Kawsar Zaman is an experienced barrister enjoying a diverse practice, with particular expertise in Employment, Regulatory and Public Law.
He has appeared before a range of courts and specialist tribunals and is regularly instructed in complex matters – beyond his level of call – both as an advocate as well as in an advisory and investigatory capacity.
Before becoming a Barrister, Kawsar was a solicitor at ‘Magic Circle’ law firms Clifford Chance LLP and Allen and Overy LLP in London, where he specialised in Financial Services Regulatory Law acting for some of the world’s largest corporate and financial institutions on a range of high-profile matters. He also worked on high- value International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation matters, complex Banking and Finance transactions, and in forming Private Funds.
Kawsar graduated with a First-Class law degree from the London School of Economics, before reading for the BCL at Oxford University as an OCIS Scholar, and then the LLM at Harvard Law School, where he was Fulbright Scholar. In 2009, he was a Global Fellow of the Prime Minister.
He has served as a visiting lecturer in law at the Univeristy of Law and taught law to students at Queen Mary, University of London and the London School of Economics.
He is currently a senior publicly elected official as an Alderman of the City of London.
Kawsar is accredited to accept direct instructions from members of the public where appropriate.
Kawsar has advised and acted for both claimants and respondents on the full range of statutory employment law matters. He frequently appears before the Employment Tribunal including in matters involving: unfair dismissal; direct and indirect discrimination; redundancy; equal pay; harassment; victimisation; whistleblowing; employment status issues; and specific disclosure. He has a particular interest in discrimination cases and those involving a financial and/or corporate element.
Instructions have included:
In addition to court work, Kawsar provides training and seminars to law firms, corporate and financial institutions as well as charities on a range of employment law matters. He is instructed in pre-litigation matters including advising on: settlement and compromise agreements; handling internal grievance and disciplinary proceedings; and drafting policy documents.
Kawsar is also a CEDR Accredited Mediator. He accepts instructions to act as a Mediator or as a Mediation Advocate, from both professional clients and on a direct access basis.
Kawsar is an experienced investigator and has led, as sole investigator, internal investigations and inquiries in various sectors. He is adept at interviewing witnesses and producing reports with findings and recommendations.
Investigations have included:
Kawsar has advised a range of clients (employee and employer) in drafting and concluding settlement agreements across a range of sectors principally in a corporate and commercial context.
Kawsar is a CEDR Accredited Mediator. He accepts instructions to act as a Mediator or as a Mediation Advocate from both professional clients and on a direct access basis.
Kawsar’s wide legal knowledge and experience is supplemented by a firm understanding of what is required of mediators, including: a commitment to putting parties back in control; a detailed understanding of the facts and key issues; an ability to build rapport with and listen to all participants; an appreciation of the need to maintain momentum; and an ability to explore practical solutions to problems.
Ultimately, Kawsar recognises that mediation is designed to resolve disputes to avoid costly and protracted litigation. Kawsar is acknowledged in his leadership and dispute resolution qualities evidence by his current and former roles such as being a director, trustee, and governor of various national and international charities and organisations.
Successfully representing, as sole junior, a group of 74 claimants in a class action against Carillion plc, in a 10-day preliminary hearing. The compulsory liquidation of Carillion plc is described by the Insolvency Service as the largest and most complex trading liquidation in the UK. Kawsar’s oral advocacy and submissions were praised by co-counsel as “very persuasive and attractive”.
Successfully representing the respondent, senior Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd MP, in an unfair dismissal claim. Following cross-examination of the claimant and arguments in respect of limitation, the claim was struck out. Instructed by Clyde & Co.
Successfully representing the respondent, Derby City Council, on a complex 10-day pregnancy and maternity discrimination, victimisation and sexual harassment case.
Successfully representing the claimant, a gas engineer, in a 7-day unfair dismissal, disability discrimination and holiday pay claim against British Gas.
Kawsar Zaman is a specialist education, equality, and public law barrister.
He regularly acts on behalf of children and young people, vulnerable adults, parents and carers, schools, local authorities, charities / NGOs, government departments, students, and universities.
Kawsar has significant experience in working with children and young people with disabilities, mental health conditions, and special educational needs. He appears frequently before the First-Tier Tribunal in disability discrimination claims and appeals relating to the contents of Education, Health and Care Plans.
As a secondary school governor for 10 years and as a former visiting member of the teaching staff at two leading universities in London, Kawsar has a very strong understanding of all aspects of issues and policies concerning educational establishments from safeguarding to school exclusions.
With a significant related practice in Employment Law and Investigations, Kawsar has substantial experience in discrimination matters, particularly those arising under the Equality Act 2010.
