Matthew has represented individuals, corporates, states and state entities in disputes in a variety of industry sectors, including energy, oil and gas, hospitality, real estate and construction. He principally practises international commercial arbitration. He has experience of arbitrations conducted under the rules of (among others) the ICC, LCIA and DIAC, and seated in major arbitral centres as well as GCC countries. He has represented clients in disputes under different governing laws, including those of England & Wales, the UAE, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Kenya, the Netherlands and Spain.

Matthew also has substantial experience representing clients in court proceedings related to arbitrations, including obtaining interim relief such as anti-suit injunctions, and acting in proceedings in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of England & Wales to successfully resist the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards on behalf of states and state entities.

Matthew has also advised clients on investigations, fraud and asset-tracing matters, including representing a state in the successful recovery of assets misappropriated by a former regime.

Matthew was formerly senior counsel and acting registrar at the DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre in Dubai. In that role he administered hundreds of commercial arbitrations, as well as mediations and regulatory proceedings, and worked closely with the LCIA Court. As a result, he has a unique insight into and deep knowledge of the practice of international arbitration, which he uses to his clients’ advantage. He has also previously spent time on secondment with a Big Four accounting firm in London and a leading legal consultancy in Nairobi, Kenya.

Matthew is a co-founder of the Virtual Arbitration project, established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage the use of virtual hearings. The project won a Global Arbitration Review special recognition award for its “response to the coronavirus pandemic” in July 2020.