Dr Saif Mahmood
New Delhi | London | Dubai
Summary
Dr. Saif Mahmood is a rare combination of a seasoned litigator, accomplished corporate lawyer, and distinguished legal academic, seamlessly blending practical legal expertise with deep intellectual rigour. An Advocate of the Supreme Court of India with 25 years of experience and known for his presence in high-stakes corporate-commercial litigation, cross-border arbitration, and complex constitutional law matters, he has made his mark as a prominent name in the Indian legal landscape. His work and contributions reflect his commitment to advancing legal thought and practice, making him a known voice in both the courtroom and the legal academia.
In 2022-23, Saif was a Visiting Academic in Law at the University of Oxford, contributing to research and scholarship in Constitutional Law. His professional expertise spans cross-border corporate-commercial law, infrastructure, technology law, and media and entertainment law. With a strong track record of successful court and ADR advocacy, he has handled high-stakes litigation before courts, quasi-judicial bodies and arbitral tribunals, advised major multinational corporations, public sector entities, and NGOs, and led multi-million-dollar transactions across the India-UK-UAE corridor. He has recently been appointed as an arbitrator by the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre.
Recognised as an authority on Islamic Law in India, Saif's work has been cited by a Constitution Bench of the Indian Supreme Court and is part of the curriculum at various law schools. He is a prolific legal writer, contributing to prominent law journals and periodicals and co-edits the ‘Quarterly Bar Review’, the official journal of the Delhi High Court Bar.
Saif has spoken extensively at prestigious international legal conferences, symposia, and academic events, addressing diverse audiences on key legal issues. He has held significant positions in legal organisations across the world, contributing to global discourse on law, policy, and governance.
Beyond law, Saif is a well-known Urdu literature and culture expert, a sought-after public speaker, and a translator. He currently serves as Vice President of Urdu Culture London and Trustee of Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu UK, promoting South Asian literary and cultural heritage globally.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Advocate
Supreme Court of India & State High Courts
New Delhi, India
08.2000 - Current
- Corporate-Commercial Litigation & Arbitration: Extensive experience in high-stakes corporate-commercial litigation, infrastructure, power and energy disputes, media & entertainment law, and arbitration.
- Complex Dispute Resolution: Successfully represented clients in complex disputes before various Indian courts, as well as international and domestic arbitral tribunals.
- Landmark Constitutional Challenges: Appeared in landmark constitutional law challenges before the Supreme Court and state High Courts, shaping key legal precedents. Appeared in the urgent overnight hearing before the Supreme Court in the high-profile Karnataka defection case, garnering significant attention.
- Expertise in Islamic Law: Recognised authority on Islamic Law, with expertise cited by a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India.
Joint Managing Partner
CMI & Co.
01.2022 - Current
A full-service law firm with offices in New Delhi and Dubai. Demonstrated exceptional leadership and legal expertise in various sectors including:
- Leadership & Management: Overseeing firm operations, strategic planning, and client relations, contributing to CMI & Co.'s growth and reputation.
- Innovative Legal Strategies: Known for crafting tailored legal strategies and solutions for high-stakes disputes.
- Multimillion-Dollar Transactions: Successfully led and closed high-value deals, showcasing proficiency in complex negotiations, particularly in the India-UK-UAE Business and Investments Corridor.
- Sector Expertise: Advised clients in the hospitality, real estate, infrastructure, technology, media & entertainment and education sectors, providing tailored legal solutions.
- Diverse Client Portfolio: Advising multinational corporations, public sector entities, and high-net-worth individuals on critical legal and business challenges.
Visiting Academic
University of Oxford
, UK
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Human Rights & Constitutional Law: Contributing to research and scholarship in Human Rights and Constitutional Law at the prestigious Bonavero Institute of Human Rights.
- Law & Literature: Contributing to the intersection of law and literature, exploring the impact of legal frameworks on literary narratives and vice versa.
Founder-Managing Partner
Amicus Juris Lawyers (later merged with CMI & Co.)
, India
12.2001 - 12.2021
- Founder & Managing Partner: Spearheading the firm’s growth and strategic direction with a focus on high-profile litigation across India.
- Extensive Legal Experience: Providing expert counsel in corporate-commercial law, infrastructure, power & energy, media and entertainment, constitutional matters, arbitration, and regulatory frameworks.
- Diverse Client Base: Representing multinational corporations, high-net-worth individuals, public sector entities, and NGOs in complex legal challenges across multiple jurisdictions.
- Leadership & Innovation: Driving innovative legal strategies to deliver successful outcomes for clients in high-value disputes.
- Court & Tribunal Appearances: Appeared in courts across India and in international and domestic tribunals, handling complex disputes.
Junior Advocate
Chambers of Dr Abhishek Singhvi, Senior Advocate
, India
08.2000 - 12.2001
- Early Career: Began legal career at the prestigious chambers of India's foremost lawyer, Dr. Abhishek Singhvi, Senior Advocate, Member of Parliament, and former Additional Solicitor General of India.
- Training & Mentorship: Completed two years of rigorous training under Dr. Singhvi, gaining invaluable exposure to high-profile cases and legal strategies.