In addition to court work, Kawsar provides training and seminars to clients on a range of regulatory matters ranging from safeguarding to GDPR implications. He is instructed in pre-litigation matters including advising on: policy reviews; handling internal grievance and disciplinary proceedings; and drafting policy documents.
Kawsar is a CEDR Accredited Mediator. He accepts instructions to act as a Mediator or as a Mediation Advocate, from both professional clients and on a direct access basis.
Kawsar has significant experience in working with children and young people with disabilities, mental health conditions, and special educational needs. He appears frequently before the First-Tier Tribunal in disability discrimination claims and appeals relating to the contents of Education, Health and Care Plans.
As a secondary school governor for 10 years and as a former visiting member of the teaching staff at two leading universities in London, Kawsar has a very strong understanding of all aspects of issues and policies concerning educational establishments from safeguarding to school exclusions.
With a significant related practice in Employment Law and Investigations, Kawsar has substantial experience in discrimination matters, particularly those arising under the Equality Act 2010.
In addition to court work, Kawsar provides training and seminars to clients on a range of regulatory matters ranging from safeguarding to GDPR implications. He is instructed in pre-litigation matters including advising on: policy reviews; handling internal grievance and disciplinary proceedings; and drafting policy documents.
Kawsar practices the following areas:
Kawsar is a CEDR Accredited Mediator. He accepts instructions to act as a Mediator or as a Mediation Advocate from both professional clients and on a direct access basis.
Kawsar’s wide legal knowledge and experience is supplemented by a firm understanding of what is required of mediators, including: a commitment to putting parties back in control; a detailed understanding of the facts and key issues; an ability to build rapport with and listen to all participants; an appreciation of the need to maintain momentum; and an ability to explore practical solutions to problems.
Ultimately, Kawsar recognises that mediation is designed to resolve disputes to avoid costly and protracted litigation. Kawsar is acknowledged in his leadership and dispute resolution qualities evidence by his current and former roles such as being a director, trustee, and governor of various national and international charities and organisations.
Kawsar has a specialist focus on Higher Education Law, advising and representing universities, colleges, academic staff, and students in complex and sensitive matters. His practice combines deep knowledge of public law, regulatory compliance, employment, equality law, and governance in the education sector.
Kawsar’s understanding of the education sector is enhanced by his experiences as a graduate of leading universities including the LSE, Oxford and Harvard Law School, and as a past Visiting Lecturer at the University of Law, Teaching Associate at Queen Mary University of London, Guest Teacher at the LSE and as a former governor at a secondary school for 10 years.
Kawsar accepts instructions in cases involving academic misconduct, student complaints and appeals, fitness to practise, discrimination, disciplinary hearings, and judicial reviews arising from decisions made by higher education institutions. He also advises on policies, governance frameworks, and statutory duties under the Education Act 1994, HERA 2017, and the Equality Act 2010.
Specialist areas include:
• Student Disputes & Appeals
Representation in internal hearings and judicial reviews related to degree classification, expulsion, and academic integrity.
• Fitness to Practise
Acting for institutions and individuals in proceedings concerning medical, teaching, and social work courses.
• Equality & Discrimination Law
Claims involving disability discrimination, reasonable adjustments, and the Public Sector Equality Duty.
• University Governance & Statutory Duties
Advising on Office for Students (OfS) regulation, freedom of speech duties, and university disciplinary procedures.
• Academic Employment
Advice and representation in academic employment disputes including redundancy, grievance, and whistleblowing.
• Freedom of Speech & Protest
Navigating the complex interaction between institutional duties and rights under the Human Rights Act 1998.
Advising the head of an academic department at a leading university (earning £185,000 per year) on claims in respect of discrimination at work, whistleblowing, damage to reputation and breach of data, constructive unfair dismissal rights, and settlement negotiations.
Philip Rule KC and Kawsar Zaman are speaking at the Commonwealth Law Conference, see the details to register below. Philip Rule KC is chairing the…
Kawsar Zaman has successfully represented the Labour Party’s Sir Tony Lloyd, the Member of Parliament for Rochdale, as the Respondent in Employment Tribunal proceedings. The…
"I would like to convey my sincerest thanks for your professionalism and consistently high-quality support and guidance. You represented me in a manner which elicited my trust and confidence. You went well beyond a simple professional transaction. I always felt valued and respected."
Philip Rule KC and Kawsar Zaman are speaking at the Commonwealth Law Conference, see the details to register below. Philip Rule KC is chairing the…
Kawsar Zaman has successfully represented the Labour Party’s Sir Tony Lloyd, the Member of Parliament for Rochdale, as the Respondent in Employment Tribunal proceedings. The…
