Overview
Matthew specialises in international arbitration and public international law. He also advises on non-contentious matters involving the protection of investments under public international law. He has particular expertise in investment treaty arbitrations. Matthew regularly represents parties in proceedings before the English Commercial Court whereby arbitral awards are challenged under the applicable provisions of the English Arbitration Act 1996.
Matthew has conducted numerous international arbitrations, both ad hoc and institutional (including under International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) rules), in cases arising from all major industry sectors, in particular energy, construction and financial services. Much of Matthew’s experience has been gained in emerging markets.
Work highlights
Matthew has led on many significant arbitrations. These include:
- representing the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the annulment of a US$6 billion ICSID award rendered in favour of Tethyan Copper Company Limited, an Australian joint venture vehicle of Antofagasta PLC. The dispute arose out of a mining concession.
- acting for Enagas in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Peru arising out of the unlawful imposition of measures restricting the rights to transfer dividends abroad
- representing an Australian chemicals company in a significant construction arbitration against a Spanish contractor. The matter was being heard in an ICC arbitration and the principal claims related to defective works
- representing a Swiss bank in a LCIA arbitration dispute arising out of the right to terminate under the ISDA Master Agreement following the Russian invasion of Ukraine;
- acting for undertakinga Chinese energy company in an ICC arbitration arising out of pre-emption rights in an oil field joint operating agreement
- representing a South American oil company in an ICC arbitration dispute with another energy company in a dispute arising out of a Joint Operating Agreement relating to the development of a new oil field
Professional experience
Matthew lectures on matters connected to arbitration and public international law. He is co-author of the world’s leading investment arbitration text, International Investment Arbitration: Substantive Principles, published by Oxford University Press (second edition, 2017), together with Professor Campbell McLachlan KC and Laurence Shore.
Education and qualifications
Matthew studied law at Downing College, Cambridge University.
He speaks English, and has some knowledge of French, Spanish and Hebrew.
