Matthew Townsend

Matthew is a partner in Reed Smith and is based in our Hong Kong office as a foreign lawyer (England & Wales) in the disputes practice.

He is described as follows:

“a rising star in international arbitration” (Who’s Who Legal Arbitration)
a “very impressive individual” who “excels in … advocacy and case management” (Legal 500)
“commercially-minded” with “ability to advise on complex disputes in a practical and solutions-driven manner." (Chambers & Partners)

Experience

Representative matters

Singapore-seated UNCITRAL arbitration – represented Claimant in relation to dispute concerning an offshore Oil & Gas project in Asia. Amount in dispute exceeded US$300 million.

Advised international Oil & Gas company - provided advice regarding anticipated ICC proceedings against contractor in relation to design and development of an offshore Oil & Gas facility. Assignment included spending a secondment in client’s offices on site. Amount in dispute exceeded US$500 million.

China-seated CIETAC arbitrations – successfully represented subsidiaries to a Chinese SOE claimant in series of disputes valued at approximately US$100 million including commenced or anticipated arbitration proceedings conducted under CIETAC rules. The disputes concerned the purchase of Certified Emission Reductions under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

Singapore-seated UNCITRAL arbitration – represented Claimant in relation to dispute concerning an offshore Oil & Gas project in Asia. Amount in dispute exceeded US$300 million.

Hong Kong-seated HKIAC arbitration – successfully represented Claimant in relation to a dispute concerning distribution rights in the PRC. Amount in dispute exceeded RMB550 million.

Hong Kong –seated HKIAC arbitration – representing Claimant in relation to a dispute relating to a Mongolian mining venture. Amount in dispute exceeds US$40 million.

Hong Kong-seated HKIAC arbitration – represented Claimant in a dispute regarding the design, refit and delivery of a captive diesel power station to a mining project in Indonesia. Amount in dispute was US$35 million.

China-seated CIETAC and SCIA arbitrations – represented client, including acting as advocate, in proceedings conducted pursuant to an arbitration clause affected by the 2012 split between CIETAC and its former sub-commissions in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Case involved a full three day hearing in which Matthew acted as sole advocate for Claimant and successful med-arb procedure.

Hong Kong-seated emergency arbitration proceedings – represented successful respondent in HKIAC emergency arbitration proceedings brought against them in relation to a failed US$1.3 billion take-private transaction. This case involved the first ever Emergency Arbitration to proceed to an oral hearing and an award under the new (2013) HKIAC rules.

Hong Kong –seated HKIAC arbitration – successfully representing PE Claimant in relation to an exit from a Mongolian mining venture investment. Amount in dispute exceeded US$40 million. The client subsequently commented to a legal directory that Matthew provided “excellent honest advice as to costs”.

Hong Kong –seated HKIAC arbitrations – successfully representing PE Claimant in relation to two separate arbitrations relating to an exit from a Chinese technology investment. Amount in dispute exceeded US$20 million, and Matthew helped obtain freezing injunctions against the counterparty in the Chinese courts. This enabled the client to settle on beneficial terms.

Expert determination procedure and associated HKIAC and CIETAC arbitrations –represented client in a post completion dispute arising out of the sale of a number of businesses in China involved in the manufacture of child products. Amount in dispute exceeded US$40 million.

Advised leading crypto asset custodian in relation to a high-value arbitration-related litigation (up to US$250m) related to disputed ownership of a CEX.

Advised on US$80m dispute involving anticipated Hong Kong-seated arbitration and numerous ancillary proceedings in the UAE.

Represented one of the world’s largest CEXs by volume providing ongoing legal advice and representation in a series of different mediations and arbitrations in a number of jurisdictions (total amount in dispute in excess of US$100m).

Advised a leading DeFi protocol in relation to Singapore-seated arbitration proceedings commenced after exploit of the operator’s protocol.

Beijing-seated CIETAC arbitration – part of a team representing claimant in arbitration conducted under UNCITRAL rules concerning a dispute, valued at over US$40 million regarding the alleged misappropriation of licensed process technology in China.

Stockholm-seated SCC arbitration – part of a team representing a claimant in a licensing dispute between Chinese and US parties valued at over US$100 million in relation to technology employed in the construction of a number of power plants in China, greater Asia and Europe.

Dubai-seated DIAC arbitration – part of team acting for UAE developer in a dispute with a main contractor regarding claims for extensions of time and variations in relation to the construction of a residential housing complex in Dubai.

Dubai-seated DIAC arbitration – part of team acting for a contractor in a dispute with an employer regarding the termination of a contract for construction of a mixed-use development in Dubai. Received an award in our client's favour on all claims, together with an award of all our client's costs.

Recognitions

Ranked in Chambers Greater China Region / Asia Pacific for China Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms), 2024-2025
Ranked in Chambers Global for China Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms), 2024-2025
Recommended by Who’s Who Legal 2022 as National Leader for Mainland China & Hong Kong SAR – Arbitration, and Arbitration Future Leader (Non-Partners)