Zafar has a broad practice that spans all of Chambers’ main areas of practice and in particular employment, sport, public/regulatory, human rights and commercial law. He has appeared as sole counsel as well as working as part of large teams in a number of complex, high-value cases.

    Zafar’s clients have included individuals ranging from junior employees to headteachers and senior executives, a Premier League football club and other major sporting bodies, a leading media company, and a large domestic regulator. In July 2021, Zafar was also appointed as one of four Commissioners on the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, set up by the England and Wales Cricket Board to investigate issues of inequality and discrimination in the sport.   

    Prior to commencing practice, Zafar played professional cricket for Surrey and England. After retiring from the sport in 2017, Zafar worked as a youth advocate at the charity Just for Kids Law, assisting young people with understanding and claiming their rights in areas including, but not limited to: community care, education, housing, immigration, and criminal justice. Whilst undertaking his legal qualifications, Zafar also spent time volunteering for the Refugee Council and the charity Inquest.

    Experience

    Shortlist

    Employment

    Zafar accepts instructions in all areas of employment law.

    Cases

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    • Millicom Services UK Limited & Others v Clifford [2022] EAT 74

      Zafar assisted Catherine Callaghan QC who acted for the Appellants in this appeal concerning the scope of the ET's power to prohibit the disclosure of information under Rule 50 of the ET Rules of Procedure. The Appellants made an application to prohibit the disclosure of certain information in ET proceedings, relying on all three limbs of Rule 50, namely, the interests of justice, Convention rights and confidentiality. The Appellants successfully argued in the EAT that the proposed derogation from the open justice principle was necessary to protect the safety and security of non-participants in the litigation located outside the UK, in a country that was not a signatory to the ECHR. 

    • [Former Employer] v [Former Employee]

      Acting for a retired senior executive in a claim for breach of contractual/fiduciary duties and unlawful means conspiracy. 

    • Advice on strike out

      Advised a claimant bringing a number of employment-related claims (including unfair dismissal and disability discrimination) on the prospects of successfully applying to strike out the respondents' defence on the basis of alleged witness intimidation.

    • Advice on the application of a settlement agreement

      Advised a law firm on whether the terms of a previous settlement agreement prohibited the firm from representing future potential claimants in employment-related claims.

    • Disability discrimination claim

      Successfully argued that the Claimant was a disabled person at all relevant times for the purposes of s6 of the Equality Act 2010.

    • Unfair dismissal (redundancy) claim

      Acting for a claimant who had been unfairly dismissed purportedly on the grounds of redundancy.  

    • [Employer] v [Employee]

      Drafted a letter of response to letter before action alleging the breach of a number of express and implied contractual obligations (relating to, inter alia, confidentiality and competition).  

    • A Breach of Confidence Matter

      Advising an employee accused by his former employer of breaching his duty of confidence (assisting Diya Sen Gupta QC).

    • An Employee Competition Matter

      Advising a major retailer on the enforceability of a non-compete clause against an employee proposing to move to a competitor (assisting Diya Sen Gupta QC).

    • An Equality Law Matter

      Advising in relation to a race discrimination (direct, harassment and victimisation) and associative disability discrimination against a Bank (assisting Diya Sen Gupta QC).

    • An Equality Law Matter

      Advising a regulator on the grounds and prospects of successfully appealing the decision of the Employment Tribunal in a discrimination claim (assisting Diya Sen Gupta QC).

    • Application to strike out a discrimination claim

      Strike out application concerning the scope of, and time limits for victimisation claims under, section 39 of the Equality Act 2010 (assisting Diya Sen Gupta QC).

    • An Employee Competition Matter

      Advising an LLP on the merits of bringing claims against a former partner for breach of a non-compete covenant and other breaches of contract (assisting Diya Sen Gupta QC).
    Shortlist

    Sport

    Zafar accepts instructions in all areas of sports law.

    In July 2021, Zafar was appointed as a Commissioner to the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, set up by the England and Wales Cricket Board to examine issues of inequality and discrimination in the sport.

    Cases

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    • Advice on discrimination

      Provided legal and strategic advice to a sports governing body on responding appropriately to an allegation of discrimination by a participant in the sport. 

