Interview with Jehad Mustafa, Dispute Resolution Partner

We interviewed Jehad Mustafa, a partner in Farrer & Co’s Dispute Resolution team, known for advising states, embassies, individuals and companies on sensitive and complex litigation and dispute prevention and resolution.

What do you believe are the key qualities that make a great lawyer?

I'm fortunate to have worked with some outstanding lawyers during my career. They all had a combination of resilience, intelligence and determination. But they could also be eccentric, and would often be obsessive about their work, so maybe that is just as important.

How do you see the field of immunity evolving in the next few years, and what trends should clients be aware of?

The current trend is that immunity protections are being eroded for States and diplomats, particularly in the English courts. Perhaps this is because too much significance is being given to the justice of the case, whereas most immunities disputes are about the appropriateness of the forum.

Fundamentally, it is essential to have an international rules-based order that is stable and predictable. By eroding immunities, the courts risk damaging the UK's place at the heart of a carefully constructed global system, which we all need to function properly.

If you could litigate any historical or fictional dispute - whether between world leaders, or even mythical beings - who would it be, and how would you approach resolving it?

I would like to have a go at defending Catilina against Cicero. Perhaps my submissions could ultimately have saved the Republic. Elsewhere, a more diligent approach to disclosure could have led to the acquittal of Joan of Arc, which would be a career highlight.

What excites you most about joining the disputes team at Farrers?

Working with high quality lawyers, on great cases in a wonderfully collegiate atmosphere where individuality and diversity is respected, and innovation is encouraged. And I hear that the departmental head makes an excellent Santa at the Christmas party.

What’s one surprising fact about immunity law that most people might not know?

During WWII, Winston Churchill's cigars were brought to London from Havana, via New York, by the diplomatic pouch, arguably a questionable use of the privileges conferred by public international law.

What’s the most interesting or memorable case you’ve worked on (without breaching confidentiality, of course!)?

I spent six years acting for Croatia in the Swiss franc loan arbitrations before the World Bank's arbitral institution, ICSID. These were also known as the "Francogeddon cases". I appeared as an advocate in several of the arbitrations dotted around the world. I have fond memories of working with the Government lawyers and members of the public who were the witnesses in these extraordinary matters.

How do you unwind after a challenging case? Any hobbies or hidden talents?

I'm a little obsessed by travel. I'm lucky enough to have been to over 80 countries and am usually in the process of planning a trip or looking for recommendations. If anyone would like to talk to me about travel, I will listen all day. My favourite place is probably Uruguay. It’s a beautiful country with amazing food. And somewhat unexpectedly we found ourselves as the only other guests staying in the same hotel as the Rolling Stones, who were playing a stadium concert in Montevideo at the time. The hotel had forgotten to cancel our booking and so I spent two days trying to bump into Keith Richards, alas with no success.

If you weren’t working in law, what career would you have pursued?

Travel agent.

© Farrer & Co LLP, October 2024