Abdullah Mutawi, head of the international telecoms group at Trowers & Hamlins, advised the telecoms giant Qatar Telecom (Qtel) on its participation in the Asia Cell Consortium, which was awarded a national mobile telecoms licence in Iraq for US$1.25 billion (£62 million). The deal is one of the largest commercial transactions completed in Iraq this year.

What were the main challenges in a deal involving such a volatile country and the most surprising aspects?
The fact that the deal centred on the acquisition of an Iraqi asset raised a number of challenges, some legal and some logistical. Thankfully, the auction for the licence took place in the Jordanian capital Amman, which made it logistically easier for the bid team to attend.

What was your worst day as a lawyer?
In 1996, I spent a few weeks in Iraq working as a volunteer with an NGO documenting the impact of war and sanctions on the civilian population for a report prepared for a number of UN agencies.

One day, as part of an investigative team including journalists from The Guardian, the BBC and the American CBS television network, we visited a teaching hospital near Baghdad to speak to doctors, nurses and patients on conditions in the hospital and the availability of drugs and equipment. While there I saw the death of a teenager that could have been prevented if basic equipment had been available.I also saw electroconvulsive therapy administered to a psychiatric patient without anaesthetic and interviewed an eight-year-old girl traumatised after undergoing an appendectomy without anaesthetic.

What was your most memorable experience as a lawyer?
As an associate at a large City law firm, leading a negotiation against a partner from another respected firm acting for a large financial institution. The parties had arrived with a large gap to bridge and the opening exchanges were somewhat heated. My clients encouraged me to stand my ground on all the key points and, after a marathon 20-hour session in a closed room, all points were conceded in my client’s favour.

Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
My grandfather, who advised me, at the age of 10, to “listen more and talk less”. He was a tenacious and intellectual man, a great debater and negotiator but also an ardent bon viveur and a great parent to his 11 children. Also my parents and my wife Selma.

What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?
Ask yourself what the law means to you and whether you are prepared to give it a large chunk of your life.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Admiring the abilities and personalities of my son Samir and daughter Ma, and rereading the novels of my wife.

l_tsang@hotmail.com

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