Sajid is a commercial barrister with a broad international practice spanning high‑value commercial litigation, civil fraud, construction and international arbitration. He acts for financial institutions, multinational corporates, investment funds, state‑owned entities and high‑net‑worth individuals. His work frequently concerns allegations of fraud, breaches of fiduciary and contractual duties, misfeasance and complex commercial wrongdoing.
He appears regularly in the Commercial Court and the Chancery Division, and in arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, DIAC and ICSID Rules. Sajid has a substantial Middle East practice and is frequently instructed in high‑value matters before the DIFC and ADGM Courts. His cases often involve parallel proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, interim remedies, jurisdictional challenges and the enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards.
Sajid is currently instructed as counsel in two landmark DIFC Court of Appeal cases: one concerning jurisdiction (Nashrah v (1) Najem (2) Nex ARB 005/2025) and the other a civil fraud claim worth AED 100 million (Al Mheiri v Cameron). His appellate practice is complemented by his trial experience, including, for example, a recent ICC arbitration evidentiary hearing for an AED 50 million claim concerning delays and variations in a well-known construction project in Dubai.
Sajid has extensive experience of urgent interlocutory relief, including domestic and worldwide freezing orders, anti‑suit and anti‑arbitration injunctions, Norwich Pharmacal and Bankers Trust orders, and a wide range of disclosure and asset‑preservation measures. He is regularly instructed in heavyweight, document‑intensive litigation and frequently appears as sole counsel, including against King’s Counsel.
He also has significant experience in construction and engineering disputes, particularly in the MENA region, and has acted as sole counsel in delay, defect and variations claims under ICC, LCIA and DIAC Rules. He has extensive experience of cross‑examining technical, quantum and delay experts, and senior industry professionals.
Notable recent cases include:
Sajid acts in ICC, LCIA, DIAC and ICSID arbitrations across a wide range of industries, including technology, construction, joint ventures, energy and international trade. His work includes jurisdictional challenges, enforcement proceedings, stay applications and interim relief in support of arbitration.
He appears as sole counsel in substantial construction arbitrations, including disputes concerning delay, variations and quantum.
Acting for a technology company in ICC arbitration concerning an alleged breach of a sale and purchase agreement.
Representing a defendant in DIAC proceedings concerning the validity of a pathological arbitration clause.
Defending an Omani state‑owned entity in an ICC arbitration concerning delay and variations on a major infrastructure project.
Acting for a Dubai contractor in an ICC arbitration concerning delay and variations (claim value ~AED 50m).
Sajid acts in claims involving deceit, misrepresentation, unlawful means conspiracy, breach of trust, dishonest assistance and complex asset recovery. His work frequently involves cross‑border tracing exercises and multi‑jurisdictional enforcement.
He has extensive experience of urgent relief including freezing orders (domestic and worldwide), Norwich Pharmacal and Bankers Trust orders, and disclosure applications.
Representing a member of a Middle Eastern Royal Family in Commercial Court proceedings concerning alleged embezzlement.
Acting for investors in an Abu Dhabi‑based NFT and crypto‑asset scheme.
Acting for a debtor in enforcement proceedings following judgment in an alleged Ponzi scheme.
Obtaining a worldwide freezing order and Norwich Pharmacal relief against a cryptocurrency exchange.
Sajid has extensive experience of construction and engineering disputes, particularly those arising out of major Middle Eastern developments. He acts in claims involving delay, disruption, defects, variations and quantum.
He advises at all stages of disputes, including pre‑action, adjudication, arbitration and trial, and has experience where construction, insurance and professional negligence issues intersect.
Acting for a contractor in an ICC arbitration concerning delay and variations on a Dubai development (AED 50m).
Acting in an ICC arbitration concerning delay and variations on a major construction project in the Middle East.
Advising a developer on insurance‑related disputes arising out of a major Manchester development.
Advising on a professional negligence claim against an architect.
Sajid acts for liquidators, creditors and debtors in corporate insolvency and personal bankruptcy proceedings, including applications under the Cross‑Border Insolvency Regulations 2006.
His work includes misfeasance claims, transactions at an undervalue, preferences and enforcement of foreign insolvency processes.
Acting for liquidators in misfeasance claims against former directors.
Representing creditors in recognition applications under the Cross‑Border Insolvency Regulations 2006.
Acting for the Official Assignee of New Zealand in cross‑border insolvency proceedings relating to property in Mayfair.
Representing a debtor in bankruptcy proceedings arising out of a construction funding arrangement.
Representing a debtor in bankruptcy proceedings concerning a partnership‑related debt.
Sajid advises corporates and individuals on UK and international sanctions regimes, including designation risk, asset freezes, compliance issues and enforcement. His sanctions work often intersects with commercial disputes and asset recovery.
Recent work includes advising a Russian individual on sanctions issues in the British Virgin Islands, including matters relating to company restoration and asset control.
Sajid has a substantial UAE practice and is regularly instructed in significant disputes before the DIFC and ADGM Courts. His caseload includes civil fraud, asset recovery, shareholder and joint venture disputes, cryptocurrency and NFT claims, employment and ESOP disputes and urgent interim relief (including freezing and anti‑suit injunctions).
He has detailed experience of procedural and jurisdictional issues particular to the DIFC and ADGM, including enforcement of foreign judgments and awards and interactions between onshore and offshore courts.
Recent cases include:
Below are a sample of report DIFC and ADGM cases in which Sajid has appeared as counsel:
Sajid Suleman is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please click here.
To find out more, contact Lexie Johnson on + 44 (0) 207 427 0801 for a confidential discussion.
