Commercial Dispute Resolution
London (Bar)
11 years ranked
Provided by 4 Stone Buildings
Sharif A. Shivji KC is the Joint Head of Chambers of 4 Stone Buildings and Attorney General to HRH The Prince of Wales. He is a leading silk in commercial law, with a particular focus in banking, financial services, civil fraud, company, and insolvency litigation. Sharif has appeared in two of the largest matters before the English Courts in recent years; the Hewlett-Packard / Autonomy litigation and the Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse litigation.
He is also a leading offshore barrister with a prominent practice in BVI, Cayman Islands, Bermuda and the DIFC (where he has appeared in many of the jurisdiction’s most significant cases (Court of Appeal and First Instance).
Sharif has substantial experience in acting as arbitration counsel in ICC, LCIA, and DIAC proceedings, and regularly represents governments and regulatory bodies.
As a former derivatives trader, Sharif’s expertise includes financial markets and corporate finance, with a particular emphasis on financial and commodity futures, options, and complex derivatives.
Notable cases include: Autonomy v Lynch [2025] EWHC 1877 (Ch), [2025] EWHC 1171 (Ch), [2022] EWHC 1178 (Ch), Gonzalez v Financial Conduct Authority [2025] UKUT 214 (TCC), Enstar [2025] SC (Bda) 76 civ (Bermuda), Mozambique v Credit Suisse International [2024] EWHC 1957 (Comm), General Electric Co v Al Alpine US Bidco Inc [2021] EWHC 45 (Ch), Bank Sarasin Alpen v Bank J Safra Sarasin (DIFC CFI & CA), Khorafi v Bank Sarasin (DIFC), Akhmedova v Akhmedov (2018) (DIFC CFI & CA), Akers v Stanford (BVI HC & CA), Wentworth v Lehman [2017] EWHC 3158 (Ch), S&P v ApoBank and RBS (2016) (Comm) and Chesterfield v Deutsche Bank (2016) (Ch).
Sharif is highly ranked across multiple practice areas in the legal directories and was listed in The Lawyer’s Hot 100.
Economics graduate (LSE), research assistant to member of Bank of England’s monetary policy committee, derivatives trader (London and Hong Kong 1997 to 1999). The Lawyer Hot 100, C&P Company & Insolvency Junior 2016, Commercial Litigation Junior 2018, Legal 500 Insolvency Junior 2020, Legal 500 Middle East Commercial Silk of the Year 2025. Deputy High Court Judge (2023 onwards), Attorney General to HRH The Prince of Wales (2020 onwards), Chair of Advocate (the legal advice and representation charity) (2023 onwards), Chair of Reserves and Director of Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund.
Called to the Bar of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the British Virgin Islands and Bermuda. Chancery Bar Association, COMBAR, Insolvency Lawyers' Association, Financial Services Lawyers’ Association.
Author, Transaction Avoidance in Insolvencies, OUP, 2018.
Provided by Chambers
Sharif Shivji KC's background as a derivatives trader allows him to bring a wealth of direct and professional experience to his highly rated work advising on a range of domestic and international financial regulatory issues. He is also well regarded as an advocate and regularly appears before the Upper Tribunal. His client list includes high-profile investment banks, institutional investors and regulatory bodies.
Sharif Shivji KC is often instructed in high-value shareholder disputes and financial services-related claims. His technical expertise is bolstered by prior experience as a derivatives trader, which he applies to a range of banking and insolvency law matters.
Sharif Shivji KC is a highly skilled practitioner who has solid experience of acting for a wide range of clients, from investment banks to institutional investors. He co-ordinates cases concerning LIBOR manipulation, mis-selling claims and derivative issues, and also handles matters with offshore elements, including in the Middle East.
Sharif Shivji KC delivers standout performances in financial services litigation and has a highly international practice that sees him work in places such as Dubai, the BVI and Trinidad & Tobago. He is well known for his private client work including high-value divorce agreements, where he advises on trust-related issues, among others. He also maintains particular expertise in commercial litigation, fraud and insolvencies.
Sharif Shivji KC is a well-regarded silk who is regularly involved in complex and high-value fraud litigation. He acts for a broad client base, including several high net worth individuals and financial institutions, and has experience handling cases involving multiple overseas jurisdictions.
Sharif Shivji KC is highly sought after for his expertise in insolvency disputes and wider commercial capabilities. He is particularly adept at handling matters arising from the collapse of financial institutions, and his broad experience covers both domestic and offshore insolvencies.
Provided by Chambers
Sharif is the busiest person at the Bar, but is somehow always available and always on top of the detail. He is highly commercial and extraordinarily astute.
He is a first-rate silk with a lot of business acumen.
His advocacy skills are superb, and he is incredibly hard-working.
Sharif has great judgement.
Sharif's addresses to the court are always structured, tidy and clear.
A redoubtable opponent and a man of great judgement.
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