    • Confidential arbitration

      Acting for a Premier League football club in arbitration proceedings.

    • The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket

      In July 2021, Zafar was appointed as one of four Commissioners on the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, set up by the England and Wales Cricket Board to investigate issues of inequity and discrimination across the sport.

    • [Senior sports administrator] v [International sports governing body]

      Represented a senior sports administrator in a challenge against the decisions of a foreign domestic sport governing body and the sport's international governing body. The challenge concerned the misapplication of powers by these bodies, and involved a number of complex procedural and jurisdictional questions.

    • Advice on statutory interpretation

      Advised a sports governing body on the interpretation and application of a number of sport-specific legislative provisions.

    Shortlist

    Public & Regulatory

    Zafar accepts instructions in all areas of public law.

    Cases

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    • Re. Advertising Standards Authority

      Acting for a large advertiser in an ongoing challenge to an adverse decision by the ASA.  

    • Advice on the provision of Gender Identity Services for children

      Advice on the lawfulness of arrangements between NHS England and the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust for the provision of Gender Identity Development Services for children (assisting Jason Pobjoy).

    • R (TN (Vietnam)) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (ongoing)

      Acting for Detention Action intervening in a claim for judicial review concerning the status of asylum appeals which were determined under ultra vires procedural rules (assisting Jason Pobjoy).

    • R (Andrews) v Minister for the Cabinet Office (No. 2) (ongoing)

      A claim for judicial review concerning whether the omission to make further provision in legislation to assist blind and partially sighted voters in time for the general election in December 2019 breached human rights (assisting Hanif Mussa).

    • R (Coughlan) v Minister for the Cabinet Office (ongoing)

      A claim for judicial review concerning whether the government was permitted to authorise the use of identification requirements at the local government elections in May 2019. An appeal is currently pending before the Supreme Court (assisting Hanif Mussa).

    • R (Larkfleet) v Gas and Electricity Markets Authority

      A claim for judicial review concerning the lawfulness of the withdrawal of regulatory accreditation granted to solar photovoltaic generating station, which enabled the station to claim renewable obligation certificates (assisting Hanif Mussa).
    Shortlist

    Civil Liberties & Human Rights

    Zafar accepts instructions in all areas of civil liberties and human rights law.

    Cases

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    • R (Andrews) v Minister for the Cabinet Office (No. 2) (ongoing)

      A claim for judicial review concerning whether the omission to make further provision in legislation to assist blind and partially sighted voters in time for the general election in December 2019 breached human rights (assisting Hanif Mussa).

    • Freedom of Expression Advice

      Advice on the application of article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights in the context of satirical news content (assisting Jason Pobjoy).

    • R (AB) v Secretary of State for Justice [2021] UKSC 28

      A claim for judicial review concerning whether the solitary confinement of persons under 18 years of age is inherently inhuman and degrading, contrary to article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and whether there must exist “exceptional” circumstances in which such treatment is “strictly necessary” for it to be article 3-compliant (assisting Jason Pobjoy).

    • A Deportation Matter

      A first-tier tribunal challenge to the decision by the Secretary of State for the Home Department to issue the Appellant a deportation order under regulation 23(6)(b) of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016 (assisting Jason Pobjoy).

    • R (JS) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (ongoing)

      A claim for judicial review of the Secretary of State's ongoing decision that parents and siblings of refugee children are not entitled to family reunion on the same basis as the spouses and children of adult refugees under the Immigration Rules (assisting Jason Pobjoy).

    • All the Citizens v Prime Minister (ongoing)

      A claim for judicial review concerning the UK Government’s decision not to order an investigation into Russian interference in the UK’s democratic processes during and after the EU Referendum in the 2016, and the adequacy of the UK’s legal framework with respect to protecting the electoral process from foreign state interference (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    Shortlist

    Investigations & Inquiries

    Zafar has experience conducting highly sensitive investigations. His work includes:

    • Assisting Gemma White QC in an investigation into allegations of race discrimination and use of racist language by the Chair of a Board.
    • Acting as one of four Commissioners on the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, set up by the England and Wales Cricket Board to investigate issues of inequality and discrimination in the sport.

    Shortlist

    Commercial

    Zafar accepts instructions in all areas of commercial law.

