Mr Imran Abdullah Siddiq > The Law Counsel > Dhaka, Bangladesh > Lawyer Profile

The Law Counsel
Suite No. A-12, Green City Square
750 Satmasjid Road
Dhaka 1209
Bangladesh
Imran Abdullah Siddiq photo

Work Department

Constitutional and Administrative Law, Employment and Labour Law, Commercial and Corporate Law, Telecommunications Law, International Criminal Law

Position

Partner

Career

Professional Qualifications:
2007: Enrolled as an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
2005: Enrolled as an Advocate by the Bangladesh Bar Council.
2004: Called to the Bar of England and Wales from the Hon’ble Society of Gray’s Inn.

Positions held:
2005-2010: Associate, The Law Counsel
2011-2015: Senior Associate, The Law Counsel
2016- present: Partner, The Law Counsel

Particulars of Work Experience:
CONSTITUTIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE LAW:
Extensive experience in appearing before the High Court in judicial review applications for enforcement of fundamental rights. Appeared in landmark cases involving interpretation of constitutionally protected fundamental rights. Regularly represent clients  in commercial and employment law related disputes using an administrative law framework.
EMPLOYMENT& LABOUR LAW:
Regularly advise employees of statutory public bodies and private organizations regarding interpretation of service regulations and enforcement of their rights under the relevant employment contracts. Provide legal advice to government and semigovernment organizations regarding interpretation of employment contracts and service regulations. Appeared before the Administrative Appellate Tribunal and the High Court Division in complicated employment and labour law related disputes. Recently, was involved in and won a protracted litigation on behalf of a dismissed bank employee who was restored full service benefits by the High Court.
COMMERCIAL & CORPORATE LAW: Advised private and public limited companies regarding the legality of all aspects of their operations, including rectification of share registers, minority protection litigation, winding up proceedings as well as trademark and taxation related issues. Regularly advise and assist foreign companies in setting up place of business in Bangladesh. Recently advised and assisted Dell Global BV in setting up a liaison office in Bangladesh. Regularly advise banks regarding legal aspects of their financial transactions and investments, including legality of security documentation. Recently, successfully represented Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited in a proceeding before the High Court which challenged the bank’s security arrangements in respect of a claim of BDT 175 million (equivalent to US$ 2.2 million).
TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW: Advised global mobile phone operator groups and providers of messaging and VOIP services on issues related to expansion of their services within Bangladesh, including  advising on restrictions on transfer of customer data, legality of storage of user communication, data retention obligations, legality of providing OTT VoIP/Chat services, data security breaches, reporting obligations etc. Recently, advised the world’s largest information technology company and second largest mobile phone manufacturer regarding the legality of using embedded programmable SIM technology as a substitute for traditional SIM cards. Also advised the company in respect of the proposed expansion of its services in Bangladesh.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS: Represented government, semi-government organizations and private entities in relation to processing tenders, issuance of work orders and compliance with tender conditions. Advised companies in relation to government contracts and tenders.
CRIMINAL LAW & INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW: Defended former Ministers and Members of Parliament in high profile corruption and tax evasion cases. Recently, defended leaders of the country’s largest Islamist political party charged with genocide and crimes against humanity before the International Crimes Tribunal, Dhaka.

Languages

English and Bengali

Memberships

Hon’ble Society of Gray’s Inn, Supreme Court Bar Association

Education

LLB (Hons.) London School of Economics and Political Science 

BSc.(Hons.) Politics and International Relations (First Class), University of London

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.