Mr Hussein Haeri KC > Withers LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Withers LLP
20 Old Bailey
LONDON
EC4M 7AN
England

Living Wage

Hussein Haeri KC photo

Work Department

International Arbitration and Public International Law

Position

Hussein is a Partner at Withers LLP in London, Head of Public International Law and Co-Head of International Arbitration at the firm. He is also Co-Head of the firm’s Middle East and North Africa Special Interest Group.
Hussein has extensive experience of working on international legal and dispute resolution matters in London, Paris, New York and South Africa for almost 20 years. He has worked as counsel and advocate on arbitrations under all the major rules, including ICSID, UNCITRAL, LCIA, ICC, SCC and SIAC Rules, as well as in ad hoc arbitrations. His clients include governments, multinational corporations and international organisations. He has served as counsel in State-State proceedings before the International Court of Justice and in national courts, including the courts of England and Wales, on public international law issues. Hussein’s public international law practice includes advising governments and international organisations on international investment law, constitutional and human rights matters, sovereign immunity, energy and natural resources, international humanitarian law, sanctions, the law of the sea and treaty and legislation drafting.

Hussein is recognised as a leading lawyer for public international law and international arbitration by all the major legal directories. Chambers and Partners notes that Hussein “has an outstanding analytical ability” and Chambers Global refers to him as “an outstanding lawyer, combining a great attention to detail with a view of the big picture”. Legal 500 states that “the practical and solutions driven Haeri is outstanding” and that “he combines huge intellectual powers with great client handling and gives straight-to-the-point advice”.

In 2024, Hussein was appointed King’s Counsel (the only Solicitor-Advocate to take Silk in that year). He is also a Solicitor-Advocate of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI). In addition to his work as counsel, Hussein also sits as an arbitrator.

Hussein is a Fellow at the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law (University of Cambridge). His is a Senior Fellow on International Investment Law at SOAS, University of London, and a Member of the Management Committee of the SOAS Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Centre (SADRC). He is also a Member of the Faculty at the University of Rome, Roma Tre University, Certificate Course in International Commercial and Investment Arbitration.

Career

Partner

Languages

English, French

Memberships

  • ICC Task Force on Trusts and Arbitration
  • London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
  • LCIA Arab Users’ Council
  • Arbitrator Panellist at Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration

Lawyer Rankings

London > Dispute resolution > Public international law

(Leading partners)

Hussein HaeriWithers LLP

In addition to Withers LLP‘s credentials in state-state and treaty disputes, the practice consistently litigates international law issues in the courts of England and Wales, in relation to sovereign immunity. The ‘fantastic team’ is also experienced in human rights disputes and sanctions. The only Solicitor-Advocate to take silk in 2024, ‘outstanding’ practice head Hussein Haeri KC advises on the gamut of public international law matters, including sovereign immunity issues arising out of the enforcement of judgments and awards against states, as well as The Law of the Sea, human rights, and international sanctions; and former Attorney General of England and Wales, Sir Geoffrey Cox KC, represents states in international disputes. The ‘technically skilled and commercial’ practice additionally showcases Robert Kovacs, a specialist in public international law, international arbitration, and business and human rights; Camilla Gambarini, who represents individuals, companies, states and state-owned entities in international arbitrations involving the energy, aviation, metal, waste management and media sectors; former Member of the UN International Law Commission Aniruddha Rajput; and dual-qualified (Turkey and England and Wales) Ruzin Dagli, whose workload covers the application of treaties, and disputes concerning human rights, sovereign immunity, and international trade and investments.

London > Dispute resolution > International arbitration

(Leading partners)

Hussein Haeri KC – Withers LLP

Withers LLP‘s London team is particularly well known for international arbitration work involving Africa, Asia and the Middle East, along with Russia and CIS countries. The practice is co-led by Hussein Haeri KC, who is ‘a leading figure in international arbitration’, and Eleni Polycarpou, who regularly takes arbitrator appointments. The group further comprises Russia, Ukraine and CIS disputes expert Tatiana Menshenina, disputes head Peter Wood, and commercial arbitration specialist Roberto MoruzziLesley Timms ‘ caseload frequently contains Italian elements, and public international law expert Geoffrey Cox KC and recently-promoted partner Robert Kovacs are other names to note. Camilla Gambarini and Ruzin Dagli are also key figures.