Zara works closely with clients to guide them through the litigation process with clarity, confidence and a strong focus on achieving efficient and effective outcomes. She combines technical excellence with a pragmatic mindset, ensuring disputes are managed proportionately while protecting her clients’ commercial and reputational interests.

Her experience spans the full lifecycle of disputes, from pre-action strategy through to trial. Zara has extensive experience managing complex and high-value litigation, including multi-party and group actions, and is adept at coordinating large volumes of information, stakeholders and procedural requirements. She combines a strong command of the Civil Procedure Rules with a proactive, strategic approach to case management, advising on key tactical issues such as disclosure, expert evidence and witness management, as well as drafting pleadings, applications and costs budgets. She also undertakes advocacy at case management conferences and interim application hearings.

A confident negotiator, Zara has a proven track record of securing favourable settlements for clients. She is particularly experienced in alternative dispute resolution, having been involved in over 20 mediations, and is skilled at deploying strategic settlement tools such as Part 36 and Calderbank offers to maximise outcomes and manage risk.

Her trial experience includes successfully running cases from inception through to judgment, working closely with counsel and clients to prepare and present cases effectively. She has also been involved in reported High Court matters and is experienced in navigating complex issues such as sensitive disclosure, jurisdictional challenges and tactical interim applications.

Zara’s recent work includes:

Acting in large-scale group litigation involving multiple defendants and complex disclosure exercises
• Managing claims involving reputational and sensitive issues, including human rights and Equality Act considerations
• Advising on and conducting interim applications, including strike-out, service and disclosure issues
• Leading settlement strategy and negotiations, including mediation and without prejudice discussions

In addition to her disputes practice, Zara is actively involved in business development and client relationship management. She delivers client training, contributes to thought leadership and supports the development of new business opportunities. She also has experience working directly with clients on secondment, supporting in-house teams with claims management.

In her spare time, Zara is a qualified vinyasa and yin yoga teacher – if you are curious about what that involves, she would be delighted to discuss it.

Zara Bhakri

Latest Articles

West 28th Street letters – When is an update not an update?

The Supreme Court ‘turn back the clock’ on limitation applying to unfair prejudice petitions.

When does a DBA make sense for a commercial dispute?

Received a letter from West 28th Street? What they mean and what to do next.