The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has dismissed complaints against Serle Court barrister Khawar Qureshi QC related to his conduct in the high-profile Djibouti case last year.
In a letter from the BSB to Qureshi’s lawyers Howard Kennedy, the BSB said the professional conduct committee had reviewed its earlier decision to refer the matter to a disciplinary tribunal.
“Following reconsideration it has been decided the complaint should be dismissed,” the letter read. “There is no longer any realistic prospect of obtaining a disciplinary finding.”
The Lawyer revealed last June Qureshi had reported himself to the BSB following a finding that Gibson Dunn & Crutcher partner Peter Gray had“deliberately misled the High Court”.
A number of other lawyers involved in the Djibouti case also reported Qureshi to the BSB.
Gray had instructed Qureshi in the case, Republic of Djibouti v Abdourahman Boreh, to bring a $100m freezing order against the defendant.
It emerged falsified evidence had been presented to the court and Gray lost his job at Gibson Dunn as a result. Qureshi’s role in the case came under scrutiny despite no charges of wrongdoing being brought against him.
Gray made a number of accusations to the court about Qureshi’s conduct in the case, alleging the silk was also aware of the misdated phone transcripts that led to Gray losing his job.
Serle Court head of chambers Alan Boyle QC said he was “delighted that the BSB having considered the allegations has fully exonerated Khawar Qureshi”.
