Full Profile
Azhar is currently developing and managing the Knowledge department for the African offices of Clyde & Co.
Azhar has extensive experience in dispute resolution including commercial litigation and insurance litigation (including matters concerning public liability, professional indemnity and aviation), risk, incident management, privacy & data protection and learning & development. Additionally, he has an interest in the fields of legal technology & innovation, cyber law, risk & compliance and Islamic finance, banking & law (Shari'ah Law).
His academic achievements and qualifications include: a Bachelor’s Degree focused in Law from the University of Johannesburg, as well as a Higher Certificate in Islamic Finance, Banking & Law from the Regent Business School. Azhar has successfully completed a course in Compliance Management through the University of Johannesburg and the Global Legal Technology & Innovation Certificate with the Legal Technology & Innovation Institute. Additionally, Azhar successfully completed the Oxford Leading Professional Service Firms Programme with the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and the McKinsey Forward Programme.
Azhar's role includes maintenance of the local department budget, the creation and maintenance of precedents, know-how and other resources, developing and delivering training courses for our lawyers and clients (including developing eLearning training content), overseeing and assisting in the development of the local and electronic Library, monitoring legal developments and developments relating to regulatory and judicial forum processes, guiding our lawyers in their research, developing and maintaining our internal knowledge repository and promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing through defining, supporting and encouraging the use of knowledge to lawyers of all skill levels and roles.
Azhar represents Clyde & Co as an executive member of the Gauteng Attorneys Association (GAA) and Johannesburg Attorneys Association (JAA) in South Africa.
Experience
- Part of the legal team that defended a multinational airline in a multimillion-rand personal injury claim, in the High Court of South Africa
- Part of the legal team that assisted a multinational insurer in defending an insured property development corporation against a professional liability and personal injury claim, in the High Court of South Africa
- Part of the legal team that defended a financial consultancy firm against various professional indemnity allegations lodged at the FAIS ombudsman
- Part of the legal team that defended an international insurance company in a multimillion-rand aviation dispute before the Supreme Court of Appeal
- Part of the legal team that assisted a multinational company in an aviation related dispute in arbitration proceedings
- Part of the legal team that represented a prominent aviation company in a pure economic loss claim in the High Court of South Africa
- Part of the legal team that defended a multinational aviation company in a multimillion-rand claim in the High Court of South Africa for damages and loss of support following a helicopter crash
- Assisted a prominent insurance brokerage in providing advice on an internal mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy
- Advising on and negotiating various commercial contracts in relation to the procurement of various services and resources
- Advised on the Shari’ah (Islamic Law) position relating to interest, and whether a South African bank account in which funds were frozen would be eligible to earn a profit in terms of Shari’ah compliant banking
