Zahrah Sehr Vayani Advocate High Court
Legal areas of expertise: Civil Law, Family Law, Property Law, Banking Laws, Finance, Media, Commercial Law, Arbitration, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property Law, Labor and Service Law and Insurance Law
Years of Practice: 13 Years
Certifications:
Assistant Attorney General of Pakistan – January 2024
First Pakistani woman to be elected internationally in the Lincoln’s Inn Bar Representative Committee in London – November 2022
Appointed as Vice President of YMG CIArb Pakistan Branch – December 2022
Selected as Non-Political Subject Matter and Technical Expert on the Provincial Parliamentary Advisory Committee (Sindh) on Child Abuse – December 2020
CEO Women Lawyers Association since July 2017
Member, Employment Law Bar Association [United Kingdom] since 2008
Conducted several trainings at the Police School of Investigation, Garden Headquarters in Karachi on Witness handling, Effective appearance/conduct in Courts, Evidence handling & numerous PPC topics since August (2020)
Attended the International Family Law Conference in Abu Dhabi (April 2023)
Attended the International Arbitration Law Conference in Spain (September 2023)
Conducted a Seminar on Workplace Harassment under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010 and 2022 amendment with Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection against Harassment (December 2023)
Profile
Barrister Zahrah Sehr Vayani stands as a towering figure in the legal fraternity, renowned for her exceptional legal acumen, profound scholarship, and unwavering commitment to social justice. With a distinguished career spanning over a decade, Ms. Vayani has carved a niche for herself as a formidable advocate, scholar, and champion of human rights. Let’s delve into the intricate tapestry of her educational background, legal career, notable achievements, publications, clients, and contributions to the legal profession.
Educational Background and Qualifications
Ms. Vayani’s journey into the legal realm commenced with her pursuit of academic excellence at the prestigious University of Manchester, where she earned an LLB degree with honors in 2007. This foundational education was further augmented by her enrollment at the esteemed Inns of Court School of Law, where she attained the distinguished qualification of Barrister at Law in 2008. Subsequently, Ms. Vayani embarked on a quest for international legal proficiency, undertaking rigorous studies at BPP London to become a qualified Attorney at Law in New York in 2010.
Legal Career and Professional Accomplishments
Armed with a formidable academic pedigree, Ms. Vayani embarked on a dynamic legal career characterized by her versatility, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice. Upon being called to the Bar, she commenced her legal practice in Karachi, swiftly ascending to prominence as a litigator of exceptional caliber. Over the years, Ms. Vayani has garnered extensive experience across a spectrum of legal domains, including civil, family, corporate, property, banking, media, commercial, arbitration, criminal, and constitutional law.
Her proficiency in navigating complex legal matters has earned her the trust and admiration of a diverse clientele, ranging from multinational corporations to marginalized individuals seeking redressal. Noteworthy among her clients are Pakistan Telecommunications Limited, National Transmission Distribution Company, GEO, Muslim Commercial Bank, Legal Aid Society, and numerous others.
Notable Successes and Achievements
Ms. Vayani’s illustrious career is punctuated by a myriad of notable successes and achievements, each emblematic of her unwavering commitment to excellence and social justice. Some of her notable accomplishments include:
Non Political Subject matter and Technical Expert on the Provincial Parliamentary Advisory Committee Sindh on child abuse: Ms. Vayani’s appointment as a subject matter expert underscores her profound expertise and commitment to addressing critical societal issues.
Chosen as Grazia Magazine’s Glorious 21 of 2020: Recognition by Grazia Magazine attests to Ms. Vayani’s eminence and influence within the legal fraternity and beyond.
Contributor in Legal Journal No.1: Her scholarly contributions to legal journals signify her dedication to advancing legal discourse and scholarship.
Public Interest Litigation: Predictable Continuity and Radical Departures – special mention by the author Mr. Faisal Siddiqui: Acknowledgment by legal scholars underscores Ms. Vayani’s impactful contributions to public interest litigation and legal scholarship.
