Qarrar Somji

I qualified as a Solicitor Advocate in 2014 having previously had experience in a varying range of litigation roles. I graduated with a Masters in Commercial Law from the University of Birmingham in 2009 writing my thesis on Employer’s Liability for Work Related Stress.

I have been described in the Legal 500 (2019) as ‘an impressive and industrious litigator’.

I have experience of working on challenging and complex cases. A notable case I previously successfully pursued on behalf of a former director involved the recovery of significant racing car assets worth in excess of £100,000 through the High Court. The matter was legally and factually complex and settled on the morning of the Trial with a significant recovery for the Client.

I recently issued proceedings for £1.5M for a breach of contract in the Birmingham District Registry against a national bank arising out of a significant property development in Harborne, Birmingham. I have also previously advised and assisted with an application to remove a liquidator with a view to pursuing misfeasance claims against former directors of a company.

I recently successfully defended and settled a breach of trust and directors duty claim where the client also recovered her legal costs, and have also successfully arbitrated an alleged breach of a construction contract worth over £500,000 resulting in a payment to the Client.

I have experience in dealing with Solicitors Act assessments and applications under Section 61(1) of the Solicitors Act 1974, and also have significant injunction experience, having in the last 12 months defended a mandatory injunction for the return of £100,000.

I am commercially focused and think strategically to achieve desired outcomes. I strive to achieve client objectives in a timely and cost-effective manner. As a solicitor advocate, I have rights of audience in the Higher Courts, and regularly conduct my own advocacy, saving clients the additional expense of instructing a barrister.

I am a member of the Solicitors’ Association of Higher Rights Advocates. In the dynamic and changing world of Dispute Resolution I ensure my problem-solving skills are employed effectively in Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”). Litigation at times can be a blunt and expensive tool and therefore with the effective use of ADR, settlements can be negotiated which would not be possible in Court. I have participated in several mediations and resolved numerous disputes by way of oral and written negotiations.

I am multi-lingual, and in addition to English am also fluent in Gujarati, Urdu and Swahili.