Chima Umezuruike

Head of Chambers

Chima Umezuruike, the Managing Partner, is a practicing member of the English Bar. In England, he practices from Clerksroom Chambers, 160 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2DQ. 

• +234 70 3189 9078
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• www.umezchambers.com

Expertise

Chima Umezuruike is an accredited expert on Nigerian law. In February and September 2010, he gave expert evidence on Nigerian criminal law and constitutional law in a fraud and money laundering trial involving a former Governor of a State in Nigeria (James Ibori) in Southwark Crown Court, London. In February 2012, he gave expert evidence on Nigeria constitutional law on behalf of the Crown at the trial of  James Ibori at Southwark Crown Court, London.

He conducts complex cross-border litigation involving England, Nigeria and Zambia. He coordinates litigation in London, Lagos and Lusaka in commercial cases, big money divorce cases, trust and probate cases, including obtaining simultaneous pre-emptive remedies in different jurisdictions and enforcing judgments in English and Nigerian courts.

Chima also undertakes the drafting of legal documents and advisory work in the spheres of commercial law, property law and trust law.

Notable Cases

• Mark –v- Mark [2005] UKHL 42 where he represented the Respondent in the House of Lords. The issue was whether one can acquire an English domicile of choice and assert an English habitual residence if one’s presence in England is unlawful.
• Attorney General of Zambia –v- Meer Care Desai and ors [2006] EWCA Civ 390 (CA) where he represented five of the Defendants, including Dr Chiluba, the former Zambian President, in the Court of Appeal in the flagship case on breach of fiduciary duties and trust.
• AIC Ltd  -v- Federal Government of Nigeria and Anor [2003] EWHC 1357 (QB) where he acted for the Claimant in the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court in this case that dealt with State immunity..