Contact details

T: +44 20 7809 2301 M: +44 7958 272 742 Email Kamal | vCard Office: London

Awards

International arbitration

Dispute resolution

Kamal Shah Partner

Contact details

Kamal Shah
Partner

T: +44 20 7809 2301 M: +44 7958 272 742 Email Kamal | vCard Office: London

Kamal is the head of Stephenson Harwood's Africa and India groups. He specialises in complex, cross-border international arbitration, litigation and fraud and asset recovery. Kamal is highly regarded by his peers and clients in his abilities in multi-jurisdictional disputes.

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Kamal acts for governments, government entities, banks, private corporations and high net worth individuals in a range of matters including those relating to projects and infrastructure, joint ventures, banking and finance, shareholder arrangements, energy and a range of schemes commonly used to defraud individuals and corporations.

Kamal is highly ranked in the legal directories including The Legal 500 UK, Chambers (UK, global and Asia Pacific) and IFLR1000. “Kamal Shah is highly experienced in Africa and India-related arbitrations” (Chambers UK 2020, international arbitration) and “he understands the continent” (Chambers Global 2019, Dispute resolution Africa-wide). He was named as a leading international arbitration practitioner in "Who's Who Legal: Future Leaders 2017 - 2020" and has been recognised in Africa’s 30 Arbitration Powerlist 2020 and The Legal 500's Powerlists for arbitration and Africa for 2019. In addition to being a LCIA Court Member, Kamal is currently the president of the LCIA African Users Council. He has also been listed in India Business Law Journal's top 100 international lawyers for India-related matters. The Legal 500 UK 2021 notes that "Kamal Shah stands out as the most outstanding personality at Stephenson Harwood. His demeanour and responses are always insightful and full of solution thinking and that makes him a leader."

Kamal co-published the text of the ‘African Promise’, which seeks to tackle the under-representation of Africans on international arbitration tribunals. He is also the co-author of the leading text "Arbitration in Africa: A Review of Key Jurisdictions".

"Kamal Shah is the lead partner in international arbitration. Excellent contacts and very good judgement in conducting matters. Always goes the extra mile."

The Legal 500 UK 2021

International arbitration
Commercial litigation
Dispute resolution
Fraud and asset recovery
Finance litigation

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Advising the Government resisting the enforcement of a US$700 million plus arbitration award in England, with multiple proceedings afoot in France and the US.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

Advising Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on defending the enforcement of a US$400 million plus Nigerian arbitral award in England. The ground-breaking 14-year dispute with projects company, IPCO (Nigeria) Ltd, concluded following referral to the Supreme Court. This is a leading case in England and indeed worldwide on the enforcement of New York Convention arbitration awards. There have been several reported judgements of the English Courts: [2017] UKSC 16 ; [2015] EWCA Civ 1145 ; [2015] EWCA Civ 1144 ; [2014] EWHC 576 (Comm); [2008] EWCA Civ 1157; [2008] EWHC 797 (Comm); [2005] EWHC 726 (Comm). In recognition of the success, the team was awarded the prestigious 'Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team of the Year' prize at Legal Week's The British Legal Awards in November 2018.

Large East African conglomerate

Advising one of the largest groups in Africa in a London-seated ICC arbitration relating to a shareholders’ agreement with respect to an investment in an African bank.

Enforcement of ICC award

Advising Dowans Holdings SA and Dowans Tanzania Ltd in relation to the enforcement in England of a US$80 million ICC award against the State Electricity Company of Tanzania, [2011] EWHC 1957 (Comm).

Kenya and Uganda railways privatisation

Acting in several LCIA arbitrations relating to a consortium which won the concession of privatising the railways of Kenya and Uganda. Subsequently advising two respondents in relation to challenges to the award.

Federal Republic of Nigeria, enforcement of arbitral award

Advised the Federal Republic of Nigeria in respect of the enforcement of a US$20 million arbitral award against it.

Government of India

Advising the government of India in a US$4 billion energy arbitration.

Development of a city in Kenya

Acted in an arbitration and related litigation arising out of the joint venture to acquire land close to Nairobi, Kenya, to create a USD 5 billion development known as "Tatu City".

US$8 billion award challenge

Acting for a West African sovereign state in English High Court proceedings to challenge a US$8.6 billion arbitration award concerning the supply of gas.

More: International arbitration

High net worth family

Advising members of a wealthy and prominent East African family on a claim brought by another family member for a share of the family's offshore wealth.

Saudi Sheikh

Advising a Saudi Sheikh in relation to a significant fraud amounting to US$16 million carried out against him by a former Prime Minister of an East African country and other individuals.

Shareholder dispute

Advising one of six defendants and a significant shareholder in a dispute in the English courts resulting in a five week trial, [2008] EWHC 1034 (Ch).

Managing international litigation and international advice

Managing and supervising overseas litigation for clients and liaising with local lawyers. Providing litigation advice on a range of international legal issues with regards to international companies, governments and individuals.

More: Commercial litigation

High net worth family

Advising members of a wealthy and prominent East African family on a claim brought by another family member for a share of the family's offshore wealth.

Saudi Sheikh

Advising a Saudi Sheikh in relation to a significant fraud amounting to US$16 million carried out against him by a former Prime Minister of an East African country and other individuals.

Managing international litigation and international advice

Shareholder dispute

Advising one of six defendants and a significant shareholder in a dispute in the English courts resulting in a five week trial, [2008] EWHC 1034 (Ch).

