Veena Srirangam
Barrister
Call 2017
Veena is recommended as a ‘Rising Star’ by the Legal 500 and as ‘Up and Coming’ in Chambers & Partners in commercial litigation, commercial dispute resolution, banking and finance and group litigation.
Veena is regularly instructed in complex and high-value commercial disputes. She has appeared before a range of courts and tribunals including the Court of Appeal and the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Veena’s recent instructions include acting for Mastercard in interchange fee litigation and BHP in Municipio de Mariana v BHP Group (UK) Ltd (recognised in The Lawyer’s Top 10 Appeals of 2022 and Top 20 cases of 2020) which is one of the largest group actions (by number of claimants) brought in the English courts. Alongside cases where she acts as part of a counsel team, Veena regularly acts as sole counsel especially for financial institutions. Her recent sole counsel instructions including acting for HSBC and Santander.
Before coming to the Bar, Veena taught Administrative Law at Cambridge University and has a particular interest in cases raising public law issues. Veena maintains an active interest in academic law and has published in areas including civil procedure, conflict of laws, contract, and public law.
Veena’s recent and notable instructions include:
- Municipio de Mariana & ors v BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd: Acting (with Charles Gibson KC, Daniel Toledano KC, Shaheed Fatima KC and others) for BHP in the group action brought by over 200,000 claimants against BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd, at first instance and in the 5-day appeal before the Court of Appeal. Judgments include [2023] EWCA Civ 1388; [2023] EWHC 2607 (TCC); [2023] EWHC 2030 (TCC); [2022] EWHC 330 (TCC); [2022] EWCA Civ 951; [2021] EWHC 146 (TCC); [2020] EWHC 2471 (TCC); [2020] EWHC 928 (TCC).
- Commercial and Interregional Card Claims I Ltd & Commercial and Interregional Card Claims II Ltd v Mastercard Inc & ors: Acting (with Sonia Tolaney KC and Matthew Cook KC) for the Mastercard defendants in proposed collective proceedings seeking damages for interchange fees. The CAT refused to certify the claims and has granted a stay for the PCRs to indicate whether they will submit revised proposals: [2023] CAT 38.
- Hashwah & ors v Qatar National Bank & ors: Acting (with Hannah Brown KC and Sandy Phipps) for a Gulf financial institution in Commercial Court proceedings alleging involvement in terrorist financing in Syria. The Court declared that one set of proceedings brought by the Claimants was barred by state immunity: [2022] EWHC 2242 (Comm).
- BB & Ors v Al Khayyat & Ors: Acting (with Hannah Brown KC and Sandy Phipps) for a Gulf financial institution in King’s Bench Division proceedings alleging involvement in terrorist financing in Syria. Judgments include: [2023] EWCA Civ 253 [2020] EWHC 3567 (QB); [2021] EWHC 2551 (QB).
- Astor v Atalaya: Successfully acted for Astor (with Anna Boase KC) in the trial of Astor’s claim for outstanding consideration for the sale of the Rio Tinto Mine.[2022] EWHC 628 (Comm):
- ICC Proceedings: Acted (with Alex Gunning KC and others) for a Dutch infrastructure investment company in a dispute worth over $2bn with its joint venture partner in relation to the building of a deep water grain terminal on the Russian Black Sea coast. Veena cross-examined an expert in the field of marine infrastructure.
- Advising (with Sebastian Isaac KC) shareholders in substantial claims against a technology company and its former directors alleging deceit and liability for false and misleading statements under FSMA.
- Advising (with Alain Choo Choy KC and Nehali Shah) a number of investment funds and asset managers in claims alleging interference with A1P1 rights.
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Examples of Recent Cases
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Arbitration
- ICC Proceedings: Acted (with Alex Gunning KC and others) for a Dutch infrastructure investment company in a dispute worth over $2bn with its joint venture partner in relation to the building of a deep water grain terminal on the Russian Black Sea coast. Veena cross-examined an expert in the field of marine infrastructure.
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Banking and Financial Services
Veena is recommended as a Rising Star (Tier 1) by Legal 500 in Banking & Finance.
- Commercial and Interregional Card Claims I Ltd & Commercial and Interregional Card Claims II Ltd v Mastercard Inc & ors: Acting (with Sonia Tolaney KC and Matthew Cook KC) for the Mastercard defendants in proposed collective proceedings seeking damages for interchange fees. The CAT refused to certify the claims and has granted a stay for the PCRs to indicate whether they will submit revised proposals: [2023] CAT 38.
- Hashwah & ors v Qatar National Bank & ors: Acting (with Hannah Brown KC and Sandy Phipps) for a Gulf financial institution in Commercial Court proceedings alleging involvement in terrorist financing in Syria. The Court declared that one set of proceedings brought by the Claimants was barred by state immunity: [2022] EWHC 2242 (Comm).
