Mr Abdur Razzaq Siddiq > The Law Counsel > Dhaka, Bangladesh > Lawyer Profile
The Law Counsel Offices
Suite No. A-12, Green City Square
750 Satmasjid Road
Dhaka 1209
Bangladesh
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Mr Abdur Razzaq Siddiq
Work Department
Constitutional and Administrative Law, Banking and Commercial Law, Labour Law, Telecommunications Law, Employment law, International Criminal Law.
Position
Senior Partner and Head of Chambers, The Law Counsel
Tenant of Legis Chamber. 14 Red Lion Square, Holbon, London
Career
CONSTITUTIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: In the three decades since the commencement of his practice in Bangladesh in 1986, Mr. Razzaq has built up a substantial constitutional/administrative law practice, having been involved in numerous high profile public law cases which have had a lasting impact in the legal arena.
COMMERCIAL LAW: Mr. Razzaq has represented foreign and local clients in a variety of commercial disputes in the civil courts as well as in arbitration proceedings, with particular expertise in international trade and commerce. Mr. Razzaq has also been engaged in all major litigations involving issues of Shariah in the banking sector. Chambers and Partners (Asia Pacific, 2014) described him as having ‘a longstanding reputation for litigation and Islamic financing work.’ As a specially appointed counsel of the National Board of Revenue, he has represented the Bangladesh VAT and Customs authorities in the Supreme Court in numerous customs, VAT and Income tax cases.
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW: Between 2011 and 2013, Mr. Razzaq appeared as Chief Defence Counsel before Bangladesh’s first ever War Crimes Tribunal constituted to try commission of crimes against humanity and genocide during the War of Liberation in 1971. Mr. Razzaq represented as many as 6 defendants before the War Crimes Tribunal and the Supreme Court and was instrumental to shaping the jurisprudence of international criminal law in Bangladesh. His robust defence of defendants before the War Crimes Tribunal was praised in an independent report on the Trial of International Crimes in Bangladesh authored by Geoffrey Robertson QC – ‘defendants have been represented by capable and courageous counsel, especially … where defence teams have been led by Abdur Razzaq, a Lincoln’s Inn barrister’.
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES: Mr. Razzaq has wide experience of dealing with clients in the telecommunications sector. Under his leadership, the firm assisted Dhabi Group of UAE in preparing their successful bid for a telecommunications licence for providing telecommunications services in Bangladesh.
EXPERIENCE IN ANTI-CORRUPTION/ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING LAWS: As Senior Partner of The Law Counsel (which is a TRACE Partner Firm), prepared and updated country reports and guidelines on anti-corruption issues. Regularly advise banks and financial institutions regarding application of anticorruption and anti-money laundering legislations. Advised the largest private bank in Bangladesh regarding allegations of counter terrorism financing operations made by the U.S. Senate Permanent Sub Committee on Investigations. Preparation of reports on potential local partners of foreign clients in respect of compliance with US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Drafting policies for multi-national companies on governance issues and compliance with anti-corruption and anti money laundering legislations of Bangladesh.
Languages
English and Bangla
Memberships
- Hon’ble Society of Lincoln’s Inn; London.
- Supreme Court Bar Association., Bangladesh
- Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
- Chairman of Institute of Research and Development, Dhaka.
- Secretary General of the Centre for Human Rights, Dhaka.
Education
B.A. (Hons), M.A.
Lawyer Rankings
Bangladesh > Dispute resolution
The Law Counsel is referred to by one client as ‘one of a few law firms in Bangladesh that have the capability, skill, knowledge and English language ability to advise and handle legal disputes effectively for overseas clients.’ Abdur Razzaq Siddiq, Imran Abdullah Siddiq, and Ehsan Abdullah Siddiq are the trio leading the team, the latter of whom is described as ‘timely and responsive, and a pleasure to work with.’ Overall, the practice has a strong track record in constitutional and administrative law issues and has appeared in some of the most notable disputes in Bangladesh over the years.