Khawar Qureshi QC: Statement by the BSB
Three allegations were made against Mr Khawar Qureshi QC by another barrister in late April 2015, asserting that he had misled the court in the context of a case between the Republic of Djibouti
v Mr Boreh, on either 11/12 September 2013 or 13th November 2014.
Khawar Qureshi QC, inter alia, referred to the observations of Flaux J at a 5 day hearing in March 2015 (which he had attended voluntarily to answer any questions) and the subsequent 83 page
judgment (handed down on 23 March 2015), where the Judge had found that it was a partner in a law firm who deliberately misled the Court.
Mr Qureshi observed, inter alia, that the allegations were not based on any evidence in addition to that which Flaux J had considered and referred to in his Judgment. He maintained that the Code of Conduct was not engaged and took the view that there was no duty on him to report but that, as a matter of honour, he made the self-report of the allegations for consideration on 13th May 2015.
On 6th June 2015, the first and second allegations were subject to an early recommendation by the BSB to dismiss them without a need for a formal investigation. The investigation of the third allegation was adjourned by the BSB until April 2016 because of factors external to Mr Qureshi. This allegation was also dismissed at the end of the investigation on 25 July 2016.
There are no outstanding proceedings against Mr Qureshi QC of any type and the BSB has no concerns about Mr Qureshi QC’s conduct; he retains an entirely unblemished professional record.
The BSB has apologised to Khawar Qureshi QC for any distress or prejudice resulting from errors and delay on the part of the BSB prior to its dismissal of the allegations.