Three Crowns LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of Hamid Abdulkareem as counsel in its London office.
Hamid joins the firm from Aluko & Oyebode, a leading Nigerian law firm, where he has been a partner since January 2018.
Hamid is an experienced arbitration practitioner and litigator, having regularly advised multinational companies on an extensive range of disputes, particularly within the energy and natural resources sector. He has played a lead role in multiple disputes arising from Nigeria’s deep offshore production sharing contracts, resulting in successful outcomes for his clients, including for a consortium comprising ExxonMobil, Total, Chevron and Nexen subsidiaries, and for a consortium including Chevron and Equinor subsidiaries. Recently, Hamid successfully defended Eni and Petrobras subsidiaries in Nigeria against allegations of crude oil theft levied by the Nigerian government. His work includes landmark judgments, such as the decision that Nigerian courts have no jurisdiction to issue anti-arbitration injunctions (Statoil v NNPC, 2013). He is a current Co-Chair of the International Bar Association’s Arb40 subcommittee.
Commenting on his appointment, Hamid said “over the past seven years, I have worked with Three Crowns on various disputes arising in Nigeria, and can attest that the firm’s reputation as a leading arbitration practice is well earned. It’s a pleasure to team up with my colleagues at Three Crowns on this next phase of my career”.
Three Crowns partner Constantine Partasides QC said, “the addition of a lawyer of Hamid’s calibre will not only complement our existing offering, but will provide new opportunities to the firm, particularly in relation to our work across Africa. I have worked with Hamid for a number of years and his commercial insight, technical abilities, and energy will be able to drive forward positive outcomes for our clients. We are excited to welcome Hamid to Three Crowns”.
Hamid has been recognised in Who’s Who Legal: Future Leaders for Arbitration and as a National Leader for arbitration in Nigeria, having been described as “an exceptional advocate” who is “sharp as a tack” and “definitely one to watch”. He is also ranked in The Legal 500 for dispute resolution. Hamid is qualified in Nigeria and was educated at the London School of Economics and Political Science and the University of Ilorin, Nigeria.