Mr Justice Coppel, sitting in the Employment Appeal Tribunal (“EAT”), has today handed down judgment in Al-Ateeqi v Kuwait Investment Authority [2026] EAT 169, dismissing an appeal against the Employment Tribunal’s decision that the Kuwait Investment Authority (“KIA”) was entitled to state immunity in relation to whistleblowing and unfair dismissal claims brought by the former CEO of its London office, the Kuwait Investment Office (“KIO”).

The EAT upheld the Employment Tribunal’s conclusion that appointing the claimant to a post which carried diplomatic status, and dismissing him from it, were acts done in the exercise of sovereign authority.  It also held, obiter, that the KIA’s management of Kuwait’s sovereign wealth funds and State reserves is itself an exercise of sovereign authority.

Claire Darwin KC, leading Philippa Webb KC of Twenty Essex, appeared for the KIA, instructed by Baker McKenzie. Claire also appeared for the KIA at the preliminary hearing before the Employment Tribunal.

The judgment is available here.