Kiran Raj

Senior Advocate Nakul Dewan and barrister Niranjan Venkatesan have been appointed as King’s Counsel (KC) in England. Their names were included in the 2024 recommendations released by the King’s Counsel Appointments (KCA) panel. Both appointees are recognized under the "civil only" category and will formally receive their designations in March 2024.

King’s Counsel (KC) is a distinguished title awarded to barristers and advocates who demonstrate outstanding legal expertise and advocacy skills. The designation process is managed by the King’s Counsel Appointments panel, an independent body comprising senior judges, legal professionals, and lay members.

Applicants for the title undergo a rigorous selection process. The evaluation includes the submission of detailed applications accompanied by references from judges, advocates, and clients familiar with their work. These references are crucial in assessing the candidates’ competency and ethical conduct.

The selection process considers specific criteria, including excellence in advocacy, in-depth knowledge of the law, adherence to ethical standards, and contributions to the administration of justice. Applicants are also required to attend interviews, where their ability to handle complex legal matters is examined.

The final recommendations of the panel are submitted to the Lord Chancellor for formal approval and announcement.

Nakul Dewan, a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India and a barrister at Twenty Essex, specializes in commercial litigation, international arbitration, and corporate disputes. He practices in multiple jurisdictions, including India, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, and has extensive experience in banking and finance, construction, and international trade disputes.

Dewan completed his early education in India, earning a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) degree from Sri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi. He then pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) at the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. He further advanced his legal education by completing a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from New York University and the National University of Singapore.

Throughout his career, Dewan has represented clients in numerous high-profile cases, including:

• Internet and Mobile Association of India v. Reserve Bank of India, where the Supreme Court overturned a ban on cryptocurrency trading.

• GMR Energy Limited v. Doosan Power Systems India Pvt. Ltd., an arbitration case involving significant financial and corporate issues.

He has also addressed legal issues related to the group of companies doctrine, jurisdictional matters in arbitration, and the joinder of non-signatories.

Niranjan Venkatesan, a barrister at One Essex Court, specializes in commercial litigation and international arbitration. His areas of expertise include disputes in the energy and natural resources sectors. He has appeared in multiple high-profile cases before the UK Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

Venkatesan is a graduate of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), where he earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree in 2010. During his time at NLSIU, he demonstrated academic excellence, earning accolades for his performance.

Following his graduation from NLSIU, Venkatesan pursued further studies at the University of Oxford, completing a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree in 2011. He was awarded the Vinerian Scholarship, the highest academic honor for outstanding performance in the BCL program.

He is consistently ranked among the top barristers by legal directories such as Chambers and The Legal 500.

Nakul Dewan and Niranjan Venkatesan join a growing list of Indian-origin legal professionals appointed as King’s Counsel. Other notable names include Senior Advocate Harish Salve and Dipen Sabharwal, a partner at White & Case LLP.

[Read/Download notification]