Business Details
44 Years
experience
Expert International Disputes Law Firm in London
Established in 1982, Zaiwalla & Co & Co has built a reputation as a pioneering London-based law firm specialising in complex international disputes. With over four decades of experience, our team has been instrumental in landmark cases across UK courts and international arbitration tribunals. Our approach combines originality of thought with strategic efficiency, delivering tailored solutions for clients from Russia, India, China, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. We pride ourselves on partner-led attention, having successfully overturned unfavourable rulings from larger firms while maintaining cost-effectiveness.Our expertise spans international arbitration, commercial litigation, and sanctions law, with a track record of over 125 reported cases shaping English legal precedents. The firm's cultural fluency in multiple languages enables nuanced representation of global clients, particularly in high-stakes disputes involving state entities and multinational corporations.
Services
International Arbitration
Commercial Litigation
Sanctions Law
Aviation Law
Energy Disputes
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- We have handled over 125 reported cases shaping English legal precedents
- Our team overturns unfavourable rulings from larger law firms
- Partner-led approach ensures strategic focus on complex disputes
- Cultural fluency in 7 languages supports global client representation
- Cost-effective solutions for high-value international arbitration cases
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
What people say
Determined and imaginative
Unique, penetrative and tenacious
Eminence grise with the most fantastic touch
Creative approach to win unexpected cases
Extraordinary practice
Services
International Arbitration
With decades of experience in groundbreaking international arbitrations, we represent clients in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes before major institutions like LCIA, ICC, and SIAC. Our team specialises in overturning unfavourable awards and drafting arbitration agreements that protect client interests. We combine strategic legal advice with streamlined processes to achieve successful outcomes in high-value cases, including the landmark USD 50 billion Rosneft award reversal.
Commercial Litigation
We handle complex cross-border litigation for international clients from emerging economies, particularly in Russia, India, and China. Our innovative approach challenges conventional legal thinking to win difficult cases, as demonstrated in our 125+ reported cases. The team's multilingual capabilities and cultural understanding enable effective representation in high-stakes disputes against Magic Circle firms while maintaining cost efficiency.
Sanctions and Public Law
Our sanctions practice specialises in challenging asset freezes and travel bans imposed by UK, EU, and US authorities. With over a decade of experience, we've successfully overturned sanctions against Iranian banks and secured USD 4 billion settlements. We advise on compliance strategies and represent clients in judicial reviews of government decisions affecting commercial interests, including recent cases involving USD 2.1 billion held by the Bank of England.
People
Sarosh Zaiwalla
Senior Partner
Founder of Zaiwalla & Co & Co in 1982, Sarosh specialises in international disputes with particular expertise in Indian and Middle Eastern commercial law. He has represented governments and multinational corporations in landmark cases shaping English legal precedents over four decades.
Kartik Mittal
Partner
Specialising in sanctions law and public international law, Kartik leads complex cases involving UK government decisions and EU sanctions regimes. He has successfully challenged sanctions against Iranian financial institutions and represented clients in high-value commercial litigation.
Leigh Crestohl
Managing Partner
Leigh oversees the firm's international arbitration practice, with extensive experience in maritime and energy disputes. He has represented clients in cases before the London Court of Arbitration and advised on arbitration agreement drafting to prevent future disputes.
Stephanie Milagros Limaco Blas
Senior Associate
Stephanie specialises in Latin American commercial disputes and sanctions compliance. She acts for the Central Bank of Venezuela in USD 1.8 billion gold reserve disputes and advises on maritime law matters involving Spanish and Portuguese-speaking clients.
Paridhi Dixit
Paralegal
Paridhi supports the litigation team with case preparation and legal research, focusing on compliance matters and arbitration documentation. She contributes to cases involving Indian and Chinese commercial law and sanctions enforcement.
Questions
What international arbitration institutions does Zaiwalla & Co & Co & Co work with?
We handle cases before major institutions including LCIA, ICC, DIFC, DIAC, SIAC, and GAFTA, with extensive experience in appeals against arbitration awards in UK courts.
How does the firm handle cross-cultural legal challenges?
Our multilingual team speaks French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Hindi and Urdu, enabling effective communication and cultural understanding in disputes across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
What experience does the firm have with sanctions cases?
We've successfully challenged UK and EU sanctions against Iranian banks, secured USD 4 billion settlements, and currently represent the Central Bank of Venezuela in USD 2.1 billion disputes.
How does Zaiwalla & Co & Co & Co maintain cost-effectiveness?
Our streamlined approach combines partner-led strategy with efficient case management, delivering high-quality representation at competitive rates compared to larger law firms.
What sectors does the firm specialise in?
We focus on aviation, energy infrastructure, maritime law, banking compliance, and corporate crime, with particular expertise in disputes involving emerging market economies.
