Nihad Kabir

Practice Areas

Nihad's practice areas are varied and extensive, spanning civil, commercial, corporate, company, project finance, and banking law matters. Her proficiency in these areas has enabled her to take on complex cases and provide expert legal advice to her clients. As a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and a Senior Partner at Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed & Associates, Nihad has been involved in several constitutional cases of note, including the President's Reference No. 1 of 1995, the first-ever President's reference to the Chief Justice on a matter of constitutional importance under Constitutional provisions in Bangladesh. Her expertise in corporate and company matters, as well as income tax references, has resulted in cases argued by her being reported and used as precedents in the Supreme Court. Nihad has also served as a member of various committees, such as the Company Law Reform Committee, WTO Advisory Committee, and Bankruptcy Law Reform Committee for Bangladesh. Furthermore, her previous role as Legal Counsel to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Bangladesh highlights her knowledge of securities law and regulation.

Career

Nihad is a distinguished senior partner at Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed & Associates and a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, with over 30 years of experience in civil, commercial, corporate, company, project finance and banking law matters.

Nihad's journey began with her obtaining a BA (Hons) degree in Law from Cambridge University in 1988. She was then called to the Bar of England and Wales from Gray’s Inn, London in 1989. Her academic achievements did not stop there; she completed her LLM from Cambridge University in 1991 and was granted her MA in 1993. In the same year, she was enrolled as an Advocate in Bangladesh and as an Advocate of the High Court Division of Bangladesh in 1991. Nihad's illustrious career continued with her enrollment as an Advocate of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh in 2002.

Nihad joined Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed & Associates in 1991 and has been a key member of the team ever since. She has developed her expertise in civil, commercial, corporate, company, project finance and banking law matters. Her most notable involvement has been in several constitutional cases of note. The most significant case was the President’s Reference No.1 of 1995, the first ever President’s reference to the Chief Justice on a matter of constitutional importance under Constitutional provisions in Bangladesh. Nihad was instrumental in assisting Senior Counsel, Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed in his role as amicus curiae. As a Senior Advocate, Nihad routinely appears before the Supreme Court in constitutional, corporate and company matters and income tax references. The cases on double taxation argued by her have been reported and are used as precedents in the Supreme Court.

Nihad's expertise has not gone unnoticed, as she has been appointed to various committees formed by the Government of Bangladesh. She was a member of the Company Law Reform Committee in August 2003, WTO Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Commerce, and Bankruptcy Law Reform Committee for Bangladesh in 1994. In addition, Nihad was the first Legal Counsel to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Bangladesh from 1993-96. Her academic achievements are also impressive, as she taught Company Law at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh in the academic year 1993-94.

Nihad's vast experience in the field has been further enriched by her work as Counsel in the Office of the General Counsel of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila, Philippines from July 1996 to February 2000. During her tenure at the ADB, Nihad worked on a wide range of legal issues relating to project financing, corporate governance, environmental law and public sector management. She was also involved in the development of new and innovative financing structures and instruments for use in ADB operations.

Nihad's experience in the legal profession spans over three decades, and she has been recognized for her exceptional work. Her dedication to her profession has earned her a reputation as a reliable and respected legal practitioner, both in Bangladesh and internationally. As a Senior Partner at Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed & Associates, Nihad continues to provide invaluable guidance and expertise to clients across a range of sectors. Her focus on quality and attention to detail has made her a trusted advisor to many clients.

In conclusion, Nihad's career journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in the legal profession. Her impressive academic achievements and vast experience in various committees and organizations have positioned her as a leading legal expert in Bangladesh. As a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and a Senior Partner at Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed & Associates, Nihad's contributions to the field of law continue to inspire and guide the next generation of legal professionals in the country.