Nominated for Gender and Diversity champion 2020-2021 Women in Law Awards: Nomination as a champion of gender and diversity underscores Ms. Vayani’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and equality within the legal profession.
Nominated for Advocate of the year 2020-2021- Women in Law Awards: Recognition as a nominee for Advocate of the Year further attests to Ms. Vayani’s exemplary legal advocacy and professional achievements.
Speaker on the three-member panel along with Retired Justice Nasira Iqbal and Justice Ayesha Malik on Gender Diversity and Inclusion at the Bar: Her participation as a speaker alongside esteemed jurists underscores her influence and expertise in promoting gender diversity and inclusion within the legal profession.
Conducted a case before the Commercial Courts of England in 2018 (Rolls building London) representing a Dubai and Islamabad-based company “Interactive E- Solutions” against “O3B Africa limited”: Her successful representation in international commercial litigation demonstrates Ms. Vayani’s proficiency and versatility in navigating complex legal matters on a global scale.
Part of the prosecution team for the Shahrukh Jatoi Trial: Involvement in high-profile criminal proceedings underscores Ms. Vayani’s capability to handle complex and sensitive cases with diligence and expertise.
Extensive speaking engagements on various legal topics: Ms. Vayani’s frequent appearances as a speaker on topics such as transgender rights, inheritance rights, media reporting, divorce, custody cases, and women’s rights to property highlight her commitment to legal education and advocacy.
Conducted several Police trainings on Evidence Collection in criminal matters as well as how to counter Child Beggary: Her involvement in law enforcement training initiatives underscores her dedication to improving legal processes and addressing societal challenges.
Publications
Ms. Vayani’s erudite insights have been immortalized through her scholarly publications, wherein she elucidates upon a myriad of legal topics with remarkable clarity and precision. Noteworthy among her publications are:
“Justice Lens Article on PECA 2016 in Pakistan” (12th November 2023): Unveiling the legal intricacies of the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA) 2016, Ms. Vayani offers invaluable insights into contemporary cyber jurisprudence.
“Friday Times Article on Remarriage and Custody Rights in Pakistan” (04 October 2023): Delving into the societal nuances surrounding remarriage and custody rights, Ms. Vayani’s thought-provoking piece sheds light on pertinent legal issues.
“Post-Divorce Maintenance in Pakistan: A Comparative Perspective”: Ms. Vayani’s scholarly exposition in the Pakistan Journal of Legal Analysis offers a comprehensive analysis of post-divorce maintenance laws, juxtaposing them against international legal frameworks, an article which was published in the Pakistan Journal of Legal Analysis [Article 04, Volume 1 PCrLJ]
Clients
Ms. Vayani’s esteemed clientele includes a diverse array of entities, encompassing corporations, government bodies, non-profit organizations, and individuals. Noteworthy among her clients are:
Pakistan Telecommunications Limited
National Transmission Distribution Company
GEO
DOLLAR Pakistan
Legal Advisor SOCH
KMCHS
Legal Aid Society
Muslim Commercial Bank
Litigation Counsel and on the Panel for Bank of Punjab
Legal Advisor for Save Our Children Foundation
Legal Advisor for ARTS Hospital
Legal Advisor for KOPYKATS Production
Legal Advisor to Jacked Nutrition
Legal Advisor to Every1 Mobile
Legal Advisor to Interactive Group
Litigation Counsel for SPD (Pakistan Machine Tool Factory, SUPARCO, People Steel
Mill, PakNet)
Legal Advisor and Litigation Counsel for NIFT
Legal Advisor and Litigation Counsle for” The Qureshi Group”
Litigation Counsel for Peng’s Beauty and Hair Salon
Barrister Zahrah Sehr Vayani’s illustrious career trajectory exemplifies the pinnacle of legal excellence and advocacy. With a stellar academic background, formidable legal acumen, and unwavering commitment to social justice, Ms. Vayani has left an indelible mark on the legal profession, earning her acclaim and recognition both domestically and internationally. As she continues to champion the cause of justice and equality, Ms. Vayani stands as a beacon of inspiration for legal practitioners and scholars alike, leaving an enduring legacy of integrity, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of justice.