Vertex Chambers

The firm: Vertex Chambers was formed by Junayed Ahmed Chowdhury, Sajeda Farisa Kabir and Romel Chowdhury, all barristers of Lincoln’s Inn and advocates of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. We provide efficient and cost effective representation and advice to our clients in business and commercial matters. We are approachable, user-friendly and prepared to work as a part of a team.

Our members are well equipped to deal with the complexities presented by the 21st century legal issues. Our strategic connections in the United States, Europe, South America, Middle East and Asia coupled with our extensive knowledge of the local market put us in a unique position to serve our clients well in international as well as local business transactions and litigation and dispute resolution matters.

The firm has grown from three partners and one associate to four partners and eight associates since its inception.

Types of work undertaken: Acted as the local consultant for World Bank and Bangladesh Bank in a government project for promulgating a secured transaction law for movable collateral with a secured transaction registry.

Drafted the ‘Bangladesh Municipal Bond Act’ for the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh.

Advised one of the world-renowned dredging companies on the laws relating to Public Private Partnership (PPP), income tax, value added tax, public procurement, construction and infrastructure, corporate, and banking and finance in connection with dredging activities to be undertaken by the client in Bangladesh.

Advised, structured and drafted agreements on the first ever Islamic rental-based sukuk (bond) called ‘Sukuk-al-Ijara’ valued at US$12.5m for one of the largest food processing companies in Bangladesh.

Successfully represented the historic Hussaini Dalan Imambara both before the Appellate Division and the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh in a Judicial Review (writ) challenging an unauthorised real estate development in the neighbouring land.

Successfully represented a leading international cotton supplier in defending an appeal before the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh in a case involving cross border supply of cotton under an English law governed contract containing an arbitration clause (held in London).

Advised one of the largest international organisations operating in Bangladesh regarding Carnet de Passage held by foreign employees of the organisation.

Represented Grameenphone (the largest Bangladeshi telecommunications operator) in a writ petition filed against the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for imposition of an administrative fine amounting to US$3.5m.

Represented British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) in a dispute with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) involving deduction of VAT at source (valued at US$18.75m).

Successfully represented the client in a landmark case where the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh declared the hefty conversion fee imposed by the Dhaka city development authority (RAJUK) on commercial use of residential properties as illegal.

Structured one of the first venture capital funds under the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Alternative Investment) Rules 2015 for a group of investors.

Advised as common legal counsel for both the lender and the borrower in connection with a syndicated loan transaction, for the purpose of procuring capital machinery for one of the leading power generation companies in Bangladesh.

Advised one of the largest international NGOs on its corporate governance restructuring in 19 subsidiaries located in ten different countries.

Advised a leading foreign investment facilitator on its investment of US$10m in a microfinance institution in Bangladesh.

Advised one of the largest Bangladeshi telecommunications operators on separating its tower-sharing business units by way of demerger.