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).

Energy

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.

Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences

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.

Mining and Resources

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.

M&A/PE

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.

Crypto Assets

Hong Kong-seated arbitration – successfully represented one of the world’s largest CEXs in HKIAC arbitration against ultra-high net worth investor, leading to settlement with user abandoning all claims.

Hong Kong-seated arbitration – acted in HKIAC proceedings in highly technical dispute regarding allegations of platform outage and forced liquidations by a large crypto asset exchange.

Hong Kong-seated arbitration – represented one of the most recognizable crypto RWA project teams in relation to HKIAC arbitration proceedings against a contractor.

Hong Kong-seated arbitration – sat as arbitrator (Matthew Townsend) in HKIAC arbitration between leading DAO entity and Korean Gamefi Company.

Singapore-seated arbitration – represented a leading investor of crypto assets in SIAC arbitration proceedings regarding a project.

Singapore-seated arbitration – sat as arbitrator (Matthew Townsend) in SIAC arbitration between cryptasset exchange and investor.

Hong Kong litigation – successfully represented one of the world’s largest CEXs in employment dispute against former employee, leading to settlement on beneficial terms.

Hong Kong litigation – successfully represented one of the world’s leading crypto custodians in dispute over ownership of a CEX, with amount in dispute of approx. US$300m, avoiding liability for client.

UK litigation – successfully represented one of the world’s largest CEXs in UK court proceedings involving an alleged user scam and tracing of crypto assets. Resulted in dismissal of all claims against our client.

Singapore litigation – successfully represented victim of fraud in recovering assets.

Hong Kong mediation – represented one of the largest CEXs globally in mediation proceedings with a user.

Hong Kong mediation – represented a leading CEX in mediation proceedings.

CEX ownership dispute – advised founder in relation to a prospective dispute and negotiated restructuring of one of the world’s largest CEXs, including drafting new constitutional documents for the exchange’s operating entity.

Advice – CEX vendor dispute (analytics) – successfully advised one of the world’s leading CEXs in relation to a dispute with a leading provider of blockchain analytics service, leading to successful settlement.

Advice – CEX vendor dispute (marketing) – advised one of the world’s leading CEXs in relation to a dispute with a with leading vendor in relation to allegations of click-fraud.

Advice – CeFi employment disputes – advised a leading exchange in relation to multiple employment issues and disputes

Advice – DeFi employment dispute – advising one of the world’s most recognizable RWA projects in relation to a dispute and settlement negotiation with a senior employee.

Advice – DeFi Project’s Terms of use – advising the foundation associated with one of the world’s leading DeFi protocols on re-drafting their terms of use.

Advice – Data privacy – advising one of the world’s best-known crypto investment companies on data privacy policies across their over 600 group companies.

Advice – Regulatory and compliance - advising crypto asset clients on global terms of use, dawn raid response; privacy policies, insider trading policies, cross border regulatory questionnaires, compliance trading, regulatory assistance and applications, employment issues, etc..

Construction

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), 2024-2026
Ranked in Chambers Global for China Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms), 2024-2026
Recommended by Who’s Who Legal 2022 as National Leader for Mainland China & Hong Kong SAR – Arbitration, and Arbitration Future Leader (Non-Partners)