Umair Usman

Partner

Email: umair.usman@jalegal.com.pk

Mobile: +92-3308556271

Education

LL.B, Hons. University of London
Legal Practice Course - University of the West of England
LL.M in Advance Legal Practice - University of the West of England
Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) - University of the West of England
Masters in Bar Professional Training Studies - University of West England

Bar Admissions

Advocate, High Courts of Pakistan, 2019
Advocate, Lower Courts of Pakistan, 2017

Memberships

Sindh High Court Bar Association
Karachi Bar Association
Sindh Bar Council
Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
ADR-ODR: International Accredited Civil & Commercial Mediator

Umair Usman
Umair Usman is a Partner at JA Legal since 2021, having worked at various other Law Firms in the past. Mr. Usman is a Barrister-at-Law being called to the Bar at the Honorable Society of Lincoln’s Inn. Mr. Usman has an exceptional academic background and has also qualified as a Solicitor of England & Wales. To further strengthen his legal knowledge, Mr. Usman has successfully completed Two (02) Masters in Law in Advanced Legal Practice and Bar Professional Training Studies along with an a Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediation Course from the United Kingdom. As an Advocate of the High and Subordinate Courts of Pakistan, Mr. Usman has cultivated a wide-ranging practice in Constitutional, Civil, Criminal, Banking, Commercial, Family and Intellectual Property Law. His litigation portfolio includes but is not limited to high stake and complicated matters against a variety of state and private institutions. He has had the opportunity to act as a legal counsel in state level Arbitrations. Owing to his dispute resolutions skills, Mr. Usman has been able to settle long standing disputes with establishments such as Pakistan Navy, Shell Pakistan and the National Bank of Pakistan. Mr. Usman also currently serves as the Retainer Legal Counsel for a number of Corporate Entities such as Pakistan Beverages Limited, Sapphire Consulting Limited and Santex Products Private Limited. Alongside his active legal practice, Mr. Usman has been deeply engaged in legal education. He has served as a member of the Adjunct Law Faculty at the SZABIST Law School and Themis Law School, teaching the courses of Criminal and Commercial Law. He has also taught students preparing for the Bar Transfer Test. His teaching and mentorship highlight his commitment to preparing the next generation of lawyers. Beyond the courtroom and classroom, Mr. Usman contributes actively to societal economic development. He has provided pro bono advisory to non-profit organizations, facilitated their incorporation and guided compliance frameworks. His extensive work in due diligence and legal vetting for startups and established enterprises demonstrates his belief in empowering businesses and strengthening Pakistan’s commercial landscape. Respected for his strategic foresight, persuasive advocacy and professional integrity, Barrister Umair Usman combines international training with domestic expertise, making him a trusted advisor, a formidable advocate and widely recognized as one of the finest, diligent and hardworking practitioner in corporate, commercial and civil law in Pakistan.
  • Legal Counsel of the Petitioners against the National Highway Authority (NHA) before the Sindh High Court in a constitutional matter concerning illegal construction, raising questions of statutory authority and regulatory compliance.
  • Legal Counsel of the Plaintiff against Defence Housing Authority (DHA) before the Sindh High Court in a civil suit seeking declaratory relief on whether, under the operational DHA by-laws, the status of an amenity plot can be converted to any other category (e.g., commercial).
  • Legal Counsel of a consumer against M/s. Premier Systems (official importer of Audi Pakistan AG) in a multifaceted matter involving allegations of fraud and deceptive marketing practices. Proceedings were pursued before the Civil Court, Consumer Court, Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and Criminal Courts — making it one of the rare multi-forum consumer disputes in Pakistan.
  • Legal Counsel of the Plaintiff in an arbitration matter relating to the Federation’s contract for the upgradation of the Dockyard and Training School near PN Depot, Karachi. The matter arose out of a government contract dated 10.07.2008 and was referred under Section 12 of the Arbitration Act, 1940, through Suit No. 1505/2012 before the Sindh High Court.
  • Legal Counsel of the mother of Mustafa Amir in a high-profile murder trial before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), engaging issues of criminal procedure, evidence, and counter-terrorism law.
  • Filed a Complaint before the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) against Roblox, concerning consumer protection, regulatory accountability, and digital governance under the PECA Act, 2016.
  • Legal Counsel of the Plaintiff against the National Bank of Pakistan in recovery proceedings, where the matter was resolved through mediation.
  • Legal Counsel of the Plaintiff against Shell Pakistan in civil and commercial proceedings involving contractual and regulatory obligations.
  • Legal Counsel of Sapphire Consulting Services (Pvt.) Limited & others in multiple Constitutional Petitions before the Sindh High Court, challenging their disqualification at the technical evaluation stage of a World Bank–funded procurement under the CLICK initiative, raising questions of procedural fairness and compliance with World Bank procurement rules.
