Gatehouse Chambers

Rajiv Bhatt is a specialist commercial, employment and construction law barrister.  He has extensive experience as a trial advocate.

He is ranked as leading junior in both Chambers UK and The Legal 500 for employment law.  His clients comment that Rajiv is a “meticulous barrister”, he “gets to grips with the details, he is hands-on, he is a very strong advocate and deals well with issues that arise during hearings”, “he gets into the detail, he’s there by your side the whole way, he provides commercial advice, he is hard-working and responsive, and he is very good on his feet” and with one client commenting in particular that “I’d always want him on my team”.

Rajiv was awarded the Lexology Client Choice Award 2021 for employment law. He was nominated for this award by his clients and was shortlisted following market analysis by Lexology. In winning this award Rajiv beat off competition from Partners and KCs specialising in employment law.  The award recognises the value Rajiv’s clients place on his work.

Rajiv’s commercial practice covers areas such as civil fraud, partnership and shareholder disputes, banking and finance related disputes, contractual disputes, breach of fiduciary duties and trusts disputes.

Rajiv’s employment practice complements his commercial practice and he has significant experience of employee competition cases including applying for and obtaining injunctive relief.  Rajiv is also a specialist in discrimination and whistleblowing law.

Rajiv undertakes a wide variety of construction related disputes including disputes concerning interim payments, allegations of professional negligence and defects.  Rajiv acts in adjudications for both referring and responding parties.  Rajiv is currently acting in a multimillion dollar dispute on behalf of an owner of a hotel building in West Africa against an international hotel brand in a case concerning mould infestation with allegations of mismanagement and design issues.

Rajiv has a significant international practice having been instructed in disputes in Luxembourg, France, Pakistan, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Guinea, and the Cayman Islands. Rajiv is also registered in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC).

Rajiv also has a particular interest in Sports law and is a panel member of Sports Resolutions.

Prior to coming to the Bar Rajiv trained as a commercial solicitor at the international law firm, Reed Smith LLP. Whilst at Reed Smith, Rajiv worked on various commercial disputes ranging from intellectual property to shipping, insurance and finance law. His prior experience of being a solicitor makes him perfectly placed to meet client expectations and provide an effective and tailored service.

Rajiv is a contributor to Paul Reed KC’s book, “Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance” 2nd edition.

Prior to coming to the Bar Rajiv trained as a commercial solicitor at international law firm, Reed Smith LLP. Whilst at Reed Smith, Rajiv was involved in the high profile age discrimination case of John McCririck v Channel 4 and IMG Media (Case no: 2200478/2013). Rajiv also worked on various commercial disputes ranging from intellectual property to shipping, insurance and finance law. His prior experience of being a solicitor makes him perfectly placed to meet client expectations and provide an effective and tailored service.

Call: 2014

Gujarati

Employment Lawyers Association Industrial Law Society London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association Sport Resolutions Pro Bono Legal Advice Panel LawInSport Plus member Personal Injury Bar Association Society of Construction Law TECBAR

Shelford Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn (2014) LLM, Commercial Law, Jesus College, University of Cambridge (2012) LLB, English & European Law, Queen Mary College, University of London (2010) (1st Class) LLB, ERASMUS year, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium (2009) (1st Class)