- BB & Ors v Al Khayyat & Ors: Acting (with Hannah Brown KC and Sandy Phipps) for a Gulf financial institution in King’s Bench Division proceedings alleging involvement in terrorist financing in Syria. Judgments include: [2023] EWCA Civ 253 [2020] EWHC 3567 (QB); [2021] EWHC 2551 (QB).
- Hamilton v HSBC (KBD): Acted as sole counsel for HSBC in contempt proceedings brought by an individual alleging non-compliance with a third party disclosure order.
- Gallery Interiors (South East) Ltd v Santander (KBD): Acting as sole counsel for Santander in proceedings arising out of the Russian Sanctions regime.
- Bluerock & Nationwide: Veena acts for Bluerock and Nationwide in a number of claims brought by the institutions to enforce guarantees.
- Astor v Atalaya [2022] EWHC 628 (Comm): Successfully acted for Astor (with Anna Boase QC) in the trial of Astor’s claim for outstanding consideration for the sale of the Rio Tinto Mine.
- Evison Holdings Ltd v International Co Finvision Holdings and Orient Express PJSC [2019] EWHC 3057 (Comm): Appeared (with Hannah Brown QC and Sandy Phipps) for the Russian Bank Orient Express resisting the continuation of an anti-suit injunction in respect of proceedings in the Arbitrazh Court in Russia.
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Commercial Litigation
Veena is ranked as a Rising Star (Tier 1) in Legal 500 for Commercial Litigation and as ‘Up and Coming’ in Chambers and Partners for Commercial Dispute Resolution.
- Commercial and Interregional Card Claims I Ltd & Commercial and Interregional Card Claims II Ltd v Mastercard Inc & ors: Acting (with Sonia Tolaney KC and Matthew Cook KC) for the Mastercard defendants in proposed collective proceedings seeking damages for interchange fees. The CAT refused to certify the claims and has granted a stay for the PCRs to indicate whether they will submit revised proposals: [2023] CAT 38.
- Municipio de Mariana & ors v BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd: Acting (with Charles Gibson KC, Daniel Toledano KC, Shaheed Fatima KC and others) for BHP in the group action brought by over 200,000 claimants against BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd, at first instance and in the 5-day appeal before the Court of Appeal. Judgments include [2023] EWCA Civ 1388; [2023] EWHC 2607 (TCC); [2023] EWHC 2030 (TCC); [2022] EWHC 330 (TCC); [2022] EWCA Civ 951; [2021] EWHC 146 (TCC); [2020] EWHC 2471 (TCC); [2020] EWHC 928 (TCC).
- Astor v Atalaya [2022] EWHC 628 (Comm): Successfully acted for Astor (with Anna Boase QC) in the trial of Astor’s claim for outstanding consideration for the sale of the Rio Tinto Mine.
- Hashwah & ors v Qatar National Bank & ors: Acting (with Hannah Brown KC and Sandy Phipps) for a Gulf financial institution in Commercial Court proceedings alleging involvement in terrorist financing in Syria. The Court declared that one set of proceedings brought by the Claimants was barred by state immunity: [2022] EWHC 2242 (Comm)
- BB & Ors v Al Khayyat & Ors: Acting (with Hannah Brown KC and Sandy Phipps) for a Gulf financial institution in King’s Bench Division proceedings alleging involvement in terrorist financing in Syria. Judgments include: [2023] EWCA Civ 253 [2020] EWHC 3567 (QB); [2021] EWHC 2551 (QB).
- Advising (with Sebastian Isaac KC) shareholders in substantial claims against a technology company and its former directors alleging deceit and liability for false and misleading statements under FSMA.
- Advising (with Alain Choo Choy KC and Nehali Shah) a number of investment funds and asset managers in claims alleging interference with A1P1 rights.
- Hamilton v HSBC (KBD): Acted as sole counsel for HSBC in contempt proceedings brought by an individual alleging non-compliance with a third party disclosure order.
- Gallery Interiors (South East) Ltd v Santander (KBD): Acting as sole counsel for Santander in proceedings arising out of the Russian Sanctions regime.
- Bluerock & Nationwide: Veena acts for Bluerock and Nationwide in a number of claims brought by the institutions to enforce guarantees
- Atlas Residential Solutions Management UK v Greengate SARL [2020] EWHC 366 (Comm): Appeared (with Hannah Brown QC) for Greengate in the expedited trial on the validity of Greengate’s termination of two Agreements with Atlas. Veena appeared unled in the consequentials hearing before Teare J.
- City East Recruitment v British Gas (TCC): Acted (with Anna Boase KC) for British Gas against claims brought by a recruitment agency for transfer fees relating to the engagement by British Gas of engineers and other staff. The case settled shortly after the CCMC.
