The Law Counsel has a highly reputable banking practice headed by senior partner Abdur Razzaq. It remains one of the premier firms in Bangladesh for Islamic banking and shari’ah-compliant financing work. It is the firm of choice for Islamic Bank Bangladesh, notably for commercial, corporate finance and project financing work; Ehsan Abdullah Siddiq is the contact here. Associate, Syed Mohammad Raihan Uddin is experienced in drafting complex financial contracts for local and foreign banks.

The Law Counsel’s well-regarded practice stands out for its strong capabilities in complex commercial litigation, as well as matters involving labour law, industrial disputes and insurance claims. Abdur Razzaq Siddiq is a particularly well-known name among foreign clients operating in the TMT sector. He co-heads the department with Ehsan Abdullah Siddiq and Imran Siddiq, who assist blue-chip companies operating in Bangladesh with compliance and corporate governance issues.

The Law Counsel, which is highlighted for its strengths in tax litigation, is prominent in tax proceedings before the High Court Division. The team has expertise in customs, VAT and income tax issues. It attracts a steady stream of referral work from international law firms. Abdur Razzaq, Ehsan Abdullah Siddiq and Imran Siddiq are the main contacts.

The Law Counsel has a proven track record acting for local and foreign companies on a wide variety of corporate mandates, such as market entry, compliance and commercial contracts. Ehsan Abdullah Siddiq has expertise in corporate governance and compliance. The team also includes Imran Siddiq, who has a well-established reputation advising clients in the telecoms industry. The team receives a stream of instructions from international law firms in the TMT and IP sector and also has large employment offering. Senior partner Abdur Razzaq splits his time between London and Dhaka.

The Legal 500, 2022

The Law Counsel advises on a broad variety of disputes in Bangladesh, including shareholder cases, IP litigation, medical negligence, and insurance claims. Also proficient in employment and tax disputes, as well as public interest cases. Often acts on constitutional and administrative cases. Maintains an impressive roster of clients in a range of sectors, including technology, insurance, and finance.

Chambers and Partners, 2022

‘The Law Counsel has an excellent litigation practice and well-respected corporate department. It is known for its skill at handling complex commercial, employment and labour matters as well as for its expertise in Islamic financing’. 

‘The group has a proven track record of advising on constitutional and administrative matters, particularly through its senior partner.’ 

‘Ehsan Abdullah Siddiq is particularly recommended for his advice on corporate governance and compliance matters. Imran A Siddiq has a strong track record of advising clients in the telecommunications sector.’ 
The Legal 500, 2021

‘Maintains an impressive roster of clients in a range of sectors, including technology, insurance and finance.’

‘…proficient in employment and tax disputes, as well as public interest cases. Often acts on constitutional and administrative cases’ 

‘Imran Siddiq is recognised for his capabilities in handling IP issues, including infringement proceedings’… “extremely responsive to all emails and telephone calls and very pleasant to work with, providing a high standard of work that is clearly presented.”

Chambers and Partners, 2021

‘Imran Siddiq is well versed in IP matters, particularly trade mark registrations and infringement cases’ … ‘very responsive’ and provides ‘a personal service.’ 

Chambers and Partners, 2020

Abdur Razzaq Siddiq is recommended for his TMT expertise’

The Legal 500, 2019

‘The Law Counsel’s advice is ‘always effective and based on sound legal knowledge’. The team focuses on arbitration, banking, administrative law, family and employment matters’ 

‘Abdur Razzaq is noted for TMT work, which is a growing area for the firm, especially with regards to data protection, and Ehsan Siddiq and Imran Siddiq are ‘equally competent and efficient.’

The Legal 500, 2018

‘They are a firm of extremely professional, approachable and incredibly skilled lawyers. The clerks are very good too and tremendously helpful. They offer excellent service and go the extra mile.’ 

‘Imran Siddiq is … well reputed for his expertise in IP litigation, particularly in relation to trade mark and patent infringement …  a fantastic practitioner who is thorough and handles matters with great skill … extremely knowledgeable and has an admirably clear and meticulous style of drafting … easily reachable for consultations and offers clever, shrewd and realistic advice’ 

Chambers and Partners, 2018

‘ … The Law Counsel is headed by Abdur Razzaq who is … particularly noted for his arbitration expertise. … Ehsan Siddiq is the other key figure advising on commercial, administrative and employment law.’

The Legal 500, 2017

‘Abdur Razzaq of The Law Counsel is a highly regarded and established practitioner with particular expertise in constitutional and criminal law.’

Chambers and Partners, 2016

‘Best known for its work on Islamic finance matters, Also recognized for its work on cross-border mandates’. 

Chambers and Partners, 2015

‘Assists both domestic and foreign businesses and financial institutions on various matters, including power and energy deals, as well as formation of joint ventures and foreign investment’. 

 ‘Experienced representing both domestic and international entities in litigation. Also noted for its expertise on arbitration and on other methods of ADR, including mediation ’. 

 ‘Abdur Razzaq is a senior litigator and has represented a wide variety of clients in arbitration proceedings and before many courts in Bangladesh’. 

Chambers and Partners, 2014

‘… a compact group with a proven track record in assisting domestic and foreign corporate, In association with its office in London … the group offers expertise in a broad selection of commercial matters’. 

 ‘Abdur Razzaq comes highly recommended for his deep Islamic banking expertise and impressive litigation skills’. 

Chambers and Partners, 2013

‘This robust practice has substantial depth in advising commercial banks and businesses on national and international level. The team covers finance, investments, corporate M&A, banking, foreign investment and insurance work’. 

 ‘Abdur Razzaq handles Shariah banking and general corporate matters. He is also a highly respected litigator, who regularly appears before the Supreme Court’. 

‘The firm is well regarded for both its litigation and arbitration practices. Clients benefit from an associated office in London and legal consultants from the UK and USA to advise on particularly complex matters. This international approach, coupled with many years of experience in the local market, attracts a significant number of local and international clients’. 

‘Seasoned practitioner Abdur Razzaq is recommended for his expertise in a broad range of dispute resolution. Sources commend him for his skill as an advocate and his deep understanding of public law.’ 

Chambers and Partners, 2012

‘The firm’s main strength lies in advising commercial banks and business houses on the spectrum of corporate/commercial matters. It continues to act for clients from Bangladesh and beyond.’ 

‘Abdur Razzaq is well known for his experience in Sharia banking, and also handles many litigation matters.’ 

‘This firm is a capable force in dispute resolution, offering arbitration and litigation expertise across a range of specialist areas. …. The Law Counsel has established a good reputation amongst local and international clients.’’ 

 ‘Abdur Razzaq is known as one of the finest litigators and arbitrators in the country, and is universally praised for his knowledge.’ 

Chambers and Partners, 2011

‘The firm has an especially strong niche acting as corporate counsel in the energy sector… Abdur Razzaq leads the capable group’s work on transactional and advisory matters on behalf of a broad base of foreign and domestic clients.’ 

 ‘The firm is a force in arbitration and litigation and has recently acted for several clients on financially critical cases. Litigation makes up the bulk of the firm’s workload. … An expert litigator and arbitrator, Abdur Razzaq leads on high profile commercial and public law disputes for the firm’. 

Chambers and Partners, 2010

‘The group acts for a number of international clients in many sectors and handles issues relating to administrative law, contracts, joint ventures and M&A.’ 

‘Under the direction of ‘proficient and in-demand senior advocate’ Abdur Razzaq, this team comes highly recommended by clients. Razzaq advises foreign and domestic clients on all areas of dispute resolution, and is particularly renowned for his constitutional law experience.’ 

Chambers and Partners, 2009