ACCORD CHAMBERS - Key Persons
Ahmed Farzad is the Practice Lead of the firm's Corporate Governance, Securities & Company Law Practice Group and specializes in company law, laws governing securities and publicly traded/ listed companies, taxation and banking and finance. Farzad is also frequently appointed by the Company Bench of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, High Court Division as court appointed Company Secretary. He also has vast experience in acting as secretary of arbitration tribunal in numerous ad-hoc arbitrations. Farzad also advises corporations in the healthcare, pharmaceuticals and life sciences sector with market entry, legal and regulatory compliances in the jurisdiction of Bangladesh. Farzad has also represented multiple banks, non-banking financial institutions & investment/asset management firms in Bangladesh. He has also represented banks and financial institutes in a loan syndication of one major private sector power plant projects and two major construction projects. He undertakes drafting and vetting of security instruments, credit facility agreements and carries out property documents vetting before disbursement of loans to borrowers. Farzad is also accredited as a Civil Commercial Mediator and Associate Arbitrator by the ADR-ODR International, UK. He is also a member of the taxes bar and therefore has the requisite understanding of Bangladesh's tax regime that enables him to advise his clients on commercial matters with an insight of taxation issues.
Farzad is a Barrister-at-Law called to the Bar of England and Wales. Before being trained as a Barrister and obtaining PGDiL from the City Law School at City University, Farzad obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of London. Farzad is an Accredited Associate Arbitrator & Civil-Commercial Mediator, ADR-ODR Int'l, UK.
Mamun Chowdhury is a seasoned practitioner with over 20 years of experience in the profession. He has obtained vast experience of representing his clients before various courts in the Bangladeshi jurisdiction, including the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, in litigations involving banking and commercial disputes, anti-corruption, money laundering and taxation issues, company matters, land and real estate disputes, inland shipping and maritime issues. He has also earned his reputation as a trial counsel in civil litigation as well as criminal litigation, predominantly involving white-collar crimes.
Parallel to litigations, Mamun has helped major businesses grow, ensuring legal and regulatory compliances as well as resolve disputes through negotiation and alternative dispute resolution instances.
Mamun obtained his Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees from Bangladesh's top law school at the prestigious University of Dhaka. He is an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
Some of Mamun's notable engagements include the following:
Successfully represented European conglomerates in numerous international commercial arbitrations. Highlights include successful representation of a Turkish company in a US$ 5 million commodities supply dispute and working for a German company in an international trade dispute involving US$ 20 million arising out of supply of urea to a Bangladeshi governmental organization and representation.
Worked for UK based Telecom Company in a dispute with Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL) and for the employees of the country's No. 1 Telecom Company in a writ petition involving workers' participation fund of BDT 450 crores, equivalent to US$ 56.25 million.
Successfully represented governmental organizations in arbitration arising from US$ 3 million construction contract. Also represented private corporations in arbitrations at the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) concerning energy disputes for the supply of gas and natural resources.
Successfully negotiated the sale of shares valued at BDT 95 crores, equivalent to US$ 12 million, owned by a local group of companies and structured and facilitated the transfer of its assets and liabilities.
Advised a Dutch company in relation to a commercial dispute arising out of a supply contract with the Ministry of Food of the Government of Bangladesh. Also defended a front-tier Italian chemical supplier in a money suit and leading Singaporean corporation in the healthcare and life sciences sector in its litigations in Bangladesh.
Negotiated and successfully resolved a multitude of property rights disputes in the course of representing the No. 1 group of companies in the real estate sector of Bangladesh.
Represented a wide range of banks, financial institutions as well as borrowers in numerous litigations so as to facilitate recovery of multi-million-dollar loans on one hand and in settlement of debts on the other. Furthermore, was also involved with the initiation of litigations on behalf of a leading Bangladeshi bank in connection with one of the early instances of multi-million-dollar financial crime.
Liaised with a Canadian law firm based in Montreal in respect of its Bangladeshi client and advised the said firm about litigations against its clients pending in Bangladesh.
Drafted complex agreements pertaining to the procurement of boilers and water treatment plants from Indian suppliers valued at US$ 3.3 million, and international consultancy services relating to hi-tech hospitals, medical centres and start-up of an international school, as well as the procurement of required certifications and licenses from the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) and other authorities in respect of exporting cement to India. Also drafted an agreement for the supply of cement for Padma Multipurpose Bridge Approach Road between suppliers and public contractors.
Successfully defended local apparels industry against a major claim brought by one of its European buyers, culminating in the subsequent settlement in favour of the client. Also acted as the legal wing for the title sponsors of an international golf event, the Asian Tour held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Mohammad Zahirul Islam is a highly accomplished trial lawyer, having successfully conducted numerous trials across the country. He has a decade of experience in the fields of civil litigation, arising from commercial and trade disputes, writ petition/ judicial review and anti-corruption matters. During this period, he has provided insightful counsel to local and international clients and has represented them in the District and Session Courts as well as the High Court Division of the Supreme Court.
Zahirul has extensive experience in representing the central regulatory bank of Bangladesh in numerous litigations often concerning regulatory component in light of the Bank Company laws and regulations. He also represented corporations and individuals in criminal litigations in connection with evasion of taxes, cyber-crimes and other white-collar financial crimes.
He has served as primary trial counsel in a range of complex commercial litigation and was responsible for all phases of the litigation, including formulating and refining the legal theories, taking and defending numerous depositions, and participating in the ultimate settlement discussions.
Job Titles:
- Clerk
- Head
- Head Clerk, Supreme Court Wing
Job Titles:
- Head of Legal Content Writing
Sayedul Munim is the Practice Lead of the firm's Labour & Employment Law Practice Group and has a deep understanding of the labour and employment laws of Bangladesh and frequently advises the firm's local and foreign clients with labour law compliances, drafting of the employee handbook and employment contracts, termination and dismissal protocols and benefits requirements. Munim also spearheads the firm's project documentation capabilities and has extensive experience in negotiating, drafting, and reviewing large scale project documentations, EPC and turnkey contracts having familiarity with FIDIC, ICC and World Bank guidelines on project documentation. Munim advises offshore corporations on Foreign Direct Investment, Joint ventures and the startup of businesses in Bangladesh. Munim has advised global IT corporations on critical technology law matters pertaining to the Bangladesh jurisdiction. He has also made an impression in the efficient vetting of business contracts and documentation including joint venture agreements and share holders' agreements.
Munim is a Barrister called to the Bar of England and Wales and an enrolled Advocate in Bangladesh. Before being trained as a Barrister and obtaining PGDiL from the City Law School at City University, Munim obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of London. Munim also obtained a Master of Laws degree from London South Bank University.
Job Titles:
- Director of Practice Support
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR of COMMUNICATIONS
Syeda Farnaz Hossain is responsible for directing the firm's communications with governmental and regulatory authorities, global stakeholders and the diplomatic society. Prior to joining Accord Chambers, Syeda Farnaz started her career in 2010 as Communications Officer in the Press and Communications Unit of British High Commission Dhaka and Department for International Development (DFID), Bangladesh. During her tenure she also chaired the Diversity Committee of British High Commission Dhaka and acted as the First Response Officer for workplace conflicts and diversity issues. Farnaz completed her Bachelors in Media & Communications and later completed her Masters in Development Studies.