With an active cross-border practice, the ‘truly unique firm’ Zaiwalla & Co has developed particular expertise in the impact of international sanctions regimes on banking activities. The team is regularly called upon by international banks for representation against other major banking institutions and governments. ’Amazing lawyer’ Leigh Crestohl brings extensive banking litigation experience to the team. Kartik Mittal is ‘extremely responsive and committed’ and experienced in the representation of international banks in UK litigation, as well as in disputes against Indian banks. Stephanie Limaco is another name to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The senior partner Sarosh Zaiwalla and Leigh Crestohl are very capable senior solicitors in this field. They are ably supported by a group of highly motivated solicitors and legal assistants.’

  • ‘Zaiwalla & Co it's a boutique legal practice. Because of that they have a great capacity of being dedicated personally and around the clock to their cases and their clients. They have a great diversity of workers and they all have a great sense of partnership and collaboration.’

  • ‘Leigh Crestohl is an amazing lawyer, dedicated to his work and always available to answer any given questions that his clients may have. Kartik Mittal is a bright lawyer, available around the clock to help his clients and with a very high sense of responsibility. Stephanie Limaco is an excellent bilingual lawyer, very intelligent and with great attention to details.’

  • ‘Each member of the team had been chosen for the specific skills needed, but also all members had the full picture in view.’

  • ‘Zaiwalla & Co is a premium disputes firm in banking litigation, specialising in complex international cases. Despite having a relatively small team, the quality is very high and their ability to conduct multiple major cases marks them out from the competition.’

  • ‘Sarosh Zaiwalla remains at the top of his game as one of the leading disputes solicitors in London. He brings ingenuity commitment and an extraordinary breadth of experience to every matter. He is highly trusted by clients and has conducted some of the most important litigation in multiple fields over the decades.'

  • ‘A truly unique firm led by the eponymous Sarosh Zaiwalla and backed by a very talented dedicated team. The firm provides 360 degree client care to some of the most commercial clients litigating in London today.’

  • ‘Sarosh Zaiwalla, Leigh Crestohl, Kartik Mittal and Stephanie Limaro together with their associates and staff amounts to a very talented offering.’

Key clients

  • Central Bank Venezuela
  • Melli Bank
  • Oleg Sergeev
  • Said Gutseriev
  • Nixie Marine/Virgo Marine

Work highlights

  • Acting for the Central Bank of Venezuela in a $980m Supreme Court matter against the Bank of England relating to Venezuela’s gold reserves.
  • Acting for Bank Melli in a $7.5m claim against ICBC Bank in relation to funds frozen in ICBC bank accounts.
  • Acting for a Dubai-based shipping company in a breach of contract claim against the law firm Reed Smith, who joined Barclays Bank as a party to the proceedings.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Sarosh Zaiwalla

Other key lawyers

Leigh Crestohl, Kartik Mittal, Stephanie Limaco