Omar Qureshi

Omar Qureshi is a partner in the firm's dispute resolution team.   

Omar advises on all aspects of disputes and litigation risks issues, including domestic and international litigation and arbitration under various rules and regimes. He specialises in complex commercial contract disputes, often involving allegations of fraud.

Omar advises clients across a variety of industries, in particular financial services (including banks, market-makers and fund managers) and energy clients, in relation to contractual rights and litigation risk issues. He is recognised in the Global Arbitration Review for arbitration.

Recent feedback from Financial Services client: 'Omar has a rapid ability to understand our commercial mindset on each matter', and 'His attention to detail and presentation are exceptional'.

Omar is a member of the Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association, the Fraud Advisory Panel, LCIA, YIAG, and ICC, including UK Committees of the Commissions on Commercial Law, Arbitration and Energy & Environment.

Relevant experience includes advising:

Fraud

• Fiona Trust & Holding Co & ors v Yuri Privalov & ors/Intrigue Shipping Inc & ors v H Clarkson & ors - defending claims brought by Russian state shipping companies in Commercial Court 'super-case' based on bribery, fraud, negligence and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with ship-broking transactions
• An Eastern European steel manufacturer resisting claims in ICC arbitration brought by a UK trader under a contract (and approximately 300 separate sub-contracts) for the supply/sale of raw materials and steel products, including allegations of fraud (against both parties and their managers, various banking institutions and a foreign state), breach of export controls and bribery
• A European product manufacturer concerning threatened proceedings, involving claims regarding fraudulent applications for state subsidies and allegations of accessory liability for fraudulent breach of fiduciary duty. The matter also involved liaising with the Serious Fraud Office and relevant police authorities
• An online marketmaker on remedies for breach of an undertaking given in enforcement proceedings and pursuing contempt of court application  
• Owners of a landmark hotel in High Court proceedings concerning the historical misappropriation of customer deposits by previous owners/managers

Financial disputes/ Litigation

• A European bank on liability over the alleged breach of a sub-manager agreement arising from investments by the bank's investment vehicle in US long-short equity funds made in possible breach of local regulatory requirements
• A Corporate Finance Adviser on terms of a bespoke NomAd Agreement and  “option” provisions entitling NomAd to act as adviser on any subsequent transaction
• Bouverie No. 1 Limited v De Vere Hotels & Leisure Ltd, the owners of The Belfry, in proceedings concerning the breach of a hotel management agreement in respect of rebranding proposals by De Vere
• A Russian telecoms company in a corporate dispute with a Russian mobile operator (listed in London and New York) over the ownership and sale of shares in a joint venture entity
• Shareholders in a dispute concerning the occurrence of compensation trigger events for preference shareholders
• A gas pipeline owner concerning notification by the Facility Agent under a syndicated loan of a market disruption event, following lender’s inability to raise matching deposits at LIBOR
• A European bank on rights to withdraw 'irrevocable' offer to purchase another bank and exit negotiation process, following market downturn making the deal unattractive
• A leading independent private bank in respect of termination rights for material and other breaches of a contract for the provision of hosted voice call recording services/ telephone banking services
• A property fund regarding a dispute relating to the development of, and licensing approvals regarding, a commercial site in a European airport complex, including advising on settlement issues and defamation allegations

Arbitration

• A Property fund in disputes governed by ICC arbitration concerning breach of a share purchase agreement for a staged purchase of SPV commercial property-holding companies in Eastern Europe, also involving allegations of breaches of ancillary agreements and procuring a breach of contract
• Gas pipeline JV on various disputes (including liquidated damages and performance bond issues) arising under an EPC turnkey contract for the delivery of two sub-sea gas pipelines
• An international offshore oil services company in LCIA arbitration concerning an alleged breach of a teaming agreement relating to the supply of steel catenary risers
• An international oil company in an LCIA arbitration brought by a Norwegian charter company concerning an alleged breach of contract relating to the hire and damage of a drill ship
• An international oil company in an arbitration commenced under the Norwegian Law on Arbitration against a provider of engineering and constructions services, in respect of alleged breaches of an EPCIC contract for the delivery of a fixed offshore oil platform 
• A commercial real estate broker in an LCIA arbitration proceedings against the Russian arm of an international real estate broking company concerning commissions due under, and the proper interpretation of, a Commission Agreement
• Dardana Ltd v Yukos Oil Company, enforcing a Swedish arbitration award in the UK against Yukos for debts owed under a contract for oil exploration services

Education:

1995, Magdalen College, Oxford, BA Hons in Philosophy, Politics & Economics. 1998, College of Law, London, Diploma in Law, LPC. 2008, College of Law, London, Academic and advocacy assessment for higher rights of audience.

Education