever restrictive covenant and confidentiality injunction in the DIFC” (Legal 500 EMEA 2023)
• “He is exceptional and excellent.” (Chambers Global 2022)
• “He is a tremendous barrister, both in an advisory capacity and on his feet in the court room. He quickly understands the issues and dissects complex matters with nonchalant ease. He is smart, detail-orientated and pugnacious.” (Legal 500 EMEA 2023)
• “Mohinderpal Sethi KC is practical, makes things easy to understand, is well organised and clients absolutely love him. He is quick in deciphering key issues and suggesting a plan of action.” (Chambers Global 2023)
• “Mohinderpal is an absolute genius at work and an expert in his field. He has the ability to shift through jargon and explain the situation in plain English.” (Chambers Global 2023)
• “If I need a KC, it would be him.” (Chambers Global 2023)
• “He is exceptional.” (Chambers Global 2022)
• “He is excellent.“ (Chambers Global 2022)
• “A go-to employment barrister – he exudes confidence and is extremely knowledgeable.” (Legal 500 EMEA 2021)
• “Mohinderpal Sethi KC’s workload has included a number of highly sensitive cases concerning the free zone’s most prestigious financial and professional services firms.” (Legal 500 EMEA 2021)
• “Commentators note his expertise in restrictive covenant work, further mentioning that“he’s fantastic with clients and he’s able to explain things to them in an easy manner.” (Chambers Global 2021)
• “Equally charming and ferocious, he is impressive on his feet.” (Legal 500 EMEA 2020)
• Mohinderpal Sethi KC is a significant player when it comes to litigious employment issues in the UAE. He is prominent in the DIFC courts, and sources speak highly of their experiences of working with him, with one mentioning: “He is fantastic. If people have knotty DIFC matters he is the go-to.” One commentator enthused that “he is excellent, very well prepared and a very effective advocate.” (Chambers Global 2020)

 Related publications and training

Mohinderpal was invited to speak at the following international law events:

• European Employment Lawyers Association Annual Conference 2024 in Reykjavik, Iceland.
• International Forum of Senior Executive Advisers Annual Conference 2024 in London, UK.
• 22KCs on the Hot Employment Law Topics 2024-25 on the topic of International Employment Law

Mohinderpal’s expertise in sports law encompasses the full range of contractual, employment and regulatory disputes. He has extensive experience in leading independent investigations and chairing reviews at the highest levels of various elite sports.

Recent work includes:

• Sethi Investigation into Yorkshire County Cricket Club – appointed to conduct independent investigation into widely publicised allegations of discrimination at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
• Sethi Investigation into British Gymnastics – Mohinderpal was instructed by British Gymnastics to undertake an independent investigation into complaints of abuse brought by former Olympians against the British Women’s Head National Coach.

What independent researchers say about his international and offshore practice:

• “Deftly handling the most difficult of clients, Mo is persuasive and extremely bright. A go-to for tricksy matters: those that call for someone eminent, but who is also personable” (Legal 500 2025)
• “Mohinderpal Sethi KC s a highly accomplished employment law barrister called upon by clients to conduct high-profile and sensitive investigations. Most notably, he led the investigation into racism allegations at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.” (Chambers 2025)
• “Very robust and reliable. An excellent manner, so very suitable for difficult situations concerning troubling abuse or discrimination allegations.” (Legal 500 2024)

Top Ranked (Spotlight Chambers 2025), Mohinderpal has extensive experience in leading independent investigations and chairing reviews into high-profile allegations of wrongdoing, particularly in the fields of financial services, media, entertainment, sports and employment generally.

He is routinely instructed by leading FTSE 100 blue chip companies to conduct commercially sensitive independent investigations.

Recent work includes:

• Independent Inquiry into anti-semitism – appointed to Chair the Independent Inquiry into anti-semitism at Goldsmiths College, University of London
• Sethi Investigation into Yorkshire County Cricket Club – appointed to conduct independent investigation into widely publicised allegations of discrimination at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
• Sethi Investigation into British Gymnastics – Mohinderpal was instructed by British Gymnastics to undertake an independent investigation into complaints of abuse brought by former Olympians against the British Women’s Head National Coach.
• Confidential disciplinary investigation concerning senior members of Oxbridge colleges.

What independent researchers say about his equality and human rights practice:

• “A highly accomplished employment law barrister who is called upon by clients to conduct high-profile and sensitive investigations. Most notably, he led the investigation into racism allegations at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.” (Chambers 2025)
• “Very robust and reliable. An excellent manner, so very suitable for difficult situations concerning troubling abuse or discrimination allegations.” (Legal 500 2024)

Mohinderpal is experienced in advising on and appearing before a wide range of regulatory and professional disciplinary bodies, particularly those concerned with financial services, media, entertainment and sport. He has particular expertise in advising on matters arising from the Libor and FX rate rigging scandals, US sanctions, mortgage-backed securities and the disciplinary and enforcement powers of the FCA. He has been entrusted to conduct a number of high level internal disciplinary and grievance investigations for various FTSE and S&P companies.

Mohinderpal is a member of the Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers.

• Landmark appeal: Heath v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2005] ICR 329, [2005] IRLR 270 Court of Appeal – the leading authority on the absolute immunity from suit of quasi-judicial disciplinary bodies regulated by statute.

What independent researchers say about his regulatory and professional discipline practice:

• “Deftly handling the most difficult of clients, Mo is persuasive and extremely bright. A go-to for tricksy matters: those that call for someone eminent, but who is also personable” (Legal 500 2025)
• “Very robust and reliable. An excellent manner, so very suitable for difficult situations concerning troubling abuse or discrimination allegations.” (Legal 500 2024)

Education

• MA (Oxon) Jurisprudence (Wadham College, University of Oxford)
• Langdon Comprehensive School, East Ham, London Borough of Newham

Awards, Scholarships & Prizes

• Employment Silk of the Year Winner (Legal 500 Bar Awards 2023)
• Senior Counsel of the Year Winner (International Employment Lawyer Awards 2023 and 2024)
• Civil Lawyer of the Year Winner (Asian Legal Awards 2022)
• Barrister of the Year Finalist (The Lawyer Awards 2022)
• Employment Silk of the Year Finalist (Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022)
• Employment Junior of the Year Finalist (Chambers UK Bar Awards 2016)
• The Queen Mother’s Scholar (The premier Middle Temple scholarship)
• The Malcolm Wright Prizewinner (Middle Temple)
• Harmsworth Major Entrance Exhibitioner (Middle Temple)
• Wadham College First Class Scholar (University of Oxford)

Publications

• Author of Employment Tribunal Remedies (Oxford University Press, 4th Edition)
• Editorial Board Member of ELA Briefing (the journal of the Employment Lawyers’ Association)
• Co-author of Termination of Employment (Bloomsbury Publishing)
• Contributing author for Practical Law

Appointments

• Master of the Bench of The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
• Former Chair of the Employment Law Bar Association
• Head of the Middle East Group
• Former Head of the Employment Team
• Counsel to the Crown (A Panel)
• Registered Practitioner with full rights of audience in the DIFC Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal
• Equality & Human Rights Commission Panel of Preferred Counsel
• Former Elected Representative of the Bar for the Employment Lawyers’ Association
• Former Judicial Assistant to senior New York State Supreme Court Justices (Civil Branch)

Memberships

• Commercial Law Bar Association
• Employment Law Bar Association
• Employment Lawyers’ Association
• European Employment Lawyers’ Association
• Industrial Law Society
• Association of Partnership Practitioners
• Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers