Rajinder Bassi
Overview
She is a highly accomplished lawyer. She masters the detail of cases and remains calm under fire, showing excellent judgement throughout the difficulties of fast-moving, dynamic litigation.” - Chambers UK, 2024
Rajinder Bassi is head of the international litigation and arbitration group in the London office and is the Assistant General Counsel for Europe. She has represented multi-national corporations, government entities, and high profile individuals in high stakes international arbitrations and litigations around the world. These cases have involved a wide range of complex subject matters, applicable laws, and venues and have covered many industry sectors including telecoms, energy, pharmaceutical and financial services. Rajinder also serves as an arbitrator. In addition, Rajinder has conducted white collar crime investigations on a global basis.
Rajinder is listed as Hall of Fame in The Legal 500 UK (2024), where she is described as “an extremely thoughtful and able lawyer, and tactician.” She is also listed as a leading international arbitration lawyer in Chambers Global and Chambers & Partners UK (2024), where she is described as “a highly accomplished lawyer. She masters the detail of cases and remains calm under fire, showing excellent judgement throughout the difficulties of fast-moving, dynamic litigation.” Rajinder is recognised as a leading international arbitration lawyer in The Legal 500 International Arbitration Powerlist. Rajinder was also awarded the 2019 Asian Women of Achievement Award in the Business Category, and the Best in Commercial Arbitration Award in Euromoney’s Europe Women in Business Law Awards 2019.
Experience
Representative Matters
International Arbitration
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A Middle Eastern logistics company in a series of ICC arbitrations arising out of a joint venture transaction. English law applied. Venue – DIFC.
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A leading Russian industrial group (Defendant) in a $47 billion LCIA arbitration. The dispute concerns a shareholder dispute in a major Russian entity. English law applied. Venue – London.
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A leading Russian industrial group (Defendant) in a $100 million LCIA arbitration. The dispute concerned a valuation agreement. English law applied. Venue – London
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Asian alternative investment management firm (Defendant) in a SIAC arbitration commenced by two Singaporean individuals in connection with an investment in Asia. Related proceedings in the BVI courts. English law applied.
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U.S. private equity company (Claimant) in an ICC arbitration against a Turkish entity concerning an investment in Turkey. English law applied. Venue – London.
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German high end outdoor furniture maker (Defendant) in an ICC arbitration (and related U.S. court proceedings) against a U.S. distributor. English law applied. Venue – London
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U.S. automotive repair company (Defendant) in two UNCITRAL arbitrations against two French and Spanish automotive repair companies. Swiss law applied. Venue – Geneva. Related court proceedings in Illinois and Italy.
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Swiss pharmaceutical company (Defendant) in two ICC arbitrations against a U.S. pharmaceutical company concerning disputes under a commercial agreement for the development and marketing of iron drugs. NY and English law applied. Venue – London.
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U.S. energy company (Claimant) in two ICC arbitrations concerning a power project in Qatar. Qatari law applied. Venue – London.
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U.S. energy company (Claimant) in ICC arbitration proceedings against a European consortium concerning a slow speed diesel power plant in a Caribbean State. Issues included misrepresentation and fraud. English law applied. Venue – Toronto.
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French Claimant in three ICC arbitrations concerning the telecommunications sector. French, German and Belgian law applied. Venue – Brussels.
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English manufacturer (Claimant) in three LCIA arbitration against a U.S. distributor concerning disputes under a series of commercial agreements for the distribution of a chemical. Swiss and Virginia Law applied. Venue – London.
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English manufacturer (Defendant) in an LCIA arbitration against a U.S. entity concerning a dispute arising out a pricing mechanism contained in a commercial contract. English Law applied. Venue – London.
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Consortium of five U.S. and Spanish banks (Claimants) in an LCIA arbitration concerning a political risk insurance policy covering expropriatory events in Latin America. English law applied. Venue – London.
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Spanish bank (Claimant) in two LCIA arbitrations concerning political risk insurance policies covering expropriatory events in Latin America. NY and English law apply. Venue – London.
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U.S./Egyptian company in an ICSID arbitration against the Arab Republic of Egypt, concerning the Egyptian cotton industry.
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Middle Eastern publicly traded company (Claimant) in an ICC arbitration arising out of a customs enhancement programme in Africa. Kenyan law applied. Venue – London.
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Middle Eastern publicly traded company (Claimant) in an ICSID arbitration arising out of a customs enhancement programme in South America.
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Middle Eastern telecommunications operator (Claimant) in two ICC arbitrations arising out of a joint venture in Yemen. Yemeni law applied. Venue – London.
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Multi-national mining corporation (Claimant) in ICC arbitration proceedings arising out of the disposal of a controlling interest in a mining joint venture. Laws of Western Australia applied. Venue – London.
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Hong Kong based Claimant in LCIA arbitration proceedings concerning the break-up of an international commercial real estate joint venture. Sole Arbitrator.
International Litigation
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FTV Capital in a long running shareholder dispute with the founder and majority shareholder of ETFS Capital Limited. This dispute culminated in an unfair prejudice petition in the Jersey courts in which FTV Capital prevailed in establishing unfair prejudice and obtained an order for a buy-out by the majority shareholder.
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International cosmetics company in a post M&A dispute involving warranty claims as well as employment law issues.
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Chairman of a Middle Eastern telecoms company (Defendant) against an Italian businessman in the largest case by quantum in the Chancery Division of the High Court in 2007 arising out of the largest LBO in Europe. The case proceeded to the English Court of Appeal ([2010] EWCA Civ 1427) and the UK Supreme Court in 2015.
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Global private equity firm and two of its directors (Defendants) in a litigation before the English Court commenced by another private equity firm in connection with a potential transaction. The case included serious allegations of conspiracy/dishonest assistance.
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Multi-jurisdictional litigation in connection with civil and criminal claims against a European high net worth individual. Sums at stake exceeded $2 billion.
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Individual (Claimant) in a litigation in the English High Court against a private equity business arising out of a partnership split.
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Middle Eastern Bank (Defendant) in litigation in the English High Court against a French food distribution entity concerning allegations of fraud.
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Middle Eastern logistics company in the enforcement of an arbitration award against an African government.
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Swiss Bank in a potential litigation in the English courts concerning the transfer of financial instruments which were blocked by sanctions.
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U.S. pharmaceutical company (Defendant) in a litigation in the English High Court against a European pharmaceutical corporation arising out of the breakdown of a joint venture arrangement in the field of clinical trials. English law applied.
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African telecommunications company (Defendant) in a litigation in the courts of the Eastern Caribbean Circuit against a Middle Eastern entity concerning an alleged breach of a Heads of Agreement. BVI law applied.
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UK Claimant in a passing off/copyright infringement in the English High Court for an international yacht building company.
White Collar
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Educational institution in connection with a #MeToo investigation.
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European oil and gas business in an extensive FCPA compliance review resulting from a joint investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the SEC.
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UK chemical manufacturing company in an FCPA investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and SEC and the UK’s SFO arising out of the Iraqi Oil for Food Programme.
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Various internal investigations regarding employee conduct.
Prior Experience
Shearman and Sterling LLP, London, UK
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Senior Associate, 1999–2005
Clifford Chance, London, UK
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Associate, 1997–1999
More
Thought Leadership
Publications
Co-author, “Enforcement of Awards”, Arbitration in the International Energy Industry, March 2019
Co-author, “Increased Transparency in International Commercial Arbitration”, Financier Worldwide, August 2016
Author, “Taking Risks and Finding Support”, WILEF Tribune, June 2016
“Q&A with Kirkland & Ellis' Rajinder Bassi”, Law360, April 2016
Author, “United Kingdom”, Annual Review: Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2015
Seminars
Spoke on the topic of Case Management of Arbitrations at the National Initiative Towards Strengthening Arbitration and Enforcement in India conference in New Delhi on 22 October 2016
Spoke on the topic of “Ensuring the Next Generation of Women Leaders in Dispute Resolution Mirrors Representation in Law Schools” at the C5 conference on “Women in Dispute Resolution” on 23 June 2015
Spoke on the topic of “Ambition — The Fuel for Your Career Engine” at the London launch of Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) on 25 June 2015
Memberships & Affiliations
Co-chair of Women In Law Empowerment Forum, London
Member, London Court of International Arbitration
Member, International Bar Association
Member, ICC (UK)
Fellow, Royal Society of Arts
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- 1997, Admitted to practice as a Solicitor of England and Wales
Languages
- English
- Punjabi
Education
- The University of Law, ChesterLegal Practice Coursewith Distinction1994
- The University of SheffieldLL.B.Hons.1993