Ex-ASG, Senior Advocate Gourab Banerji becomes Overseas Associate at Essex Court Chambers

Senior Advocate and former Additional Solicitor General, Gourab Banerji has joined Essex Court Chambers, a Barristers chambers known for international arbitration work. Banerjee has joined as an Overseas Associate, joining a small but significant club of Indian lawyers associated with a London set..Just a few months ago, Nakul Dewan was invited to join 20 Essex Street; fomer Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium is a member of 3 Verulam Building. Leading senior counsel, Harish Salve is a member of Blackstone Chambers. The Lawyer reports that Banerji will be working as a senior advocate, and not as an arbitrator..Speaking to Bar & Bench, Banerji said that the entire process was initiated in August this year, and marks a sweeping change from his days as a law officer. With a well-established practice in arbitration matters, Banerji said that there was a pressing need for competent counsels, and that establishing oneself is not as difficult as many would believe. .He would know; Banerji was the successful lead counsel for United India in a 4,000-crore arbitration dispute with Essar Oil..Of the experience Banerji said,.“It was an arbitration that went on for four years, and eventually costs of 100 crore were awarded!”.When it comes to the opening up of the Indian legal market, Banerji opines that this would only benefit Indian lawyers, providing them with a wider amount of training..As for his days as an ASG, Banerji quips,.“I wouldn’t wish [the post] on anyone but now, I must say there were so many positives.”