Two of the largest commercial banks in Nigeria

Advising in relation to obtaining the worldwide freezing orders, disclosure orders and search orders against Nigerian individuals in support of legal proceedings in Nigeria for default of loans to the banks valued at tens of US$ millions.

Fraud investigations

Advising several oil companies in relation to internal and external investigations relating to bribery and corruption allegations.

East African Ports Authority

Advising a Ports Authority in relation to a dispute arising out of a dredging contract.

East African conglomerate

Advising in relation to a banking fraud conducted on the Group.

East African conglomerate

Advising in relation to corporate espionage and online defamatory statements.

More: Dispute resolution

Arab Republic of Egypt

Advising in relation to the tracing assets of up to several US$ billion misappropriated by the Hosni Mubarak regime. This is reportedly one of the largest mismanagement case of public funds.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

Saudi Sheikh

Advising a Saudi Sheikh in relation to a significant fraud amounting to US$16 million carried out against him by a former Prime Minister of an East African country and other individuals.

Two of the largest commercial banks in Nigeria

Fraud investigations

Advising several oil companies in relation to internal and external investigations relating to bribery and corruption allegations.

More: Fraud and asset recovery

Nigerian banks

Advising several leading Nigerian banks in relation to significant loan defaults by ultra-high net worth individuals; advising on commencing actions in England in support of local Court proceedings in Nigeria.

Leading Nigerian bank

Advising a leading Nigerian Bank to pursue in England and Nigeria the borrower and his companies in relation to a US$100 million loan default.

Indian banks

Advising various banks on a range of issues.

Mauritian banks

Advising various banks on a range of issues.

More: Finance litigation

Banks and banking
Government and public sector
Energy and natural resources

Nigerian banks

Leading Nigerian bank

Advising a leading Nigerian Bank to pursue in England and Nigeria the borrower and his companies in relation to a US$100 million loan default.

Indian banks

Advising various banks on a range of issues.

Mauritian banks

Advising various banks on a range of issues.

More: Banks and banking

Arab Republic of Egypt

Advising in relation to the tracing assets of up to several US$ billion misappropriated by the Hosni Mubarak regime. This is reportedly one of the largest mismanagement case of public funds.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

Federal Republic of Nigeria

Successfully advising the Federal Republic of Nigeria in respect of the enforcement of a US$20 million arbitral award against it.

Government of India

Advising the government of India in a US$4 billion energy arbitration.

Representation of various governments

Represented a number of governments including Nigeria, Egypt, India, Lesotho, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Venezuela, as well as state corporations from Nigeria, Kenya and China. Advising on a range of issues including international arbitration, litigation in England and abroad, fraud and asset recovery, public international law, legal and judicial review, constitutional and election issues.

More: Government and public sector

Government of India

Advising the government of India in a US$4 billion energy arbitration.

Multi-jurisdictional African gas company

Advising the project company operating a gas pipeline running through several African countries on shareholder disputes.

Nigerian energy services company

Advising on of Nigeria's largest domestic energy services company on various disputes with its joint venture partners and software providers.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

More: Energy and natural resources

Africa
India

Hotel Group

Advising a large hotel group in respect of a dispute with an African Government.

Arab Republic of Egypt

Advising in relation to the tracing of over US$ billion in misappropriated assets by the Hosni Mubarak regime. This is reportedly the largest mismanagement case of public funds.

Saudi Sheikh

Advising a Saudi Sheikh in relation to a fraud amounting to US$16 million carried out against him by a former Prime Minister of an African country and other individuals.

Nigerian banks

Advising several leading Nigerian banks in relation to loan defaults by ultra-high net worth individuals.

Representation of various governments

Represented a number of governments including Nigeria, Egypt, Lesotho, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda as well as state corporations from Nigeria. Advising on a range of issues including; international arbitration, litigation in England and abroad, fraud and asset recovery, public international law, legal and judicial review, constitutional and election issues.

Enforcement of ICC award

Advising Dowans Holdings SA and Dowans Tanzania Ltd in relation to the enforcement of a US$80 million ICC award against the state electricity company of Tanzania.

Hotel dispute

Advising in respect of a shareholder dispute relating to the ownership and operation of a hotel in an East African country.

East African family

Advising members of a wealthy and prominent East African family on a claim brought by another family member for a share of the family's offshore wealth.

Shareholders of the privatised Kenyan and Ugandan railways

Acting for two shareholders in several LCIA arbitrations arising out of the consortium which won the concession of the privatised Kenya and Uganda railways.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

Federal Republic of Nigeria

Successfully advising the Federal Republic of Nigeria in respect of the enforcement of a US$20 million arbitral award against it.

More: Africa

Government of India

Advising the government of India in a US$4 billion energy arbitration.

Indian banks

Advising various banks on dispute resolution provisions; default provisions in load documentation and strategic advice in respect of disputes.

Private Indian companies

Advising private companies on a number of arbitrations under LMAA, UNCITRAL and LCIA rules.

Large South India based group

Advising on a dispute with a large bank in respect of a significant loan default and a subsequent dispute and settlement.

Hotel Group

Advising a hotel group in Goa in relation to disputes surrounding the acquisition of a valuable piece of land.

More: India

Awards

International arbitration

Dispute resolution

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has been recognised at the Indian Corporate Counsel Association’s (ICCA) Excellence Awards 2019. The firm was awarded in the ICCA ‘Fore..

22 Aug 2019

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© Stephenson Harwood LLP 2016. Any reference to Stephenson Harwood in this document means Stephenson Harwood LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. Any reference to a partner is used to refer to a member of Stephenson Harwood LLP.