    Cases

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    • Advice on the Environmental Information Regulations 2004

      Advising a company on what constitutes a request for “environmental information” within the meaning of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (“EIR”) and the circumstances in which exemptions within the EIR apply (assisting Jason Pobjoy).

    • Norwich Pharmacal Relief

      Advising on the merits of an application against a bank for Norwich Pharmacal and/or Bankers Trust relief as part of a push-payment fraud claim (assisting Victoria Windle).

    • Restitution Advice

      Advising a company on the merits of a mistake and/or Woolwich type unlawful demand claim, and any available defences (including passing on and change of position) (assisting Jason Pobjoy).

    • [Former Employer] v [Former Employee]

      Acting for a retired senior executive in a claim for breach of contractual/fiduciary duties and unlawful means conspiracy. 

    • Quantum Meruit and Breach of Contract Claim

      Advising and drafting particulars of claim in respect of a failure to render payment for services provided (assisting Victoria Windle).

    • PJSC National Bank Trust v Shishkhanov [2021] EWHC 692 (Comm)

      Acting for a Defendant contesting the jurisdiction of the English Court (assisting Victoria Windle).

    • Brussels and Rome Regulations Advice

      Advising on the application of the Rome and Brussels Regulations in a claim for breach of fiduciary duty, unlawful means conspiracy and dishonest assistance (assisting Victoria Windle).
    Shortlist

    Financial Services & Banking

    Zafar accepts instructions in all areas of financial services law.

    Cases

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    • Advice on LIBOR-linked rate loans

      Advising on the impact of LIBOR ceasing to be a representative benchmark rate on a lender’s standard mortgage origination documents (assisting Hanif Mussa).

    • Unfair Mortgage Agreements Advice

      Advising a mortgage provider regarding potential claims by borrowers that terms in their mortgage agreements were unfair (assisting Hanif Mussa).

    Achievements

    Education

    • BPP University (London Holborn). Bar Professional Training Course (full-time): Outstanding
    • BPP University (London Waterloo). Graduate Diploma in Law (part time): Distinction
    • Royal Holloway, University of London. MA History (by Research) (part time): Distinction
    • Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. BA (Hons) Politics, Psychology and Sociology (PPS): Double First.


    • 2nd highest mark across cohort in BPTC exams, BPP University, 2020. 
    • Buchanan Prize for outstanding mark in BPTC exams, Lincoln’s Inn, 2020. 
    • Lord Denning Scholarship, BPTC, Lincoln’s Inn, 2019. 
    • Excellence Scholarship, BPP University, 2019.
    • Bowen Scholarship, GDL, Lincoln’s Inn, 2017. 
    • Cohen Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence, BPP University, 2017. 
    • Career Guarantee Scholarship, BPP University, 2017. 
    • 4th highest mark in Part IIB PPS exams, University of Cambridge, 2013. 
    • Elected to Bateman Scholarship, Trinity Hall, 2013. 
    • Awarded College Prize, Trinity Hall: 2011, 2012, 2013. 
    • 3rd highest mark in Part IIA PPS exams, University of Cambridge, 2012. 
    • Elected to Scholarship, Trinity Hall: 2011, 2012. 
    • Starred First and 2nd highest mark in Part I Geography exams, University of Cambridge, 2011.

    Publications

    • Columnist, Wisden Cricket Monthly, July 2019 – Sept 2020.
    • ‘Has test cricket had its day?’, Prospect Magazine, 21 June 2018.
    • ‘Calling it a day at 25: Left-field decision’, Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2018 (also published in The Times)
    • Regular contributor to: BBC Radio 5 Live – ‘The Friday Sports Panel’  and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra – ‘The Cricket Social’ 

    Voluntary Positions

    • June 2019 – Sept 2020 Volunteer, Refugee Council (Refugee Cricket Project) 
    • Oct 2018 – July 2019 Volunteer, BPP Employment Law Telephone Advice Line
    • Sept 2018 – Mar 2019 Family Participation and Advocacy Volunteer, INQUEST
    • Jan 2017 – Aug 2017 Player Ambassador and Volunteer, Surrey Cricket Foundation

    VAT registration number: 387 4327 62

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