Kiran Unni is an English barrister focused on complex multijurisdictional disputes, particularly those involving allegations of fraud and misconduct. Mr. Unni has acted in English High Court litigation and international arbitrations across a range of industry sectors, including oil and gas, banking, cryptocurrency, private equity, shipping, technology and telecommunications. He advises on the enforcement of judgments and arbitration awards, as well as associated asset tracing and recovery projects, to help clients realize value from their claims. Mr. Unni also has particular experience in formulating offensive and defensive global litigation strategies for international private clients, including in relation to civil and criminal asset forfeiture, financial sanctions, trust structures, and commercial and insolvency litigation.
Before joining Kobre & Kim, Mr. Unni practiced at Baker Botts (UK) LLP representing institutional clients and private individuals in commercial disputes and regulatory matters involving bribery/corruption allegations and the application of economic sanctions. Earlier in his career, Mr. Unni was a judicial assistant to Lord Mance, Lord Brown and Lord Carnwath at the UK Supreme Court.
Admissions
- Barrister, England & Wales
- Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts
Education
- St Edmund Hall, Oxford, BCL
- Queens’ College, Cambridge, BA, LLM (First Class)
- College of Law, London, Legal Practice Course
Select Engagements
- Andrew Stafford KC and Kiran Unni Unpack Challenges and Opportunities in International Arbitral Enforcement at Istanbul Arbitration Week
- Kobre & Kim Ranked by The Legal 500 UK for White-Collar Crime Defense and Reputation Management
- Andrew Stafford KC and Kiran Unni on Turning a Claim into Cash During Istanbul Arbitration Week
- Vasu Muthyala, Nick Cherryman, Kiran Unni, Jef Klazen in Legal Era: How Indian Debtors Can Stand Up to Aggressive Global Lenders
- Kiran Unni Discusses Litigation Privilege in Corporate Fraud Investigations with C5
- How Offshore Trustees and Beneficiaries Can Mitigate Serious Risks of a Sanctions Violation
- Defensive and Counteroffensive Strategies in Delaware for Business Disputes that Turn Personal
- Mitigating Sanctions Risks For Individuals and Their Cyprus-Based Assets
- Achieving High Returns from Sovereign & States Disputes
- Cross-Border Kobre & Kim Team Succeeds in Recovering Stolen Crypto Assets Worth Over US $400 Million
Professional & Community Involvement
- Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, Member
Publications & Presentations
- Co-author, “UK Supreme Court Shows Flexibility in Enforcement of International Arbitral Awards: Taurus Petroleum Ltd v State Oil Marketing Co of the Ministry of Oil, Iraq [2017] UKSC 64” (Lexology, 29 November 2017)
- Co-author, "English Courts Provide Guidelines to Address Inconsistent Jurisdictional Provisions in Related Agreements" (International Arbitration Law Review, Volume 19, Issue 4, August 2016)
- Co-author, "When is Referral to a Dispute Adjudication Board a Precondition for Court or Arbitration Proceedings?" (International Arbitration Law Review, Volume 19, Issue 1, February 2016)
- Author, "Case Note: Diag Human SE v Czech Republic [2014] EWHC 1639 (Comm)" (International Arbitration Law Review, Volume 18, Issue 4, August 2015)
- Author, "Case Note: BDMS Ltd v Rafael Advanced Defence Systems [2014] EWHC 451 (Comm)" (International Arbitration Law Review, Volume 18, Issue 4, August 2015)
Credentials
Admissions
- Barrister, England & Wales
- Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts
Education
- St Edmund Hall, Oxford, BCL
- Queens’ College, Cambridge, BA, LLM (First Class)
- College of Law, London, Legal Practice Course
Engagements
News
- Andrew Stafford KC and Kiran Unni Unpack Challenges and Opportunities in International Arbitral Enforcement at Istanbul Arbitration Week
- Kobre & Kim Ranked by The Legal 500 UK for White-Collar Crime Defense and Reputation Management
- Andrew Stafford KC and Kiran Unni on Turning a Claim into Cash During Istanbul Arbitration Week
- Vasu Muthyala, Nick Cherryman, Kiran Unni, Jef Klazen in Legal Era: How Indian Debtors Can Stand Up to Aggressive Global Lenders
- Kiran Unni Discusses Litigation Privilege in Corporate Fraud Investigations with C5
- How Offshore Trustees and Beneficiaries Can Mitigate Serious Risks of a Sanctions Violation
- Defensive and Counteroffensive Strategies in Delaware for Business Disputes that Turn Personal
- Mitigating Sanctions Risks For Individuals and Their Cyprus-Based Assets
- Achieving High Returns from Sovereign & States Disputes
- Cross-Border Kobre & Kim Team Succeeds in Recovering Stolen Crypto Assets Worth Over US $400 Million
Professional & Community Involvement
- Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, Member
Publications & Presentations
- Co-author, “UK Supreme Court Shows Flexibility in Enforcement of International Arbitral Awards: Taurus Petroleum Ltd v State Oil Marketing Co of the Ministry of Oil, Iraq [2017] UKSC 64” (Lexology, 29 November 2017)
- Co-author, "English Courts Provide Guidelines to Address Inconsistent Jurisdictional Provisions in Related Agreements" (International Arbitration Law Review, Volume 19, Issue 4, August 2016)
- Co-author, "When is Referral to a Dispute Adjudication Board a Precondition for Court or Arbitration Proceedings?" (International Arbitration Law Review, Volume 19, Issue 1, February 2016)
- Author, "Case Note: Diag Human SE v Czech Republic [2014] EWHC 1639 (Comm)" (International Arbitration Law Review, Volume 18, Issue 4, August 2015)
- Author, "Case Note: BDMS Ltd v Rafael Advanced Defence Systems [2014] EWHC 451 (Comm)" (International Arbitration Law Review, Volume 18, Issue 4, August 2015)