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Energy and Natural Resources
- Municipio de Mariana & ors v BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd: Acting (with Charles Gibson KC, Daniel Toledano KC, Shaheed Fatima KC and others) for BHP in the group action brought by over 200,000 claimants against BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd, at first instance and in the 5-day appeal before the Court of Appeal. Judgments include [2023] EWCA Civ 1388; [2023] EWHC 2607 (TCC); [2023] EWHC 2030 (TCC); [2022] EWHC 330 (TCC); [2022] EWCA Civ 951; [2021] EWHC 146 (TCC); [2020] EWHC 2471 (TCC); [2020] EWHC 928 (TCC).
- Astor v Atalaya [2022] EWHC 628 (Comm): Successfully acted for Astor (with Anna Boase QC) in the trial of Astor’s claim for outstanding consideration for the sale of the Rio Tinto Mine.
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Group Litigation
Veena is ranked as ‘Up and Coming’ in Chambers & Partners for Group Litigation.
- Commercial and Interregional Card Claims I Ltd & Commercial and Interregional Card Claims II Ltd v Mastercard Inc & ors: Acting (with Sonia Tolaney KC and Matthew Cook KC) for the Mastercard defendants in proposed collective proceedings seeking damages for interchange fees. The CAT refused to certify the claims and has granted a stay for the PCRs to indicate whether they will submit revised proposals: [2023] CAT 38.
- Municipio de Mariana & ors v BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd: Acting (with Charles Gibson KC, Daniel Toledano KC, Shaheed Fatima KC and others) for BHP in the group action brought by over 200,000 claimants against BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd, at first instance and in the 5-day appeal before the Court of Appeal. Judgments include [2023] EWCA Civ 1388; [2023] EWHC 2607 (TCC); [2023] EWHC 2030 (TCC); [2022] EWHC 330 (TCC); [2022] EWCA Civ 951; [2021] EWHC 146 (TCC); [2020] EWHC 2471 (TCC); [2020] EWHC 928 (TCC).
- Hashwah & ors v Qatar National Bank & ors: Acting (with Hannah Brown KC and Sandy Phipps) for a Gulf financial institution in Commercial Court proceedings alleging involvement in terrorist financing in Syria. The Court declared that one set of proceedings brought by the Claimants was barred by state immunity: [2022] EWHC 2242 (Comm).
- BB & Ors v Al Khayyat & Ors: Acting (with Hannah Brown KC and Sandy Phipps) for a Gulf financial institution in King’s Bench Division proceedings alleging involvement in terrorist financing in Syria. Judgments include: [2023] EWCA Civ 253 [2020] EWHC 3567 (QB); [2021] EWHC 2551 (QB).
- Advising (with Sebastian Isaac KC) shareholders in substantial claims against a technology company and its former directors alleging deceit and liability for false and misleading statements under FSMA.
- Advising (with Alain Choo Choy KC and Nehali Shah) a number of investment funds and asset managers in claims alleging interference with A1P1 rights.
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Jurisdiction and Conflict of Laws
- Municipio de Mariana & ors v BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd: Acting (with Charles Gibson KC, Daniel Toledano KC, Shaheed Fatima KC and others) for BHP in the group action brought by over 200,000 claimants against BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd, at first instance and in the 5-day appeal before the Court of Appeal. Judgments include [2023] EWCA Civ 1388; [2023] EWHC 2607 (TCC); [2023] EWHC 2030 (TCC); [2022] EWHC 330 (TCC); [2022] EWCA Civ 951; [2021] EWHC 146 (TCC); [2020] EWHC 2471 (TCC); [2020] EWHC 928 (TCC).
- Hashwah & ors v Qatar National Bank & ors: Acting (with Hannah Brown KC and Sandy Phipps) for a Gulf financial institution in Commercial Court proceedings alleging involvement in terrorist financing in Syria. The Court declared that one set of proceedings brought by the Claimants was barred by state immunity: [2022] EWHC 2242 (Comm).
- BB & Ors v Al Khayyat & Ors: Acting (with Hannah Brown KC and Sandy Phipps) for a Gulf financial institution in King’s Bench Division proceedings alleging involvement in terrorist financing in Syria. Judgments include: [2023] EWCA Civ 253 [2020] EWHC 3567 (QB); [2021] EWHC 2551 (QB).
- Evison Holdings Ltd v International Co Finvision Holdings and Orient Express PJSC [2019] EWHC 3057 (Comm): Appeared (with Hannah Brown QC and Sandy Phipps) for the Russian Bank Orient Express resisting the continuation of an anti-suit injunction in respect of proceedings in the Arbitrazh Court in Russia.
