Shabana Saleem

Legacy: Putting the Family First

This comprehensive guide is designed to help you navigate the intricate landscape of family business and private wealth in the Middle East, where family businesses constitute approximately 60% of GDP and employ 80% of the workforce in the GCC, offering unparalleled opportunities for wealth creation and preservation.

Packed with insights, strategies, and expert advice from our talented lawyers, Legacy provides tailored solutions to the unique challenges of asset protection, succession planning, and dispute resolution in this dynamic region.Read the publication and equip yourself with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive, whether you’re a seasoned investor, a family business owner, part of the next generation, or a newcomer exploring opportunities in the region.

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The leading law firm in the Middle East & North Africa region.

Biography

Family Barrister (Direct Access), Call 2014.

Since completing pupillage at 4 Paper Buildings, I have undertaken High Court advocacy and worked inl eading Legal 500 firms, Charles Russell Speechlys and Forsters. I have advised clients in private financial and children proceedings, particularly clients based in or having connections in the Middle East, Asia and South Asia (“MEASA”) region. During my time at Charles Russell Speechlys, I travelled to the GCC region between 2 to 3 times per year for business development and client matters.

I have studied Arabic at university, and I am keen to study Arabic to gain proficiency in the language to better serve the local market.

In mid-2023 I joined Outer Temple Chambers as a full-tenant. Since joining Chambers, I have published one journal article, spoken at two conferences and received several referrals in family matters. I am due to commence a specialist family mediation course in March 2024 to become an accredited mediator. I intend to focus growing my mediation and litigation practice, capitalising on my fluency in English, Urdu, Hindi and (in time) Arabic.

I wish to return to the employed Bar so that I can accelerate my practice growth by collaborating with colleagues in complementary fields, as I have done in the past.

Recent Experience

PUBLICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENTS

Speaker at event the “Keeping it in the family – Arbitration for Billionaires” event hosted by Mishcon de Reya for Dubai Arbitration Week on Wednesday 15 November 2023 in the DIFC, Dubai.
Speaker at event the “DIFC Family Wealth” event organised by the DIFC and hosted by Outer Temple Chambers in London on 3 October 2023.
Publication: Building Better Foundations: the Dubai International Financial Centre foundation law consultation, Oxford University Journal Trusts & Trustees, Volume 29, Issue 6, July 2023, Pages 526– 531.
Speaker and organiser for the International Academy of Family Lawyers conference in Dubai between 12 to 14 November 2018.
Reference: Cited in the Court of Appeal (Civil Division), HM Attorney General v Akhter and Khan and Hussain and Southall Black Sisters [2020] EWCA Civ 122.
Publication: The legal treatment of Islamic marriage ceremonies under English Law (co-author) Oxford Journal of Law and Religion, Volume 7, Issue 3, October 2018, Pages 376–400.
Speaker at the “Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements and wealth protection” event organised by STEP Arabia in Abu Dhabi on 11 November 2018.
Publication: Islamic Marriages: Given the independent review into the application of Sharia Law in England and Wales, what is the way forward? (co-author) Family Law Journal Vol.48 May 2018, Pages 552-557.
Publication: Submission of written evidence to the Sharia Councils Home Affairs Select Committee Review (co-author), House of Commons, Parliament 5 November 2016.
Speaker and Chair at the “Sharia Reviews” event at the River Room House of Lords, Parliament in London on 3 October 2016.
Publication: Managing Family Problems in the UAE, Capital Letter Vol.18 Issue 3 Autumn 2016.
Speaker and Chair, The Problem with Religious Family Mediation, Middle Temple 4 March 2016.
Publication: Tactical conversion for the use of Sharia Family Courts (co-author) June 2016.

MEMBERSHIPS AND APPOINTMENTS

Memberships: Resolution, Middle Temple.
Committee member – Young Barristers Committee at the Bar Council – June 2017 to June 2021.
School Governor – Lambeth Council, 2014 – June 2017.
President – Association of Gray’s Inn Students, 2011 – 2012.
Administrator – Muslim Arbitration Tribunal, assisting in Sharia civil and family ADR, 2009 – 2011.

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarship from the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators in 2018.
International Commercial Arbitration VIS Moot (Vienna) – Honourable Mention for Best Advocate, 2009.
Ann Felicity Goddard Scholarship – The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, 2014.
Uthwatt Award BPTC Scholarship – The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, 2010.
Keen Entrepreneur Award – Keen Entrepreneurship University Consortium, 2010.
Written & Oral Advocacy LLM (Audit) – Distinction – Centre for Commercial Law Studies, 2008 – 2009.

Language(s)

English

Urdu / Hindi

Punjabi

Education

4 King’s Bench Walk, Direct Access Course – 96% (2015)
Bar Practice Training Course, Inns of Court School of Law (part time) – Very Competent (2011 – 2013)
Masters in arbitration (MA), Queen Mary University of London – Merit (2009 – 2011)
Bachelors (LLB) English and European Law, Queen Mary University of London – 2.1 (Hons) (2005-2009)