Garrod's swift appointment is recognition of his expertise in public international law, extraterritorial jurisdiction, state immunity and complex cross-border litigation.

Dr Matthew Garrod, Associate Professor in Law at the University of Sussex, has been appointed to a team of legal experts in the case Exxon Mobil Corp. v Corporación Cimex, S.A., which is to be heard by the United States Supreme Court.

The case concerns whether the Helms-Burton Act allows Exxon to sue a Cuban state-owned company for assets nationalized in 1960, or if foreign sovereign immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act still applies.

Professor Amir Paz-Fuchs, Head of the Sussex Law School, said:

“Matt’s contribution places our department at the heart of a globally significant judicial process and showcases the calibre of scholarship and real-world impact within our academic community.”

The high profile case has significant implications for potentially billions of dollars in claims from American companies against Cuban entities for confiscated property and, more broadly, for claims by American companies against British ones. 

Dr Garrod was approached directly by the Cuban Embassy last week and his appointment has already been formally approved - recognition of Garrod’s expertise in public international law, extraterritorial jurisdiction, state immunity, and complex cross-border litigation.

Dr Garrod said:

“I feel honoured and privileged to have been appointed to work on a case of such magnitude, the ramifications of which could last for generations to come – and for being part of a team of some of the most talented legal experts in the world.

“To be involved in a case before the United States Supreme Court will be a first for me and, as far as I am aware, for the Sussex Law School. I think it is a good indicator of our influence globally.”

See more details on the Supreme Court case docket