Commercial

Overview

Saunak Irani-Nayar is a commercial barrister who specialises in banking, securities and finance litigation, contractual and business-to-business disputes, property disputes and consumer credit litigation.

He appears in both the High Court and the County Court at all stages of proceedings, from interim relief and pre-action advice through to trials and appeals. Saunak has acted in several multi-day trials, Fast Track and Multi Track matters. He is equally comfortable in working in larger counsel teams or as the sole instructed counsel on a case.

Saunak’s significant experience of employment law means he is well placed to act and advise where there is a crossover between commercial and employment law. Recent instructions in this area include appearing as sole counsel in the High Court in a high-value claim involving the alleged misuse of confidential information in the recruitment consultancy industry. The claim included allegations of breach of the terms of the employment contract, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of confidentiality, unlawful means conspiracy, infringement of copyright and unlawful inducement of breach of contract.

Saunak has a strong, active client base for a barrister of his level of call. In particular, he receives instructions from the litigation team of a major international law firm, and regularly acts for defendant banks and financial institutions at interim hearings and trials. He has experience of possession claims, assignments, hire-purchase agreements, return of goods, compliance and enforceability of statutory notices, s.75 connected lender liability, and s.140A unfair relationships under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Saunak has a broad experience of other consumer matters, including equine cases, particularly involving title to horses, purchase and sale disputes (under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Sales of Good Act 1979), and veterinary negligence.

Saunak graduated with a BA and MA degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge and has been awarded several scholarships and prizes for his academic results. Saunak ranked 1st in his year on the GDL, achieving one of the highest sets of marks ever recorded on the course. Following this, he completed the BPTC ranking 2nd in his year and was called to the Bar as the top-ranking student at Middle Temple.

Year of call: 2021

The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)

University of Cambridge, MA (Hons) Economics, 2.i GDL, University of Law (Distinction, ranked 1st in year) BPTC, Inns of Court College of Advocacy (Outstanding, ranked 2nd in year)