Many international arbitration specialists might regard complex cross-border issues and cultural differences as necessary evils of their chosen field. For Salah, they’re a key part of the appeal. His practice is built on intellectual curiosity: it has enabled him to learn his way to specialist status in sectors ranging from M&A/private equity to cryptocurrencies to gas/renewable energy, and to represent clients under all leading arbitration institutional rules (ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, DIAC, LMAA, SIAC, HKIAC, SCC, ICDR, UNCITRAL, ICSID) and beyond.
His success in practice depends both on a thorough understanding of his clients’ commercial imperatives, and the broader cultural factors which might shape a dispute. Acting for businesses, state officials and high-net-worth individuals all over the world has required him to get to grips with diverse jurisdictions and the geopolitical forces that shape them.
Over years of leading small teams, he has finessed a lean and agile working style which enables KEMP to punch well above its weight in complex international disputes. Acting for clients opposite heavily-staffed Big Law counsel has underlined the truth of the mantra about quality over quantity – he credits his focused, efficient approach with achieving the best possible resolution for clients.
Salah is also actively involved in litigation matters in dubai international financial centre (difc) courts and abu dhabi global market (adgm) courts. Salah has full rights of audience to appear before the DIFC and ADGM Courts. He has appeared as a lead counsel in over 15 cases in the DIFC and ADGM Courts.
Besides his commercial and investment treaty arbitration work, Salah also has a public international law practice; representing government actors has given him an insight into the sensitivities at play in state-level legal work. Salah served as a Counsel to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the Nuclear Disarmament Case before the ICJ.
On top of his responsibilities as Co-Head of KEMP’s international arbitration practice, Salah finds time to publish and is sought-after as a lecturer on arbitration matters, both at UK and Asian universities and on the conference circuit.
Salah’s philosophy of dispute resolution is simple and 100% commercially-minded: adopt the best strategy to bring about an outcome that enables his client to keep their focus where it should be.
I would like to single out and applaud Salah Mattoo for his commercial understanding of settlement mechanisms at play in the course of arbitration and mediation, especially when there are cultural barriers that are affecting outcomes.
Legal 500 2020, client
Salah Mattoo's Expertise
Experience
M.B KEMP LLP, London
Partner
July 2021 – Present
Winston & Strawn (London) LLP
UK
Senior Attorney
2017 - 2021
Education and Admissions
University of California
Berkeley
BA, 2002
London School of Economics
LLM, 2008
London School of Economics
LLB, 2006
Admissions
England and Wales
Interview
What sets you apart as a lawyer?
My passion for international arbitration: I am both practically and intellectually immersed in my field. I invest a lot of time in learning about regional differences and nuances in geo-politics, economics, history and culture. This allows me to develop meaningful relationships with business entities, high-net-worth individuals, and government officials all over the world. And that helps us as a firm to serve our clients globally with trust, understanding and dedication.
What’s the best part of your job?
Assisting commercial clients to resolve disputes swiftly and efficiently, so that they can focus on their core businesses. It is a privilege to learn about different industry sectors and contracts which govern global movement of capital, trade and investment. Essentially, we have a ringside seat for globalisation in action: we operate in an interdependent commercial world bound by cooperation, competition and constant collaboration.
What do you honestly love about life in London?
The city’s cultural diversity and cosmopolitan character, which manifests through its literature, complex history, vibrant arts and theatre, unique architecture, and its rich culinary treats (mostly non-British!)
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