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Public Law
- Hashwah & ors v Qatar National Bank & ors: Acting (with Hannah Brown KC and Sandy Phipps) for a Gulf financial institution in Commercial Court proceedings alleging involvement in terrorist financing in Syria. The Court declared that one set of proceedings brought by the Claimants was barred by state immunity: [2022] EWHC 2242 (Comm).
- BB & Ors v Al Khayyat & Ors: Acting (with Hannah Brown KC and Sandy Phipps) for a Gulf financial institution in King’s Bench Division proceedings alleging involvement in terrorist financing in Syria. Judgments include: [2023] EWCA Civ 253 [2020] EWHC 3567 (QB); [2021] EWHC 2551 (QB).
- Advising (with Alain Choo Choy KC and Nehali Shah) a number of investment funds and asset managers in claims alleging interference with A1P1 rights.
- Before coming to the Bar, Veena taught Administrative Law at Cambridge University and has a particular interest in cases with a public law element as a result.
- Veena’s paper Suspending Invalidity while Keeping Faith with Nullity [2015] PL 596 has been widely cited including in The Public Law Project’s Consultation Response to the Proposals for reform of Judicial Review (April 2021); and D Feldman, Anisminic Ltd v Foreign Compensation Commission [1968]: In Perspective, in Landmark Cases in Public Law (edited by Satvinder Juss and Maurice Sunkin, 2017).
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What the Directories Say
The Legal 500 2024 (Commercial Litigation) - 'Veena has excellent judgement and is a key junior barrister to whom firms regularly turn to instruct. She writes clearly and concisely, and is very quick to grasp key issues.'
Chambers & Partners 2024 (Group Litigation) - ‘Veena is technically excellent and gives sound tactical advice. She is a pleasure to work with and is knowledgeable beyond her year of call.’
Chambers & Partners 2024 (Group Litigation) - ‘A very analytical black-letter lawyer. If you need to know an answer to a particularly tricky legal point Veena will deliver it.’
Chambers & Partners 2024 (Commercial Dispute Resolution) - ‘Veena is a rising star of the future. She is incredibly clever, very user-friendly and an absolute joy to work with.'
Chambers & Partners 2024 (Commercial Dispute Resolution) - 'Veena has an enviable work ethic and is working at a level far beyond her years of experience.'
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Publications
- Non-parties and arbitration agreements, LQR 2023 139 (Oct), 541-546
- Within and without – in-house lawyers and legal advice privilege: A v B [2020] EWHC 1492 (Ch), UTB LLC v Sheffield United Ltd [2019] EWHC 914 (Ch) and Civil Aviation Authority v R. (Jet2.Com Ltd) [2020] EWCA Civ 35, Civil Justice Quarterly 2021, Issue 40(3), 217-224
- Patel v Mirza: A Tale of Insider Trading and Illegality in the Supreme Court [2017] Cambridge Law Review 1
- A Difference in Kind: Proportionality and Wednesbury [2016] IALS Student Law Review, Volume 4, Issue 1, 44-46
- Suspending invalidity while keeping faith with nullity [2015] Public Law, Issue 4, 596-613
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Education
- BPTC, BPP Law School London (Very Competent) [2016-2017]
- Harvard Law School, LLM (Masters in Law) [2014-2015]
- University of Cambridge, BA Law (Honours) (First) [2011-2014]
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Academic Achievements
- Overseas Placement Award, Lincoln’s Inn [2017]
- Winner, Inter-Inn Mooting Competition [2017]
- Regional Finalist (London), BPP Internal Mooting Competition [2016-2017]
- Winner, Lincoln’s Inn Inter-provider Mooting Competition [2017]
- Lord Mansfield Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn [2016]
- Hardwicke Entrance Award, Lincoln’s Inn [2016]
- Excellence Award, BPP Law School [2016]
- Cambridge-Harvard Exchange Scholarship [2014]
- Foundation Scholar for Downing College [2014]
- James William Squire Scholarship [2013]
- John Hall Prize for Family Law [2013]
- Seton Cavendish Prize, Downing College [2013]
- Harris Scholar, Downing College [2012-14]
- Rebecca Squire Scholarship [2012]
- K Wilsey and K Lerch Prize, Downing College [2012]
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Other Experience
- Veena is a Trustee for Brixton Advice Centre, a charity which provides a range of pro bono legal services to residents of Lambeth.
- Veena is also actively involved in initiatives within Chambers to promote diversity in recruitment to the Bar. She has mentored a number of students through the Women at the Commercial Bar Mentoring Scheme.
- Prior to coming to the Bar, Veena taught Administrative law at Cambridge University (Downing College). She was also a stagiaire to Judge Vajda at the Court of Justice of the European Union in 2018, and worked at the Law Commission between 2015 and 2016.