Ghazan Mahmood
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Personal Profile
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Appointments:
DEPUTY DISTRICT JUDGE (CIVIL) (appointed 2010)
HEAD OF THE EMPLOYMENT GROUP (since 2009)
Ghazan Mahmood has been consistently ranked as a leading barrister in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. Some of the more recent comments are as follows:
“The “very promising” Ghazan Mahmood has established a niche in medical disciplinary hearings.” Legal 500 (2007 Edition)
“With a thorough grasp of the facts and equal pay expertise Ghazan Mahmood joins this year’s ranking. Ghazan Mahmood has been involved in some large race discrimination employment claims, including Chaudhary v BMA and Chaudhary v Secretary of State. Most recently he was instrumental in the Court of Appeal, acting for Jan de Rijk Transport in the case of Sandhu v Jan De Rijk Transport (2007). It is expected to help clarify the difference between a resignation and a dismissal.” Chambers and Partners (2008 Edition)
“Ghazan Mahmood is an accomplished hand in EAT instructions” Legal 500 (2008 and 2009 Editions)
“Ghazan Mahmood displays ‘tenacity, common sense and a constructive approach” in all he does. In addition to contractual disputes, he has handled a number of race discrimination claims.” Chambers and Partners (2009 Edition)
"Ghazan Mahnmood has had a very successful year in and out of the Court of Appeal, representing unions and individual claimants in some widely reported cases, most notably Chaudhary v Secretary of State on issues arising from the Race Relations Act 1976." Chambers and Partners (2010 Edition)
“St Johns Buildings recommended Juniors include Ghazan Mahmood” Legal 500 (2010 edition)
"He impresses particularly in contractual disputes and discrimination claims. He has "an impressive grasp of the law" Chambers UK (2011 Edition)
TYPE OF PRACTICE:
Employment law: Both Claimant and Respondent.
Commercial Law: including hire purchase, consumer credit, contractual, finance disputes of all kinds. Special emphasis on issues relating to the Consumer Credit Act
Awarded:
Sweet & Maxwell Law Prize (1996);
Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Scholarship (1996)
Inner Temple Scholarship (1996)
Leonard Sainer Legal Education Scholarship by Titmus Sainer Dechert (1997)
Jardine Studentship (1997)
Positions:
Deputy District Judge (2010)
Head of Employment (2009)
Part-time Advocacy Tutor on the Bar Vocational Course at MMU. (2001-2008)
Part-time tutor in Contract law. (Brunel University, 1997-1999)
Areas of Expertise:
Email: clerk@stjohnsbuildings.co.uk
Telephone: 0161 214 1500
Employment
Experience in employment related contractual disputes (including claims for commission and bonuses), restrictive covenants, disputes arising out of the termination of employment, illegal contracts, public interest disclosure (whistle blowing), redundancy and unfair dismissal claims. Appears in the employment tribunal, EAT, Court of Appeal, County Court and High Court.
Particular experience of race, sex (including Equal pay) and disability discrimination cases acting for claimants and respondents. Appeared in the EAT and the Court of Appeal on several occasions. Junior Counsel in several leading decisions including:
• Dr Hameed v Central Manchester And Manchester Children’s University NHS Trust [2010] EWHC 2009 (QB); Led by David Berkley QC. 5 day High Court action. The Claim revolved around the applicability and affect of ‘MHPS’ on the Claimant’s contract of employment. Permission to appeal has been granted on the arguments around the applicability of Article 6 in the context of a disciplinary hearing.
• BMA v Chaudhary (2007) IRLR 800; (2007) 97 BMLR 15; (2007) LS Law Medical 554; Led by J Hendy QC. Appeal lasted 11 days in the Court of Appeal and involved consideration of several issues arising out of the RRA 1976, including the impact of s,57(3) on the issue of damages.
• Chaudhary v Secretary of State (2007) EWCA Civ 789; 3 day appeal before the Court of Appeal (following a 10 day trial led by G Millar QC) on several issues arising out of the RRA 1976 (including comparators, disparate impact, justification etc)
• Sandhu v Jan De Rijk Tranpsort Ltd (2007) IRLR 519 : (2007) ICR 1137; Court of Appeal: appeal on the distinction between a forced resignation and a dismissal.
• Chaudhary v Secretary of State [2006] EWCA Civ 1648; appeal concerning the admissibility of without prejudice material obtained in an action involving different parties.
• Chaudhary v Royal College of Surgeons (2005) EWCA Civ 282; Appeal on the issue of the limits imposed by s.54(2) RRA 1976;
• Dr Phatak v STA Panel (2004) 80 BMLR 151; 2 day appeal on jurisdictional issues arising under the RRA 1976.
• Dr Jhadav & others v BMA (2004); 6 week ET hearing. Class action involving a number of doctors. Resulted in a 6 figure settlement.
• Dr Bera v West Midlands Deanery (2003); 10 day trial. Resulted in a 6 figure settlement;
• Malkan v West Midlands Deanery (2002); Led by D Berkley QC; Court of Appeal;
• Dr Abdul Baten Jalal Ahmed v General Medical Council (2001) UKPC 49; (2002) 66 BMLR 52; Privy Counsel
Mr Mahmood has been involved in a number of large discrimination claims, lasting between 5-30 days. He is, at present, involved in an appeal to the Court of Appeal from the High Court on the issue of the requirements imposed by s.68(4) of the RRA 1976 (the requirement to sit with lay assessors) and the requirements imposed by the CPR in terms of pleading a complaint of discrimination in a civil court.
Commercial
Experience includes all types of commercial/finance disputes. Mr Mahmood has considerable experience of dealing with Consumer Credit/Hire Purchase related arguments (etc). He has extensive experience of dealing with contractual disputes and was previously a Contract Law Tutor at Brunel University.
Mr Mahmood was appointed a Deputy District Judge (civil) in 2010.
He has been led in several trials over the last few years. The following cases are of note:
• Kenfil Construction Limited v Caldwell (2005); 3 day High Court trial before Mr Justice Patten, the Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster; claim for rectification of a written agreement, injunction and substantial damages.
• Bimal Kumar & Anor v United Bank Ltd (2001) LTL 27/9/2001; Led by D. Berkley QC; regarding the duty of care owed by a bank in relation to the acceptance of bills of exchange.
VAT Tribunal: Mr Mahmood has been involved in several trials/hearings on VAT related claims, both for and against HM Customs & Excise. The following cases are of note:
(a) MDA v HMRC (2007); Led by P Lasock QC. Judicial Review involving a substantial claim for repayment of VAT.
(b) Powell Thorne v Commissioners for Customs & Excise (2004); VAT Tribunal; claim for restoration of a vehicle.
(c) Hanaan Ltd v Commissioners for Customs (2004); Successfully represented HM Customs & Excise on a 2 day appeal against a substantial VAT assessment.
(d) Harding v Commissioners for Customs (2003) LTL 4/8/03; claim for restoration; issues re Human Rights Act.
Membership
Northern Circuit Commercial Bar Association.