  • Legal Counsel of the Petitioner in multiple Constitutional Petitions filed against the DOW University of Health and Sciences and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council regarding unlawful admission policies and fee payments in violation of the applicable legal framework.
  • Legal Counsel for the Plaintiffs in multiple Cooperative Society matters pertaining to unlawful cancellation, conversion, and transfer of plots.
  1. SBLR 2024 Sindh 566 (Sindh High Court)
    Arbitration & Commercial Disputes
    Barrister Umair Usman represented the Respondent.The dispute arose from a construction contract dated 10.07.2008. Following alleged non-payment, arbitration was invoked and an award was passed in favour of the respondent. Objections to the award were filed beyond the statutory limitation period under Article 158 of the Limitation Act, 1908. The High Court dismissed the appeal, upholding the arbitral award both on limitation and on merits.
  2. SBLR 2024 Sindh 1054 (Sindh High Court)
    Criminal Law – Anti-Terrorism
    Barrister Umair Usman represented the Appellants.The appellants were convicted for kidnapping for ransom and sentenced to life imprisonment. The High Court found that prosecution evidence recorded after amendment of charge was illegally copied verbatim from earlier testimony and that some witnesses were not examined afresh. The conviction was set aside and the matter was remanded for re-recording of evidence in accordance with law.
  3. SBLR 2024 Tribunal 342 (Accountability Court)
    Accountability & White-Collar Crime
    Barrister Umair Usman represented the Accused.The NAB reference involved alleged loss of approximately Rs. 124.45 million. Following retrospective amendments increasing the pecuniary threshold for NAB jurisdiction to Rs. 500 million, the Accountability Court held that it lacked jurisdiction and ordered transfer of the reference to the competent District & Sessions Court.
  4. SBLR 2024 Sindh 2047 (Sindh High Court)
    Rent & Tenancy Law
    Barrister Umair Usman represented the Appellant.The appellant’s defence was struck off for alleged non-compliance with a tentative rent order. The High Court found the limitation objection untenable, stayed execution proceedings, and issued notice for further consideration.
  5. SBLR 2024 Sindh 1645 (Sindh High Court)
    Criminal Law – Bail
    Barrister Umair Usman represented the Applicant.The case involved allegations of cheating and forgery arising out of a DHA property transaction. The High Court examined the nature of the allegations, applicability of section 497 Cr.P.C., and the rule of consistency, and proceeded to decide the bail application accordingly.
  6. 2025 YLR 409 Sindh (Sindh High Court)
    Criminal Law – Murder
    Barrister Umair Usman represented the Appellant.The appellant was convicted for murder during an alleged dacoity. The High Court found the identification proceedings defective and noted lack of corroborative evidence. The conviction was set aside and the appellant was acquitted.
  7. SBLR 2025 SC 63 (Supreme Court of Pakistan)
    Arbitration & Constitutional Jurisdiction
    Barrister Umair Usman represented the Respondent.The Supreme Court dismissed the petition for leave to appeal, finding no legal infirmity in the High Court judgment upholding the arbitral award.
  8. SBLR 2025 Sindh 784 (Sindh High Court)
    Execution & Enforcement of Decrees
    Barrister Umair Usman represented the Decree Holder.The High Court allowed execution proceedings, directing deposit of the decretal amount and ordering coercive measures in case of continued non-compliance.
  9. SBLR 2025 Sindh 710 (Sindh High Court)
    Accountability & Constitutional Law
    Barrister Umair Usman represented the Petitioner.The Court held that a NAB caution placed under repealed section 23 of the NAO, 1999 was non est in law and declared it to be deemed removed.
  10. SBLR 2025 Sindh 1229 (Sindh High Court)
    Civil Litigation – Inheritance Disputes
    Barrister Umair Usman represented Respondents Nos. 2, 3 & 4.The High Court declined interference with an interim order but remanded the matter to the trial court with directions to decide the pending application after hearing all parties.
  11. SBLR 2025 Sindh 1225 (Sindh High Court)
    Company Law & Shareholder Disputes
    Barrister Umair Usman represented the Petitioner.The High Court allowed appointment of a forensic auditor to ascertain the true financial position of the company in a shareholder oppression dispute.
  12. SBLR 2025 Sindh 1223 (Sindh High Court)
    Accountability & Property Rights
    Barrister Umair Usman represented the Petitioner.The Court declared a NAB caution on the petitioner’s property to be non est following repeal of section 23 of the NAO, 1999.
  13. SBLR 2025 Sindh 2128 (Sindh High Court)
    Rent & Tenancy Law
    Barrister Umair Usman represented the Petitioner.The High Court set aside the appellate judgment due to improper appraisal of evidence and remanded the case for fresh decision.
  14. SBLR 2025 Sindh 2351 (Sindh High Court)
    Constitutional Law – Compensation
    Barrister Umair Usman appeared as Amicus Curiae.The Court directed that the petitioner’s claim for compensation as legal heir of a martyred police officer be decided by the Shaheed Declaration Committee after granting an opportunity of hearing.
  15. 2025 SCMR 1659 (Supreme Court of Pakistan)
    Judicial Independence & Criminal Jurisdiction
    Barrister Umair Usman represented the Complainant.The Supreme Court expunged adverse remarks passed against a serving Anti-Terrorism Court Judge without affording him an opportunity of hearing, holding the strictures to be unwarranted.