- Landmark Cases: Played an integral role in landmark cases that have shaped the Indian legal landscape, contributing to significant legal precedents.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Law
Amity University
National Capital Region, IndiaCertificate - Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution
United Nations Institute for Training and Research
Geneva, SwitzerlandMaster of Laws (LLM) - Law
University of Kurukshetra
IndiaBachelor of Laws (LLB) - Law
University of Delhi
IndiaPost Graduate Diploma - English Journalism
BVB’s Sardar Patel Institute of Communication & Management
New Delhi, IndiaBA (Honours) - Political Science
University of Delhi
IndiaSkills
- India-UK-UAE business & investments corridor
- High-stakes corporate transactions
- Hospitality & Real Estate
- Infrastructure, Energy & Power
- Strategic business advising
- Media & Entertainment
- Technology
- Complex dispute resolution
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Affiliations
- Supreme Court Bar Association
- Delhi High Court Bar Association
- South Delhi Bar Association
- Indian Council of Arbitration
- The Indian Law Institute
- Association of British Scholars, India
- India International Centre
- Press Club of India
Languages
English
Fluent
Urdu
Native
Hindi (including the Awadhi dialect)
Native
Persian
Elementary
Appearance in Courts and Tribunals
International Tribunals
Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre (appointed as Arbitrator)
ICC International Court of Arbitration
Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
Delhi International Arbitration Centre
Foreign Courts (assisted counsel in proceedings)
High Court of Justice, London, UK
DIFC Courts, Dubai
Dubai Civil & Criminal Courts
Los Angeles District Court, USA
Indian Courts
Supreme Court of India
High Court of Delhi
Allahabad High Court
Bombay High Court
Calcutta High Court
Chhatisgarh High Court
Gauhati High Court
Himachal Pradesh High Court
High Court at Hyderabad
Jammu & Kashmir High Court
Karnataka High Court
Madhya Pradesh High Court
Madras High Court
Patna High Court
Punjab & Haryana High Court
Rajasthan High Court
Uttarakhand High Court
District & Sessions Courts and Special Courts throughout India
Indian Tribunals & Commissions
National Company Law Tribunal
Competition Commission & Appellate Commission
Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (National & State)
Debt Recovery Tribunals & Appellate Tribunals
Election Commission of India
Foreign Exchange Management Appellate Tribunal
National Human Rights Commission
Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal
Other Indian Authorities
News Broadcasting Standards Authority
Parliamentary Standing Committee, Rajya Sabha
Arbitral Tribunals throughout India
Court-appointed Committees
Academic Publications & Lectures
Co-Author
- Muslim Law in India & Abroad [Universal, New Delhi, 2012]
- Introduction to Muslim Law [Universal, New Delhi, 2012]
Co-Translator & Editor
- Mulla’s Principles of Mahomaden Law (Urdu) [Lexis Nexis Butterworths, New Delhi, 2001]
Contributor
- Brill’s Encyclopedia of Law and Religion [2015]
- Various law books
Author
Numerous articles on various aspects of Law that have appeared in legal periodicals and National dailies including:
- Journal of the Indian Law Institute
- Delhi Law Review
- BYU Law Review
- Amity Law Watch
- The Hindu
- The Indian Express
- Scroll
- The Wire
- Kafila
- The Times of India
Co-Editor
- Quarterly Bar Review, Delhi High Court
Author (Literary book)
- Beloved Delhi : A Mughal City and Her Greatest Poets [Speaking Tiger, New Delhi, 2018; 2nd Ed 2024]
Universities at which lectured
- University of Oxford
- SOAS University of London
- Southampton University, UK
- Brunel University Law School, UK
- J Reuben Clarke Law School, Brigham Young University, USA
- University of Milan, Italy
- Fatih University, Turkey
Other Positions Held
- Secretary General [2017–present], Society for Consensual Disputes Resolution, India
- Honorary Secretary [2015–present], BRICS Law Association, India
- Visiting Fellow [2010–present], Amity Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Amity University UP, National Capital Region, India
- Curator and Instructor [2008–present], Network18 Workshops for Electronic Media on Freedom of Press, New Delhi/Mumbai, India
- Advisory Board Member, Indian Law Review (2022–present)
- Global Advisory Board Member, Tech India Advocates (2023–present)
- Trustee [2015–2020], South Asia Consortium for Religion and Law Studies, India
- Secretary General [2016–2020], Global Legal & Economic Development Council, India
- Visiting Scholar [2020–21], Himalayan Institute of Culture & Heritage Studies (HICHS), Himachal Pradesh, India
- Asia Coordinator [2009–2014], International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies, Milan, Italy
- Treasurer [2009–2016], Asia Pacific Jurist Association, India
- Director, CDR Moot Court [2011], Centre for Dialogue & Reconciliation, New Delhi
- PhD and LLM Examiner [2008–2018], Amity University, National Capital Region, India
- Secretary, New Delhi Conference on ‘State, Religion and Law in and beyond South Asia’ [2008], SACRALS, New Delhi
Personal Information
- Full Name on Passport: Syed Saif Mahmood
- Nationality: Indian
- Date of Birth: 29 October 1975
Timeline
Joint Managing Partner
CMI & Co.
01.2022 - Current
Visiting Academic
University of Oxford
01.2022 - 01.2023
Founder-Managing Partner
Amicus Juris Lawyers (later merged with CMI & Co.)
12.2001 - 12.2021
Advocate
Supreme Court of India & State High Courts
08.2000 - Current
Junior Advocate
Chambers of Dr Abhishek Singhvi, Senior Advocate
08.2000 - 12.2001
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Law
Amity University
Certificate - Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution
United Nations Institute for Training and Research
Master of Laws (LLM) - Law
University of Kurukshetra
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - Law
University of Delhi
Post Graduate Diploma - English Journalism
BVB’s Sardar Patel Institute of Communication & Management
BA (Honours) - Political Science
University of Delhi
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